LIS 570:  Research Methods for Library and Information Science

Schedule
   (updated 6/3)

Spring 2002

Assignments

  Monday 4:30 pm - 8:20 pm    Location:  MGH 251

Seminars

Instructor:  Harry Bruce 

Standards for
Course Grades

email: harryb@u.washington.edu    office: MGH 370

SPSS Resources

 

Course Overview

Description

  This course introduces students to a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods used in the social sciences and in library and information science. The course aims to engender an appreciation for the research process. Problem selection, study design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation are emphasized. Students will apply their knowledge by designing and conducting a pilot research study. Research issues such as ethics, differing views of reality, the roles of the researcher and the establishment of knowledge claims will be introduced.


Objectives

  On completion of LIS 570 students will be able to:
 

1. identify ways in which research can inform professional practice

2. understand basic concepts, methods, terminology and definitions, in qualitative and quantitative research

3. evaluate the quality of questionnaires, interview schedules and other data collection methods

4. select an appropriate research design and carry out a small research study

5. organise, describe, present and interpret data

6. use a data analysis software package

7. understand descriptive and some inferential statistics.


Text

             Bouma, Gary D. The Research Process. Third Edition. Melbourne: Oxford University press, 1996.
             Chapters 1-4 are available on U.W. Library's Electronic Reserves.


Recommended Purchase

             De Vaus, D.A. Surveys in Social Research. Fourth Edition. St. Leonards, NSW Allen & Unwin, 1995.
             Chapters 8-10 are available on U.W. Library's Electronic Reserves.


Assessment Overview

  1. Seminar and Seminar Paper 35%

Each student will present a seminar on a research design or research method. The presentation will be peer-assessed.

2. Research Study and Report 65% Due date: End of quarter

Students will develop and conduct a small scale research study and report the results. It is recommended that this work be done in small groups of 3-4 students. The research study will include a qualitative research component (focus groups or individual open-ended interviews) and a quantitative component.

Please use every opportunity to consult with me. I am happy to meet with students to discuss class work and course requirements. The course is structured by lectures, presentations and workshops that introduce the concepts and topics covered. Attendance at all classes is considered essential for an acceptable standard of achievement. All assessment work must be submitted on the due date. In cases where sickness, accident or other serious misadventure occurs, you should discuss the matter with me prior to the due date. Appropriate written documentation must be supplied.



Schedule
 

Week

  Date

Topic

Presentations

Reading

Class Activity & Homework

1. 4/1/02 Introduction to the subject - Ways of knowing and the research process.
 
Presentation # 1
View HTML
Download PowerPoint

 
Bouma
Chapters 1, 2
available on
Electronic Reserve
Activity 1: Hypothetical Situation

Homework 1: 
Research Article (due 4/8)
2. 4/8/02 Research design - the first steps
 
Presentation # 2
View HTML
Download PowerPoint

 
Bouma
Chapters 3, 4
available on
Electronic Reserve

 

Activity 2:  Hypothetical Situation, Part 2 
3. 4/15/02 Measurement - levels; quality
 
Presentation # 3
View HTML
Download PowerPoint

 
Bouma
Chapter 5
available on
Electronic Reserve
 
4. 4/22/02 Qualitative research methods; Ethics in human research
 
Presentation # 4
View HTML
Download PowerPoint
Bouma
Chapters 10, 11
available on
Electronic Reserve

 

Activity 3:  Human Subjects and Ethics

Homework 2: Review Human Subjects Forms (due 4/29)

5. 4/29/02 Measurement - selecting a sample
 
Presentation # 5
View HTML
Download PowerPoint
Bouma
Chapter 7
available on
Electronic Reserve

 
Activity 4:  Selecting a Sample
 
6. 5/6/02 Methods of observation - collecting data; Pre-testing the data collection method; Research designs;
Seminar presentations
 
Presentation # 6
View HTML
Download PowerPoint
Bouma
Chapters 6, 8
available on
Electronic Reserve

 
 
7. 5/13/02 Analysis of data - univariate;
Seminar presentations
 
Presentation # 7

Download PowerPoint
part 1, part 2

 
Bouma
Chapter 9

 
Activity 5:  Critique Research Questions
8. 5/20/02 Analysis of data - bi-variate;
Seminar presentations
 

Presentation # 8

Download PowerPoint
part 1, part 2

 

De Vaus
Chapters 8, 9, 10
available on
Electronic Reserve
 
9. 5/27/02 Memorial Day Holiday
 
   
10. 6/3/02 Interpreting data and drawing conclusions
 
Presentation
by Miao Jin

Download PowerPoint
Slides updated on 6/3.
Bouma
Chapters 12, 13
on
Electronic Reserve
Activity 6:  Data Analysis in SPSS


Standards for Course Grades

 

Numerical Grade

Interpretive Statement

4.0 Excellent and exceptional work for a graduate student; work at this level is creative, thorough, well reasoned, insightful, well written, and shows clear recognition and an incisive understanding of the salient issues. Work of good professional quality.
3.7  Strong work for a graduate student; although not quite of good professional quality, work at this level shows some signs of creativity, is thorough and well reasoned, and demonstrates clear recognition and good understanding of the salient issues.
3.3 Competent and sound work for a graduate student; well reasoned and thorough, but not especially creative or insightful (or creativity is poorly developed); shows adequate understanding of the issues, although that understanding may be somewhat incomplete. This is the graduate student grade that indicates neither exceptional strengths nor exceptional weakness; hence it is the grade for "standard" graduate student performance.
3.0  Adequate work for a graduate student; moderately thorough and well reasoned, but some indication that understanding of the important issues is less than complete and perhaps inadequate in other respects, but the work is above the minimal expectations for the course.
2.7 Borderline work for a graduate student; barely meets the minimal expectations for the course; understanding of salient issues is incomplete and overall performance, if consistently at this level, would be below the level of adequate graduate level performance.

Download the course overview and schedule for printing.

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