COURSE SYLLABUS, SPRING 2004

SO/AN 317: SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS & EVALUATION
Tripler AMC, Bldg. 102, Sat, 12:30-4:40 pm

 

Fred Magdalena, Ph.D.

Adjunct Faculty, Chaminade University

[email protected] or [email protected]

Tel (808) 944-6263 (eve) or 956-6086 (day)

 

Course Description                                               

 

This course is an introduction to the methods and techniques of social research and evaluation, guided by the logic of scientific inquiry. The focus here is on how the course may be utilized as a problem-solving device as well as in aid of identifying ways by which certain social issues are resolved through empirical verification. But we can’t solve such problems unless we understand them, and have the information at the tips of our fingers to deal with them. Thus, the course will help provide for us many of the answers to these puzzling questions. Here, we shall examine the research process following the scientific model as one flowing from inquiry, how this inquiry is structured, the modes of observation, data analysis and technical report writing. Students are provided with ample opportunity to assimilate and practice conduct of simple research, and be able to conceptualize and develop a viable research project.

 

Goals

 

1. To introduce students to the process of research and evaluation in the social sciences using the logic of scientific analysis
2. To understand and appreciate the value of research and evaluation as a mode of acquiring knowledge about the world
3. To develop skills in research and evaluation in aid of understanding situations by getting practical answers to important issues, events and processes by scientific means
4. To use research and evaluation techniques to make a difference in the way we handle everyday life situations and help make our world a “better” place to live in
5. At the end of the semester, students are expected to have learned techniques in the actual conduct of research and evaluation, develop critical and logical thinking to link theory and practice of research, ability to write a technical report, and prepare a viable research proposal or project.

 

Required Textbook:  Earl Babbie, The Basics of Social Research. US: Wadsworth-Thomson Learning. 2nd ed. 2002 (http://www.wadsworth.com/); also T. Wagenaar & E. Babbie, Study Guide for the Basics of Social Research, 2^nd ed. A useful companion volume to prepare for the exam. Also, pay heed to the URLs provided by Babbie at the end of each chapter as supplementary, if brief, resources. You may also scan the net using a search engine (http://www.google.com/, http://www.yahoo.com/, etc.) for brief explanations of some important concepts used in research.

 

Supplementary Readings

 

*Adams, Gerald R. and Jay D. Schvaneveldt.  Understanding Research Methods, 2^nd ed. New York & London: Longman, 1991.

 

*Blalock, Ann Bonar and Hubert Blalock, Jr. Introduction to Social Research. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1982.

 

Creswell, John W.. Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Sage Pub., 1994.

 

Grosof, Miriam Schapiro & Hyman Sardy. A Research Primer for the Social and Behavioral Sciences. San Diego: Academic Press, 1985.

 

*Williams, Malcolm. Making Sense of Social Research. London: Sage Pub. 2003.

 

Internet Resources: The internet also contains several materials and documents which can be downloaded (free of charge) and printed, many of these are provided in the text and by using appropriate search engines (http://www.google.com/, http://www.yahoo.com/, etc.).

 

*Highly recommended readings to complement the text

 

Method:

 

The course uses a combination of lectures, readings, examinations and class reports. The basic requirements are these: (1) Two 1-2 hr class examinations at the middle and end of the semester; (2) One term paper (major paper); (3) Two reaction papers based on a topic discussed or else a chapter in the text; (4) One oral presentation in class using a reading or some other sources (must be approved by instructor); (5) Interest/active participation in class, and (6) at least 70% attendance (meaning, 3 excused absences) in class sessions.

 

Aside from being indicated in the syllabus, other activities and requirements are announced in class.  Those who miss them may visit my URL (http://www.geocities.com/fred_magdalena) for these announcements and other important postings. Occasionally, I will also post some materials here for you to download.  For example, this syllabus may be accessed and printed directly from the internet using this address: http://www.geocities.com/fred_magdalena/soc317-syl-04.html.

 

The term paper is a written work based on an instructor-approved topic 8-15 pages in length. It may or may not be derived from the oral class report;  if it is, make sure to incorporate more ideas with proper documentation in the bibliography.  The term paper is different from the reaction paper, the latter being a 3-6 page critical analysis of a theory or sociological concept (not necessarily approved by instructor). Writing a paper follows a standard style, such as the APA (http://www.docstyles.com/apacrib.htm) or ASA (http://www.calstatela.edu/library/bi/rsalina/asa.styleguide.html) style manual  or some other standard styles.  For the oral class presentation, each student will be given the opportunity to select a topic or chapter from the reading and discuss it before the class for 15-20 minutes, the presenter providing every class member with a 1-2 page abstract.  Group papers are not allowed. Finally, you should be able to attend at least seven out of ten class sessions in order to make the grade. For absences to be excused, a written justification must be given before incurring one, or by sending me an email within 3 days after it is incurred. If, for any reason, you are unable to come during the mid-term and final examinations, please inform me well ahead of time.

 

Grading:

 

Grading is determined as follows: Two examinations (40%); one term paper to be submitted at the last meeting during the semester (25%);  two reaction papers (15%); one brief oral report in class (10%); class attendance, interest/active participation in class (10%). Grades are calculated from your weighted scores as follows:

 

91-100%=A (Excellent)

81-90%  =B

71-80%  =C

61-70%  =D (Passing)

00-60%  =F (Failed)

 

 

Important dates to Remember

 

May 1 - 1^st Reaction paper due (in hard copy, typed; email not accepted)

May 15 - Mid-term exam

May 29 - 2^nd Reaction paper due (in hard copy, typed; email not accepted)

June 12 - Term paper (paper in hard copy, typed; email not accepted); Final exam

 

 

Class Session and Schedule

 

April 10 – Introduction- Human inquiry and science: Reality and its construction, science and the scientific method of inquiry, dialectics of social research, research and evaluation in aid of decision making and acquiring knowledge,  Ch. 1 (Unless specified, Chapters are those of Babbie). See also Williams, Ch. 1; Blalock & Blalock, Ch. 1.

 

April 17 – Paradigms, theory and research. Role of theory or hypothesis, formulating an applicable theory and testable hypothesis; Ethics and politics of research Chs. 1-2. See also Blalock & Blalock, Ch. 2 and Williams, Ch. 2.

 

April 24 – Structuring of Inquiry – Purposes of research, types of research design, units of analysis, designing a research project, writing up the proposal, Ch 4. Also see Williams, Ch. 5, 9; Blalock & Blalock, Ch. 4.

 

May 1 – Conceptualization, operationalization and measurement, Ch. 5. Indexes, scales and typologies, Reliability and validity, Ch. 6. Logic of sampling, Ch. 7. See also Adams & Schvaneveldt, Section 3, Chs. 8-9; Blalock & Blalock, Ch. 3. 1^st Reaction paper due

 

May 8 – Modes of Observation – Experiments (Chs 8). See also Adams & Schvaneveldt, Chs. 6-7.

 

May 15 – Mid-term examination.

 

May 22 – Survey Research, Qualitative Field Research (Ch 9-10).

 

May 29 – Unobtrusive Research, and Evaluation Research, Chs. 11-12.  See also Adams & Schvaneveldt, Ch. 15. 2^nd Reaction paper due (hard copy, typed)

 

June 5 –  Quantitative and qualitative research. Chs. 13-14. See also Creswell (selected Chs), Williams, Ch. 7.

 

June 12 – Winding up, linking theory and practice. Submission of major papers (hard copy, typed), and final examination. Late submission of paper or non-taking of the final exam is not accepted, unless under extremely meritorious situation. Make-up exams and late papers are scored 10% less each day past the deadline (no exceptions!).