CJA 790: Survey Research Methods and Statistics 

Instructor : Bryan Man Email:bman@chaminade.edu 
Phone/fax: 735-4850/739-4614 (coversheet required) Office: Behavioral Sciences #113 
Office Hours: By Appointment 
Course Prerequisites: CJA 606. 
Description: 

Winter 2008      
Thursday 5:30-9:40 p.m.
              H 121 

Advanced methods and statistics used in survey research. Emphasis is placed on sampling, the development and analysis of questions, scales, and indexes. Students are expected to design and conduct a survey research project, to include questionnaire construction, sampling, data gathering, statistical analysis, and writing of the research paper. 
Student Learning Outcomes: 
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have a demonstrable understanding of: 
1.	The principles of questionnaire construction; 
2.	Various types probability and non-probability survey sampling; 
3.	Measurement issues of reliability and validity; 
4.	Advanced multivariate statistics, such as multiple regression; 
5.	The interpretation of the results of multivariate statistical modeling; and 
6.	How to make policy recommendations from survey research outcomes. 
Text: Nardi, Peter M. 2006. Doing Survey Research: A Guide to Quantitative Methods. Boston: 
Allyn and Bacon. 
Additional readings will also be distributed during the term. 
Grading 
•	Final Paper: You have a final paper requirement for this course, as well as a final presentation based upon your work. Your final paper, a research report based on your survey research project, will be graded primarily on the following: 1) form or structure of the content, deemed appropriate for journal publications; 2) coverage of the literature in the field or topic area; 3) research design, to include measurement considerations, sampling, data analysis and interpretation; and 4) a conclusion that ties the research findings to the research hypothesis or research questions, and theory. However, you will also be graded on the overall quality of the paper, including readability, grammar, structure, and punctuation. Evidence of plagiarism will result in automatic F on the paper. Following are characteristics for grades on your paper: 
=> A paper: An A paper is one in which there are few, if any, errors. This paper will contain all of the required components, and will have engaged existing research literature in a critical and constructive manner. Additionally, the research question or hypothesis to be tested will be logically connected to the survey questions and sampling method. This 

paper is one in which you have clearly demonstrated that you understand how to collect data in order to answer a research question, is well written at the graduate level, and is mainly free of any errors in writing. 
~ B paper: this paper will cover the basic requirements of the assignment, yet is not as clear and cohesive as an A paper. In other words, while the basic requirements may be present, the logical connections and flow are not as evident. Additionally, this paper has some problems with grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, or word usage. 
~ C paper: this paper will cover the basic requirements of the assignment, yet contains serious problems with cohesiveness, especially as it pertains to demonstration that you understand the assignment and research methodology. Also, this paper is likely to be written below a level that is accepted for graduate work. 
~ D paper: this paper is one that is not well written, and in which there is little demonstration that you understood the requirements of the assignment. Additionally, a paper will be considered a D if it is virtually impossible to read due to grammar, spelling, and sentence structure errors. 
~ F paper: this paper is one that contains little or no requirements of the assignment or is so poorly written that it cannot be read. Additionally, any evidence of plagiarism will result in an automatic F in the final paper. 
•	Weekly assignments: Weekly assignments will be given in class each week and are expected back the following week. No late assignments will be accepted. Each assignment is worth a total possible 10 points, for a total of 100 possible points toward your final grade. Missing, incomplete, or poorly completed assignments will negatively impact your grade. 
•	Participation in Survey Project: This is a graduate level course in survey research methods. 
As such, one of the requirements of this course is that you construct a sound survey, administer that survey, as well as analyze and interpret the data. Although surveys may be conducted in groups, you are expected to analyze your data and write your own paper. 
•	Class Attendance and participation: As an accelerated graduate research course, you are expected to both come to class as well as participate. As such, both of these factors are computed in your final grade. In addition, you may not miss more than ONE class. If you miss TWO or more classes, you will be administratively withdrawn from the course and you must wait to retake this required course. Plan on coming to class on time and staying for the entire course. Coming late and leaving early could constitute an absence from class. 
Final course grades will be computed as follows: 

Class Attendance and Participation Weekly Assignments 
Survey Construction and Administration Research Report 
Presentation
Total: 

50 points 100 points 50 points 150 points 50 points 400 points 

Grade point distribution: 
A = 90% of total points (360-400 points) 	B = 80% of total points (320-359 points) 
C = 70% of total points (280-319 points) 	D = 60% of total points (240-279 points) 
F = 59% of total points or below (239 points and below) 

CLASS SCHEDULE 
	Week One I January 10, 2008:    Introduction to the course. Discussion of course requirements, 
guidelines, and expectations. Discussion of survey research projects and final papers. 
• Assignments 
•	Assignment 1 (10 points, due 1/17) 
•	Firm research topic due 1/17 for approval 
• Other 
•	Develop research question or hypothesis 
•	Create survey groups (if desired) 
•	IRB Process (Paperwork and Sensitive Topics) 
•	Literature Review Timelines 
•	Sources - 12 peer reviewed articles or books 
Week Two I January 17, 2008: Rationales and topics for research. Designing research - issues of measurement and hypotheses. 
• Reading 
•	Nardi - Chapters 1, 2 & 3 
•	Hawkins, M. J., Gray, C. & Hawkins, W. E. (1995). Gender differences of reported safer sex behaviors within a random sample of college students. Psychological Reports, 77, 963-968. 
•	Adamson, G., O’Kane, D., & Shelvin, M. (2005). Students’ ratings of teaching effectiveness: A laughing matter? Psychological Reports, 96, 225-226.
• Assignments 
•	Assignment 2 (10 points, due 1/24) 
•	Assignment 3 (10 points, due 1/24) 
• Other 
o Topic Approval & Begin Literature Review 
Week Three I January 24, 2008: Questionnaire Construction. 
• Reading 
•	Nardi - Chapter 4 
•	Harkrader, M. A. & Moore, R. (1997). Literature preferences of fourth-graders. Reading Research and Instruction, 36, 325-339.
Price, J. H. & Everett, S. (1997). A national assessment of secondary school principals’ perceptions of violence in schools. Health Education & Behavior, 24, 218-229.
Assignments 
o Assignment 4 (10 points, due 1/31) 
• Other 
•	Handout - Guidelines and Checklist 
•	Sample Surveys 

Week Four I January 31, 2008: Sampling Techniques. 
• Reading 
•	Nardi - Chapter 5 
•	 Saad, L. (February, 2000). Most working women deny gender discrimination in their pay. The Gallup Poll Monthly, 413, 35-36. 
•	Valencia, E. Y. & Johnson, V. (2006). Latino students in North Carolina: Acculturation, perceptions of school environment, and academic aspirations. Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 28, 350-367. 
   Assignments 
•	Assignment 5 (10 points, due 2/7) 
•	Draft survey due this day at start of class. Have enough copies to pilot your survey to the class. 
Week Five I February 7, 2008: SPSS and descriptive statistics. 
• Reading 
•	Nardi - Chapter 6 (10 points, due August 8) 
•	Garrison, A. H. (2006). “I missed the bus”; School grade transition, the Wilmington Truancy Center, and reasons youth don’t go to school. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 4, 204-212. 
• Assignments 
•	Assignment 6 (10 points, due 2/14, at mailbox in the CJ Office) 
•	Revised survey and IRB paperwork due at start of class this day. 
•	Draft introduction and literature review due this day at start of class. (Note: even if only an outline and list of at least 12 peer reviewed sources.) 
• Other 
•	Bivariate Statistics (Nardi, Ch. 7)
Week Six I February 14, 2008: SPSS and bivariate statistics. 
• Reading 
•	Nardi - Chapter 7 
•	Hampes, W. P. (2005). Correlations between humor styles and loneliness. Psychological Reports, 96, 747-750.
•	Adamson et al. (2005).  
• Assignments 
•	Assignment 7 (10 points, due 2/21) 
•	Data collection 

Week Seven I February 21, 2008: SPSS and means comparisons. 
• Reading 
•	Nardi - Chapter 8 
•	Page, R. M. & Allen, O. (1995). Adolescent perceptions of body weight and weight satisfaction. Perception and Motor Skills, 81, 81-82. 
• Assignments 
•	Data Collection 
•	Assignment 8 (10 points, due 2/28) 
•	Assignment 9 (10 points, due 2/28) 
Week Eight I February 28, 2008: SPSS and multivariate analysis. 
• Reading 
•	Nardi - Chapter 9 
•	McCarthy, B. & Hagan, J. (1992). Mean streets: The theoretical significance of situational delinquency among homeless youths. American Journal of Sociology, 93, no. 3, 597-627.
•	Hay, C. (2003). Family strain, gender, and delinquency. Sociological perspectives, 46, no. 1, 107-135.
• Assignments 
•	Assignment 10 (10 points, due 3/6) 
•	Bring survey data to class in SPSS format 
Week Nine I March 6, 2008: Interpretation and presentation of research results. 
• Reading 
o Nardi - Chapter 10 
• Assignments 
o Make sure to bring SPSS data to class 
• MSCJA Review and Assessment 
Week Ten I March 13, 2008: 
•	Final papers due. Presentations on research papers. FINAL PAPERS DUE TODAY - NO EXCEPTIONS! 

Additional readings and exercises may supplement or replace these assignments. The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus. Any change will be announced in class. 
Chaminade University and MSCJA program policy requires graduate students to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students whose graduate GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and given two terms to bring their GPA up to an acceptable 3.0 or higher level. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the MSCJA program. Students will be allowed to repeat only two (2) courses. After a third "C" grade, the student will be dismissed from the program.