Research II: Quantitative MethodsA=90 or more pointsF= 0 - 59 pointsDescriptionText / ReadingsPRELIMINARY DRAFT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK Course Number: SW388R2 Instructor’s name: Allen Rubin Unique Number: 62050 Office Number: SSW 3.130E Semester: Spring 2003 Office Phone: 471-9218 Meeting Time/Place: SSW 2.130 Tues, 8:30AM to 11:30AM Office Hours: Mon, 1:30-2:30 Tues, 3:30-5:30 Also by appointment Research II: Quantitative Methods I. Standardized Course Description This research seminar attempts to equip students with the knowledge and competence in quantitative research methods that they will need in order to conduct future independent research activities aimed at increasing the social work knowledge base. The course is designed to pick up where the first doctoral research seminar leaves off and focuses largely on the application of concepts learned in the first seminar. In line with the research production thrust of the course, it involves a heavy experiential component, in which much class time will be devoted to critiquing student projects. The expectation is that you will learn primarily by applying what you studied "by doing," by receiving critical feedback on what you've done and by attempting to improve your performance in light of that feedback. II. Standardized Course Objectives By the end of the semester students will be able to: 1. Conduct independent research; 2. Write methodologically sound research proposals on important research topics; 3. Write publishable research articles; 4. Develop methodologically sound measurement instruments based on empirical item analyses, and test their reliability and validity; 5. Provide and incorporate constructive critical feedback to and from colleagues regarding their colleagues’ or their own research activities. III. Teaching Methods Instruction methods will primarily involve experientially learning via in-class critiquing of individualized student research projects. In addition, lectures and class discussions will cover several areas not covered in the first research seminar. IV. Recommended Texts Rubin, A. & Babbie, E. (2001). Research Methods for Social Work, Fourth Edition. Pacific Grove, CA: Wadsworth, Inc. V. Class Policies - 1 -All written assignments are to be typed in double space, and enough copies should be submitted for each student and the instructor to have a copy. No excuses for late submission. If not submitted on time, students will be penalized as indicated in the “Assignments” section of this syllabus. E-mail submissions are encouraged. The University’s policies on scholastic dishonesty are identified in General Information of the University of Texas at Austin. Scholastic dishonesty in this course may result in a grade of F in the course and a report to the Doctoral Committee and Graduate School. Persons with Disabilities: Any student with a documented disability (physical or cognitive) who requires academic accommodations should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities area of the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259 (voice) or 471-4641 (TTY for users who are deaf or hard of hearing) as soon as possible to request an official letter outlining authorized accommodations. Safety: As part of professional social work education, students may have assignments that involve working in agency settings and/or the community. As such, these assignments may present some risks. Sound choices and caution may lower risks inherent to the profession. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of and adhere to policies and practices related to agency and/or community safety. Students should also notify instructor regarding any safety concerns. VI. Course Requirements Grading and Evaluation Procedures: Students will have the opportunity to evaluate the course at the end of the semester. Students will be graded on the following basis: 20 points: Instructor's evaluation of critical feedback given orally in response to the assignments submitted by other students, of student preparedness in having read the assigned readings, and of the overall quality of the student's class participation. 80 points: Instructor's evaluation of students’ written assignments. Evaluation of some of assignments 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be based primarily on effort. Students are expected to make some mistakes on these assignments, and learn from their experiences on them. However, points will be deducted for excessive or serious mistakes--particularly those that reflect inadequate effort, inadequate preparatory reading or reference resources to guide each assignment, or errors in comprehending fundamental methodological concepts already covered in the first semester. Assignment 5 will be graded according to the extent to which it is methodologically sound and reflects proper incorporation of suggestions for improvement in feedback received for prior assignments. The assignments will be described in the next section of this syllabus. The points for each assignment are as follows: Assignment 1: 15 points Assignment 2: 15 points Assignment 3: 15 points Assignment 4: 15 points Assignment 5: 20 points Total: 100 points A= 90 or more points B= 80 - 89 points C= 70 - 79 points D= 60 - 69 points F= 0 - 59 points - 2 -- 3 -VII. Assignments Each assignment is to be typed in double space, and enough copies should be submitted for each student and instructor to have a copy. No excuses for late submissions. If not submitted to all students and instructor on time in class (or by E-mail prior to class), 10% of the points will be deducted. If not submitted to all students and instructor at least 24 hours before discussion date, an additional 20% will be deducted. Due to the size of this cohort, the class will be divided into 3 groups. Each group will have a different due date for Assignments 1-4. Because Group 1 will have less time than the other groups to prepare Assignment 1, its grades for Assignment 1 will receive a 10 percent bonus. No. Points Due Dates Assignment 1 15 Group1-Jan. 28 Group 2- Feb. 4 Group 3-Feb 11 Write a problem statement for a proposal for an important multivariate quantitative research study that will test a hypothesis. Identify the study's purpose, its research question, its importance and utility. Briefly tie the study to the most relevant and recent literature, and identify how it