Research II: Quantitative Methods DescriptionText / ReadingsTHE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK Course Number: SW388R2 Instructor’s name: Allen Rubin Unique Number: ??? Office Number: SSW 3.130E Semester: Summer 2005 Office Phone: E-mail 471-9218 [email protected] Meeting Time/Place: T, Th 1:30-4:00 PM Room ??? Office Hours: T, Th: 4:00 - 5:30 PM; Also by appointment Research II: Quantitative Methods I. Standardized Course DescriptionThis 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 ObjectivesBy 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 - 1 -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. The emphasis on experiential learning and peer feedback is based partially on the notion that in this course students will be learning to become research practitioners; thus, the pedagogical approach is somewhat analogous to learning to become clinical practitioners via peer observation and feedback of clinical interviews, therapy sessions or role-plays. Reading of new material will be minimal; instead, the bulk of student work will be on experiential projects and using much of what they have previously studied to guide their work on those projects. Although the experiential assignments comprise a heavy workload, that workload is offset by the light amount of new reading that is required. IV. Recommended Texts Rubin, A. & Babbie, E. (2005). Research Methods for Social Work, Fifth Edition. Pacific Grove, CA: Wadsworth, Inc. Alexander, L. & Solomon, P. (2005). The Research Process in the Human Services V. Class PoliciesAll 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 acceptable. 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. 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. Services for students with disabilities: The University of Texas at Austin provides, upon request, appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259; 471-4641 TTY. VI. Course Requirements - 2 -Students will be graded on the following basis: 100 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. 450 points: Assignments 1-3. Instructor's evaluation of students’ written proposal section assignments and scale development assignment, each of which will be worth 100 points. These assignments will be evaluated based on the extent to which they conform to the guidelines in the text and reflect adequate preparatory reading of reference resources to guide each assignment, or contain errors in comprehending fundamental methodological concepts already covered in the first semester. The assignments will NOT be graded 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. 150 points: Assignment 4. Instructor’s evaluation of the quality of the assignment involving a draft of a research article based on simulated results that the instructor concocts to fit your proposal. Using and interpreting the results he supplies, write your paper as if you had completed your proposed study and were reporting it in the form of an article being submitted to a professional journal. Results section should include one or more tables, constructed according to the text guidelines. 300 points: Assignment 5. Instructor’s evaluation of the quality of the final, revised version of the student’s research article. This assignment will be graded according to the extent to which it is methodologically sound and reflects proper incorporation of suggestions for improvement in feedback on the prior draft of the article as well as feedback on the proposal sections. The assignments will be described in the next section of this syllabus. Maximum Number of Points: 1000 A= 900 or more points B= 800 - 899 points C= 700 - 799