RESEARCH METHODS II SOCI-35400 (3 credits) Fall 2007 Jim Rothenberg Department of Sociology Syllabus Note: Many of the materials and exercises for this course were originally developed by Susanne Morgan.RESEARCH METHODS II SOCI-35400 (3 credits) Fall 2007 MWF 1:00-1:50 in CHS 104 Instructor: Jim Rothenberg 301 Muller, 274-1251 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: Tuesday 10:00-12:00, Friday 11:00-1:00, and by arrangement. COURSE ASSIGNMENTS and other course information can be found on WebCT online at: http://courses.ithaca.edu You will be asked for your username (same as your IC3 username) and a password (your Ithaca College I.D. number - once at the site, you can change your password) Social research is the systematic observation of social life for the purpose of finding and understanding patterns among what is observed. (Earl Babbie, The Principles of Social Research, p.2) Objectives: Sociology majors should be familiar with the essential elements of social science research, so they will be well prepared for work or further education, and so they will be informed consumers of research. After completing this course a student will be able to: • Choose methods appropriate to the research question and context. • Analyze existing survey data, using a computer statistical package. • Engage in qualitative research and analyze qualitative data. • Prepare a research plan including protection of human subjects, instrument design, and sampling plan. • Collect original data, probably using an anonymous paper and pencil survey. • Analyze original data, including frequencies, percentage tables, correlations, and statistical tests. • Write a formal research report and present in a public symposium using slides and tables. • Demonstrate the ability to manipulate data by recoding, constructing scales or indexes, and performing bivariate and multivariate analysis. • Understand the theory and application of probability sampling and tests of statistical significance. • Understand the logic and demonstrate the elaboration model of analysis. Format and Attendance: The class involves reading, discussing, and applying concepts from texts and a workbook. Much of the course is hands-on work and the class meets in a computer lab. Participation, being well prepared for class, and engaging in the in-class exercises, are important parts of the course. Attendance in class is required. More than three absences will result in a reduction of your final grade.COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS Wed 8/29 Introduction to Research Methods II Fri 8/31 Review READ: Esterberg, Qualitative Methods in Social Research Chapter 1. What is Social Research? Mon 9/3 Labor Day - NO CLASSES Wed 9/5 Revising literature reviews Bring your Review of the Literature paper and sources Preliminary Project Proposal Due (NOT GRADED) Fri 9/7 More review – Data analysis READ: Sweet and Grace-Martin, Data Analysis with SPSS Chapter 1, Key Concepts in Social Science Research Mon 9/10 Questionnaire design, preparing interview schedules, planning observations, preparing for content analyses In class we will work together to design basic demographic questions. READ: Schutt, Investigating the Social World Chapter 8, pages 233-256 Wed 9/12 Video: Causation Revised Literature Review Due (GRADED) Fri 9/14 Qualitative Methods READ: Esterberg, Qualitative Methods in Social Research Chapter 2. Strategies for Beginning Research Chapter 8. Making Sense of Data, pages 151-176 Mon 9/17 Intensive Interviews READ: Esterberg, Qualitative Methods in Social Research Chapter 5. Interviews Schutt, Investigating the Social World Chapter 9, pages 309-318 Wed 9/19 Exercises on questionnaire design, preparing interview schedules, planning observations, preparing for content analyses BRING TO CLASS: copy of your questionnaire, interview schedule, plans for observation or content analysis Fri 9/21 Writing a research proposal and HSR petition Handout: Ithaca College Review Board for Human Subjects Research Groups draft proposal for research with human beings. Mon 9/24 Sampling Questionnaire, interview schedule, plan for observations, or plan for content analysis Due (NOT GRADED) Wed 9/26 Sampling READ: Schutt, Investigating the Social World Chapter 5, pages 132-167 Fri 9/28 Ethical issues in conducting research READ: Esterberg, Qualitative Methods in Social Research Chapter 3. Ethical IssuesMon 10/1 Content Analysis: Analyzing Texts and Material Artifacts; READ: Esterberg, Qualitative Methods in Social Research Chapter 6. Unobtrusive Measures: Analyzing Texts and Material Artifacts Review Chapter 8. Making Sense of Data, pages 151-176 Schutt, Investigating the Social World Chapter 13, pages 428-438 Wed 10/3 Content Analysis – in class exercise Project proposal and HSR petition (if needed) Due (GRADED) Fri 10/5 Content Analysis – in class exercise Mon 10/8 Content Analysis – in class exercise Wed 10/10 Observation Research READ: Esterberg, Qualitative Methods in Social Research Chapter 4. Observation: Participant and Otherwise Fri 10/12 DATA ANALYSIS READ: Sweet and Grace-Martin, Data Analysis with SPSS Chapter 2 Mon 10/15 Sweet and Grace-Martin, Data Analysis with SPSS Chapter 3 READ: Schutt, Investigating the Social World Chapter 14, pages 446-466 Wed 10/17 DATA ANALYSIS READ: Sweet and Grace-Martin, Data Analysis with SPSS Chapter 4. Constructing Variables, pages 67-75. In class we will work through exercises, pages 68-74 Content Analysis Project DUE Fri 10/19 Fall Break – NO CLASSES Mon 10/22 Discuss final project; DATA ANALYSIS READ: Sweet and Grace-Martin, Data Analysis with SPSS Chapter 5. Assessing Association through Bivariate Analysis In class we will work through exercises, pages 91-95, 98-101. Schutt, Investigating the Social World Chapter 14, pages 466-474 Wed 10/24 DATA ANALYSIS READ: Sweet and Grace-Martin, Data Analysis with SPSS Chapter 5. Continued Fri 10/26 Controlling for a 3rd variable READ: Schutt, Investigating the Social World Chapter 14, pages 474-479 Mon 10/29 Controlling for a 3rd variable Wed 10/31 DATA ANALYSIS READ: Sweet and Grace-Martin, Data Analysis with SPSS Chapter 6. Comparing Group Means through Bivariate analyses In class we will work through exercises, pages 113-118, 121-123.Fri 11/2 DATA