Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University UST 405 Methods of Research & Evaluation Fall 2010 Page 1 of 7 9/1/2010 UST 405 METHODS OF RESEARCH & EVALUATION Day & Time: Wednesdays, 6-9:50 p.m. Location: UR 243 (lecture/discussion), UR 40 (lab), and Lakeland via IVDL Instructor: Dr. Sung-Gheel (Gil) Jang Office: UR 349 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (216) 687-5597 Office Hours: Wednesdays, 4 to 5 p.m., or by appointment Course website: CSU Blackboard (https://elearning.csuohio.edu/webct/entryPageIns.dowebct) Course Description This course provides an overview of crucial methods of research and evaluation in public policy, urban planning, and urban studies at large. This course is a college requirement with UST 404 Urban Data Analysis. The emphasis is on working knowledge and skills students can use in other coursework and in their careers, particularly in analyzing various phenomena in urban settings and building a conceptual framework for looking into such phenomena. This course consists of two parts: lecture/discussion sessions (UR 243, Distance Learning) and laboratory sessions (UR 40). During the lecture/discussion sessions, students must come to class after reading materials assigned prior to each class and participate in class activities. During the lab sessions, students will gain a working knowledge on the use of information technologies for urban research. Spreadsheet software (MS Excel) is utilized to manipulate numerical data and conduct data analyses with census data, and other research data like datasets from Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR). A web-based data analysis tool (Survey Documentation Analysis) from ICPSR is used to explore the ICPSR datasets. In addition, GIS software (ESRI ArcGIS) is introduced to create thematic maps from spatially explicit data. Course Objectives At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to meet the following objectives: • Create a formal statement and proposal of research to address research question(s); • Gain a practical, working knowledge of a variety of research methods and analytical techniques; • Identify approaches and techniques for data collection and analysis relevant to urban research; • Determine what information is relevant to your inquiry and where that data may be found; • Apply statistical methods and interpret findings; • Comprehend and critically evaluate the use of quantitative data in reports and media; and • Effectively communicate findings visually, orally, and in writingMaxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University UST 405 Methods of Research & Evaluation Fall 2010 Page 2 of 7 9/1/2010 Required textbooks • Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams (2008). The Craft of Research, 3rd Edition. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-06566-3. [BCW] • Colin Robson (2007). How to Do a Research Project – A Guide for Undergraduate Students. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4051-1490-5 [ROBSON] Recommended web source • William M. K. Trochim (2005). The Research Methods Knowledge Base, <URL= http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/index.php> Grading The course grade will be determined as follows: 10% Class participation (attendance; in-class group and/or individual participation) 10% Class exercises 20% Lab exercises 20% Midterm exam (take-home) 10% Assignment #1 (research proposal) 10% Assignment #2 15% Assignment #3 (final paper) 5% Final presentation 100% total Grading scale: A = 94% or above, A- = 90%-93.9%, B+ = 87%-89.9%, B = 83%-86.9%, B- = 80%-82.9%, C+ = 77%-79.9%, C = 70%-76.9%, D = 60%-69.9%, F = 59.9% and belowMaxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University UST 405 Methods of Research & Evaluation Fall 2010 Page 3 of 7 9/1/2010 Course Schedule Subject to Change with Notice Week 1 (9/1) – Introduction to the course • Description of course; logistics • Blackboard; Wimba Classroom Week 2 (9/8) – Research concepts & foundation • scientific inquiry; scientific methods • language of research Reading: • Daniel R. Montello and Paul C. Sutton (2006). An Introduction to Scientific Research Methods in Geography. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. -- Ch 1. Introduction (pp. 1-13) • William M. K. Trochim and James P. Donnelly (2007). Research Methods Knowledge Base, 3rd edition. Mason, OH: Thomson Publishing – Ch 1. Foundations (pp. 5-23) • Web source: William M. K. Trochim (2005). The Research Methods Knowledge Base, <URL= http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/intres.php> Lab: Spreadsheet basics (I) Week 3 (9/15) – Research concepts & foundation (Continued) Lab: Spreadsheet basics (II) Week 4 (9/22) – Research process • research topics and research questions • hypotheses Reading: • BCW Ch 3 & Ch 4 (pp. 35-67) • ROBSON (pp. 47-54) Lab: Turning data into information using a spreadsheet (I) Week 5 (9/29) – Engaging sources • from problems to sources • literature searchMaxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University UST 405 Methods of Research & Evaluation Fall 2010 Page 4 of 7 9/1/2010 Reading: • BCW Ch 5 & Ch 6 (pp. 68-99) • ROBSON (pp. 54-64) Lab: Library research by Diane Kolosionek (Education/Urban Affairs Librarian, Michael Schwartz Library) – Class meets in UR 40 at 6 p.m. Week 6 (10/6) – Ethics in research • Ethical issues in research • IRB Reading: • Frederick J. Gravetter and Lori-Ann B. Forzano (2003). Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing. – Ch 3. Ethics in Research (pp. 58-81) Lab: Turning data into information using a spreadsheet (II) Week 7 (10/13) – Approaches to research • Action research; case studies; evaluation research; surveys; ethnographic research; etc. Reading: • ROBSON Ch 2 (pp. 18-46) Lab: Turning data into information using a spreadsheet (III) Assignment #1 Due Midterm Exam (Take-home) distributed – Due: October 18th (Mon), 6 p.m. Week 8 (10/20) – Measurement and scales • measurements • methods of collecting data Reading: • Frederick J. Gravetter and Lori-Ann B. Forzano (2003). Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing. – Ch 4. Defining and