Tech 200: Research Methods for Engineering and TechnologyCatalog DescriptionPrerequisitesCourse DeliveryPurpose of CourseStudent Learning Objectives:TextbooksEvaluationDescriptions of Assignments in this ClassActivities (some are on the Web)Web-Based Library TutorialsHomework AssignmentsResearch AnalysisPrécishttp://www.engr.sjsu.edu/sbates/tech200_home.htmDepartment of Aviation and Technology College of Engineering Tech 200: Research Methods for Engineering and Technology Course Syllabus ~ Spring 2009 Updated January 14, 2009 Instructor: Dr. Seth Bates Phone: (408) 924-3227 Email: [email protected] Fax: (408) 924-3198 Office Hours: Please check web site for office hours Office: IS 111 Website: http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/sbates/tech200_home.htm Catalog Description Current applied research methods applied to problems in engineering, technology, and other technical fields. Exposure to current literature, scientific/technological research ethics, research and experimental design and methods, skills in research proposal development and locating funding opportunities. Prerequisites All students should have completed the equivalent of SJSU’s Stat 115 or equivalent, or the permission of the instructor, and have graduate standing. Course Delivery Tech 200 will be taught as a “mixed-mode” class, that uses both classroom and online instruction. The WebCT URL for this class will be announced by email and on the web site when it is ready. If you do not see such an announcement on the web site, then do not worry: it is not yet ready for use. Purpose of Course This course is intended to give the student an understanding of the different types of research methodologies used in technical research today, how to design research projects, and how to prepare your graduate project or thesis documents. Because of the complexities and diversity of research practices, this course will emphasize the most commonly used techniques. The emphasis in this course is on practicality. All students taking this course are expected to develop skills in evaluating research that is done by others, in addition to developing their own plans for research. The ability to evaluate research critically is important in order to avoid deriving conclusions from spurious or inadequate data, or from inappropriate assumptions and methods. In addition, students will learn how to plan and organize their research efforts so that they will be better prepared for their terminal thesis or project as a graduate student. When you begin your capstone research work for your master’s degree, you will draw heavily on the knowledge you gained in this class. Student Learning Objectives: At the successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Use the language and vocabulary of research methods in engineering and technology studies. 2. Recognize and describe research priorities and benchmark research studies in technical content areas of interest. 3. Differentiate in writing between common research methods with respect to their applicability, usage, advantages, and disadvantages. 4. Describe research procedures and methods that are practical, replicable, and theoretically sound.5. Design, organize, and write a research proposal – specifically, a ‘précis’ proposal as may be required for their graduate thesis or project. 6. Critically evaluate research done by others, being able to identify both strengths and weaknesses in design. 7. Outline the principles of validity and reliability in analyzing and constructing research. 8. Apply accepted ethical practices to their research efforts. 9. Utilize statistical techniques to analyze research data. Textbooks Stangor, C. (2007). Research methods for the behavioral sciences (3rd ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin. American Psychological Association (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th. ed.) Washington, DC: Author. Evaluation Note to ESL students: If English is not your native language, you will have additional work to make sure your writing is adequate to graduate work at SJSU. Please make use of all available resources, including the SJSU Writing Center in Clark Hall, to assure that you do not lose credit due to poor English in your assignments. 1. Weighted Criteria Percentage a. Web activities, quizzes, and homework. Each unit includes 35 various activities, discussion questions, and responses. b. Research Analysis. The research analysis must be at least 1500 15 words. More details on this assignment are available at the web site. c. Précis. The Précis will be between 8 and 15 pages in length. 30 More details on this assignment are available at the web site. d. Final Exam 20 Total 100 2. Due dates are listed on the Course Schedule. Reading assignments that are pertinent to individual units are listed on the Course Schedule. Reprints of more recent articles may be distributed in class. It is your responsibility to keep current with the schedule and read and complete all relevant assignments before they are due or used in class. 3. Web-based class activities will be collected according to the schedule. All classwork and homework will be assigned points. 4. No assignments will be accepted late. Exceptions will be made to this policy only in documented emergency situations. Please contact your instructor before due date if possible. 5. Grade distribution. The final grade distribution will be as follows: 93-100 A; 90-92 A-; 88-89 B+; 83-87 B; 80-82 B-; 78-79 C+; 73-77 C; 70-72 C-; 69 D+; 65-68 D; below 65 F. The standard graduate grades in most US universities are A, B, and C. ‘A’ means superior quality graduate work of doctoral caliber. ‘B’ means good quality graduate work acceptable for graduate credit. Any grade of ‘C’ or below is unacceptable for graduate work. Please understand that the instructor will give the grade that is earned even if it is below graduate expectations. 6. The final examination schedule is shown on the Course Schedule. The final exam will be given online. Details will be discussed by email. 7. This greensheet/syllabus and topic outline are subject to change with appropriate notice. 8. Academic Integrity: Any assignment that violates the academic integrity policies of the university (see below) will receive zero credit and result in a report to the University. You will not be allowed to make-up any