Instructor: Julie Stokes, Ph.D. Phone: (714) 278-3485

Class meeting: TBA Room 216

TEXT:

Ray, W. J. (1997). Methods: Toward a Science of Behavior and Experience (5th Ed.). Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Publishing.

Zelezny, L. C., (1997). Methods in Action (5^th Ed.). Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Publishing.

Weaver, J. H. (1997). Conquering Statistics: Numbers without the Crunch. New York: Plenum Press.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course will provide an introductory survey of social science research methods, including data collection strategies, hypothesis testing, analyzing tests of measurement, some concepts of statistics, and tools and resources for research. Lectures will be supplemented with demonstrations and experiments conducted in class. Grades will be based on exams, papers, presentations, class participation, and additional short assignments. Students are responsible for assigned readings and all information presented during class.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To provide student with a basic understanding of the concepts underlying scientific methods of investigation (i.e., case study, experimental, statistics). The course will provide students the opportunity to read and evaluate research�studies, carry out simple research exercises, and develop
and present an independent research project.

EXAMINATIONS:

Exams will consist of short answer essay and/or machine-scored objective style questions from lecture, text, and additionally presented material (e.g., films). The last exam�will be administered finals week. Examinations will not be�cumulative. Make-up exams will not be given. Cheating on
exams will result in an automatic "F" grade.

PAPER DESCRIPTION:

The class will be expected to submit a research paper. The paper will be an in-dept sophisticated APA (4th Ed.)-style review paper (maximum 10 pages; Title; Abstract; Text; References). The paper is to integrate and critically evaluate five or more research articles, published in a major scientific journal after 1990. All papers will be accompanied by copies of abstracts or summaries used. The professor's prior approval must be obtained for the topic�chosen. The review paper will also be presented orally.

Example of source citations in text:

Smith (1992) suggested that...

One suggestion of (Smith, 1992) is that...

Examples of referencing: A journal article:

Yeakey, C.C. and Bennett, C. T., (1990). Race, schooling, and class in American society. Journal of Education, 59(1), 3-18.

A newspaper or magazine article:

Clary, M. (1993, February). Dream turns to tragedy. The Los Angeles Times, pp. 2.

GRADE DISTRIBUTION:

Each exam will be worth 100 points, each paper will be worth 100 points, and class assignments worth 160 points, for a total of 560 points.

Exam 1 100 points Paper 1 100 points

Exam 2 100 points Part 160 points

Exam 3 100 points ____________________________________

Total 560 points

Letter grades:

558 & up = A 434 - 495 = C Less than 372 = F

496 - 557 = B 494 - 372 = D
 

DATES AND READING ASSIGNMENTS:

DATES COURSE OUTLINE CHAPTER

Week 1:

Introduction to Course: Overview
What is Science? Ch 1 Introduction to the Methods of Science Ch 2
Conquering Statistics Ch 1

Week 2:

Developing the Hypothesis Ch 3
Conquering Statistics Ch 2

Week 3:
Description of Behavior Through Numerical Representation Ch 4
Inferential Statistics: Making Statistical Decisions Ch 5
Conquering Statistics Ch 3,4

Week 4:
Testing The Hypothesis: A Conceptual Introduction Ch 6
Control: The Keystone of The Experimental Method Ch 7
Conquering Statistics Ch 9,10

Week 5:
Applying The Logic of Experimentation: Ch 8
Between-Subjects Designs
Conquering Statistics Ch 5,6

Week 6:
Extending The Logic of Experimentation: Ch 9
Within-Subjects and Matched-Subjects Approaches
Conquering Statistics Ch 7

Week 7:
The Ecology of The Experiment: The Scientist and Ch 10
Research Participants in Relation to Their Environment
Conquering Statistics Ch 8

Week 8:
Quasi-Experimental, Correlation, and Naturalistic Ch 11
Observational Designs Single-Subject Designs Ch 12

Week 9:
Questionnaires, Survey Research, and Sampling Ch 13 Ethics Ch 14

Week 10:
Sharing the Results Ch 15
Beyond Method Ch 16
 

 FINAL EXAM

Week 1: Introduction to Course
Discuss Course Requirements (e.g., lab participation expected; 1 papers due, etc.)
Methods in Action

Week 2: Paper Requirements
Start Thinking About Review Paper (Topic list provided)
Methods in Action

Week 3: Searching the Literature
Identifying Research Problems and Hypotheses
Methods in Action

Week 4: Methods in Action

Week 5: Analyzing Published Studies
Independent & Dependent variable

Review for Exam

Week 6: Discuss APA Formatting and Reading Research
Methods in Action

Week 7: Discuss APA Formatting Integrating Information
Methods in Action

Week 8: Methods in Action

Week 9: Discuss Human Subjects Approval Process
Complete Appropriate Paperwork
Methods in Action

Week 10: Review for Exam
Methods in Action
Draft of Review Paper Returned (Take questions)