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Course Syllabus for IRLS 506: Research Methods

Link to Course Outline

Spring Instructor: Margaret Higgins, PhD


COURSE NAME, NUMBER, AND PREREQUISITES

Research Methods

IRLS 506

No prerequisites for this course
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COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course offers an introduction to research techniques and their application in social research. Students will gain an appreciation of factors involved in research and an ability to critically evaluate research. Statistics will be addressed, with the emphasis being on engendering a level of familiarity with statistical concepts. This course will not create statisticians but it will provide a platform for discussion with experts of the statistics required for research.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES

To provide an understanding of the nature, role and value of research, and to demonstrate the importance of, and necessity for, research; To familiarize students with a variety of research methods; To enable students to interpret and evaluate research.

Objectives of the course

By the end of the course students should be able to

• identify and implement research strategies appropriate for problems in their own working environment.

• identify well executed, reliable, and valid research

• identify research results which can be applied to their own library or information centre.

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REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS

Required Text : Orcher, Lawrence T. Conducting Research: Social and Behavioral Methods (2005). California: Pyrczak Press.

Required Reading : Campbell, D & Stanley, J. (1963). Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research. Reprinted from Handbook of Research on Teaching. Chicago, IL: Rand McNally College Publishing Company.

 A readings list can be supplied on request. However, the class emphasis will be on demonstrating absolute and complete knowledge of the assigned text, and of Campbell & Stanley. To this end, to demonstrate their grasp of the material covered in the text and in class, students will be reading and providing weekly written reviews of assigned chapters.

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COURSE REQUIREMENTS

i) Expectations: Students are expected to participate in class - you are especially expected to take an active role in discussions. My rationale for this is that in your work you will often have to speak for a service in which only you believe - and you may, for example, have to argue for your department's (rightful?) budget allocation. You therefore have to speak with confidence and knowledge, and you have to make a positive impression. You might as well practice now.

ii) Other than for medical (or other super-good) reason, no late assignments will be accepted.

iii) Prepare all written work in APA format; and word process or type all work.

Lecture Schedule (Subject to refinement as the semester progresses)

Jan 12th General Introduction & Expectations

Jan 19th What is Research & Why do it? Ways of Knowing

Jan 26th Research Process

Feb 2nd Science & Positivism

Feb 9th Designs & Error Readings: Campbell & Stanley

Feb 16th Designs & Error Readings: Campbell & Stanley

Feb 23rd Basic & Applied research

Mar 2nd Introduction to Statistics

Mar 9th Introduction to Statistics (cont)

Mar 23rd Qualitative I

Mar 30th Qualitative II

April 6th Sampling; Survey research

April 13th Different countries / different research concerns

April 20th Research and Decision Making: their connections

April 27th Review

May 4 th Exam

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COURSE POLICIES

Academic Code of Integrity

Students are expected to abide by The University of Arizona Code of Academic Integrity (one theme of which is that The guiding principle of academic integrity is that a student's submitted work must be the student's own.). If you have any questions regarding what is acceptable practice under this Code, please ask an Instructor.

Accommodating Disabilities

The University has a Disability Resource Center . If you anticipate the need for reasonable accommodations to meet the requirements of this course, you must register with the Disability Resource Center and request that the DRC send me, the Instructor, official notification of your accommodation needs as soon as possible. Please plan to meet with me by appointment or during office hours to discuss accommodations and how my course requirements and activities may impact your ability to fully participate.

Assignment Policies

Incompletes

The 1997-8 University of Arizona General Academic Manual, p.23 reads

The grade of I may be awarded only at the end of a semester, when all but a minor portion of the course work has been satisfactorily completed. The grade of I is not to be awarded when the student is expected to repeat the course; in such a case the grade of E must be assigned. Students should make arrangements with the instructor to receive an incompete grade before the end of the semester ...

If the incomplete is not removed by the instructor within one year the I grade will revert to a failing grade.

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GRADING

Assessment

Participation 5%

Assignment 1: 15%

Assignment 2: 15%

Research Proposal 45%

Exam 20%

Grades: A: 100-90 B: 89-80 C: 79-70 Less than 'C' is fail.

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CONTACTING ME

Instructor: Margaret Higgins, PhD

Email: Margaretahiggins@yahoo.com or higginsm@u.arizona.edu

Tel: 520 623 4590

Office Hours: By appointment

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