UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
School of Information Resources and Library Science
Research Methods 506
SPRING 2007
Instructor: Margaret Higgins, PhD
Classroom: Modern Languages, # 314
Hours: Thursdays 6.30 - 9.00 pm
Email: Margaretahiggins@yahoo.com or margarethiggins@thehaventucson.org
Tel: 520 623 4590 / 520 406 7813
Office Hours: Thursdays 5.30 - 6.30pm
Course Content
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.
Aims of the course
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.
Code of Academic Integrity
Students are required to comply with the University's expectation of academic honesty as stated in the University of Arizona's Code of Academic Integrity (1991 Revision).
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.
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.
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.
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 11th General Introduction & Expectations
Jan 18th Research: What it is, & why do it? Ways of Knowing
Jan 25th Research Process
Feb 1st Science & Positivism
Feb 8th Designs & Error Readings: Campbell & Stanley
Feb 15th Designs & Error Readings: Campbell & Stanley
Feb 22nd Basic & Applied research
Mar 1st Introduction to Statistics
Mar 8th Introduction to Statistics (cont)
Mar 22nd Qualitative I
Mar 29th Qualitative II
April 5th Sampling; Survey research
April 12th Different countries / different research concerns
April 19th Research and Decision Making: their connections
April 26th Review
May 3 rd Exam
Document last updated Dec 12 2006.