Pre-requisites: SOC 100, 201, or 221 recommended
Readings and Materials:
1) Babbie, Earl, 2004. The Practice of Social Research. 10th Edition. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
2) one 3 ˝ inch high density (2S/HD) computer disk or other electronic storage device.
Web Site:
The web site for this course is found at:
www.chsbs.cmich.edu/Mary_Senter/soc300.htm
To stay current with this course, you will need to access this site frequently.
Time Issues:
You will need to ensure that you have time outside of class periods to use the computers in the Social Science Computer Laboratory (Anspach 251) or elsewhere on campus. At least one assignment can only be done in the lab (Anspach 251) because the software is not available elsewhere on campus. A schedule of times when the lab is open for public use will be posted in the display case in the hall, and there is a link to the schedule on the course web page. Due dates for these assignments/paper will be announced in class and will be posted on the web pages.
Also, you will be asked to conduct interviews during a three-hour period in the Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) lab in Anspach 307. These interviews will be completed in the evenings or on weekends--most probably during the period February 19-28.
Finally, one exam will be schedule in the Social Science Computer Laboratory (Anspach 251) outside of class hours. You will have a number of options for taking this exam which focuses on computer and data analysis skills.
Course Objectives:
At the end of this course, successful students will
• be acquainted with the designs of various types of research in sociology and the social sciences--in particular, surveys, experiments, and field work--and with the problems associated with each of them.
• have the background needed to begin to read critically and intelligently research studies in sociology, social work, criminal justice, social psychology, and related fields, giving particular attention to issues of research design, measurement, sampling, and basic statistical analysis and reporting.
• have a basic background in the techniques of research so that they will be able to conduct their own research projects--including computer-based data analysis--with the assistance of faculty or other qualified professionals.
• be acquainted with the special applications of research procedures used in evaluation research and human service practice and will be familiar with some of the unique problems associated with this type of research.
• be prepared for more advanced courses in research methodology, including those requiring computer applications.
Evaluations: Your term grade will be determined by your scores on four exams, eight writing assignments, and a series of in-class activities. These assignments will be weighted as follows:
Exam #1 100 points
Exam #2 100 points
Exam #3 (Computer Skills/Data Analysis) 100 points
Exam #4 (Final Exam) 150 points
Eight Writing Assignments/Papers 500 points
Assignment #1 50 points
Assignment #2 50 points
Assignment #3 50 points
Assignment #4 50 points
Assignment #5 50 points
Assignment #6 50 points
Assignment #7 50 points
Assignment #8 150 points
In-class activities 50 points
TOTAL 1,000 points
Exams: There will be three exams during the semester and a final for this course. I will announce the dates for the two in-class exams in class at least one week in advance. We will discuss the format of these exams in class. The third exam during the semester will take place in AN 251 outside of class time. This exam will focus on computer and data analysis skills. You will have a number of options for scheduling this exam. The two in-class exams will cover approximately five weeks' course material. The final exam (scheduled at the assigned time during exam week) will cover the final five or so weeks of the course; in addition, a section of the final will be cumulative. Keep in mind, however, that the material in a course such as this one is inherently cumulative. That is, I will assume in week ten, for example, that you have not forgotten the material from week four.
Assignments: You will be asked to complete eight writing assignments during the semester. The final assignment is your final paper from your quantitative, survey analysis. The assignments will be described on the "web page." All of the assignments/papers require computer use.
The Writing Assignments will be given between 0 and 150 points. An assignment with five or more spelling and/or grammatical errors will returned to the student UNGRADED. The student can revise her or his work and turn it in again. The student’s grade will, however, be reduced by 10 points.
Late assignments will be accepted; however, late assignments will lose points (the later the assignments the more points lost).
In-class Activities: Many times during the semester I will ask you to complete a small activity during class periods, either alone or with a partner/group. You will turn these activities in to me at the end of the class period. There are no make-ups. You can earn up to 50 points (no more) on these activities.
Course Grades: Finally, the points that you receive on the exams, assignments, and paper will be converted into course grades. First, the total points received by a student will be converted to a percentage. For example, 820 points out of 1000 points = 82%, which is a B- (or 2.7 honor points). The percentages will be converted to letter grades as follows: 93-100 percent = A, 90-92% = A-, 87-89% = B+, 83-86% = B, 80-82% = B-, 77-79% = C+, 73-76% = C, 70-72% = C-, 67-69% = D+, 63-66% = D, 60-62% = D-, 0-59% = E.
Student Success:
My experience is that student success with this course is enhanced when students:
* stay current with the material (i.e., don't fall behind; it is very difficult to catch up)
* take class notes and review those notes regularly
* use class to learn current material (rather than to catch up on past assignments)
* practice what is learned in class outside of class
* seek help from instructor early on, if confused (and often, if necessary)
* actively use the print and web resources available for HELP.
There is no formal class attendance policy. However, you will not "stay current with the material" and you will not be able to "practice what is learned in class outside of class" if you miss class. You will also not be able to complete the in-class activities unless you are in class.
The Academic Senate recently approved "Enhancing Learning Through Shared Expectations." It is found at www.provost.cmich.edu/reports_initiatives.htm. This document outlines some of what you can expect from me, and also details some of what I expect from you. Please be familiar with this document.
Classroom Etiquette:
Our classroom is also a computer laboratory. When the printer and machines are "on," it can be quite noisy. Use the computers only when asked to do so. Computers are great tools, but they are also great distractions!! Do not use the printer for your own work or assignments UNLESS the whole class is asked to print something.
To enhance learning for all of us, I expect you to turn cell phones off.
Do not talk with your neighbors UNLESS the whole class is engaged in group projects or pair discussions. When you have a question, comment, or concern, address it to the entire class. Your question will probably be of interest to others and will help them learn the material. I want you to ask questions; don't be shy about doing so.
Communication:
All CMU students have CMU e-mail accounts. I will communicate to YOU through your CMU account so make sure that you check your CMU account regularly. Information about your account can be found at www.oit.cmich.edu
You will need your CMU Global ID and password to use the machines in Anspach 251.
Academic Honesty:
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class. A student who exhibits academic dishonesty in any form or with respect to any component of a writing assignment, paper, or an exam may receive a failing grade for the course. Students should consult academicsenate.cmich.edu (click on Non-Curricular Policies/Procedures, then Policy on Academic Integrity) for the university's policy on academic integrity. The direct link is http://academicsenate.cmich.edu/NonCad/ACADEMIC_INTEGRITY_POLICY.pdf
ADA Accommodations:
CMU provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in educational programs, activities, or services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in class activities or meet course requirements should contact the professor as early as possible in the course.