Elements of Sociological Research
Sociology 312 – Fall 2002
Curtis R. Blakely, Ed.S.
Office: Faner 3429
Phone: 453-2494
email: rickyb103@aol.com
Meeting Place/Times:
Required Textbook:
Course Description:
Course Objectives:

Pulliam 310 -- M/W
Office Hours: M/W 8 – 10:30am
Or by Appointment
11 am – 12:50 pm
Therese L. Baker's Doing Social Research (3rd ed.)

The student is introduced to a variety of research methods in the social sciences including use of the library, techniques of observation, and elementary steps in quantitative/qualitative measurements and analyses.
To introduce students to a variety of quantitative and qualitative social research methods and to explore the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Grading:
To provide hands-on experience in the collection, analysis, and presentation of data.
To familiarize students with ethical concerns associated with scientific research.
This course will be graded on a standard one hundred-point scale. Therefore, an " A " will be awarded to those receiving 90-100 points, a "B" will be awarded to those receiving 80-89 points, a "C" will be awarded to those receiving 70-79 points, a "D" will be given to those receiving 60-69 points, and an "F" will be given to those receiving 59 points or below.
There will be two exams, a midterm and a final. Exam one will count for 25% of your final course grade. Exam two will count for 30% of your final course grade. These exams will be fill in the blank, matching and essay. They will be specifically designed to ensure that each student has a firm grasp on methodology and key terms and concepts. A review session will proceed each exam.
Total points possible on exams -55.

Attendance:
There will be a group project that will count for 20% of your final course grade. This project will include developing a research topic and question, conducting a literature review, forming a hypothesis statement for testing, collecting and analyzing the data, presenting this information in paper format (paper is to be no less than 15 pages in length), and orally presenting findings during class session. The group oral presentation will be approximately 15 minutes in length. Total points possible on group project -20.
There will also be 5 homework/quizzes, each worth 5 points.
Total points possible on homework/quizzes -25.
Class attendance is mandatory. Attendance will be taken during each class session. Any student having more than 3 unexcused absences will have his/her final course grade lowered one letter grade. Therefore, an "A" would become a "B"; a "B" would become a "C", and so on. If you must miss class, either email or phone so that I will be aware of the situation.
Tentative Schedule:
Week 1: Aug 19 & 21 - Chapter 1 (Varieties of social research)
Week 2: Aug 26 & 28 - Chapter 2 (Science and theory in social research) and Chapter 14 (The ethics of Social research)
Week 3: Sep 2 & 4 – Labor Day/Review/summation of Chapts. 1, 2 & 14; Quiz #1 covering chapters 1, 2 & 14

Week 4: Sep 9 & 11 - Chapter three (Defining, designing, and developing a research project)
Week 5: Sep 16 & 18 - Chapter four (Operationalization and measurement)
Week 6: Sep 23 & 25 - Review and summation of Chapts. 3
and 4; Chapter 5 (Sampling); Assignment #1
Week 9: Oct 14 & 16 – Review and Assignment #2
Week 7: Sep 30 & Oct 3 - Assignment #1 due; Chapter 6
(Experimental research)
Week 8: Oct 7 & 9 – Chapts. 7 & 8 (Survey research, interviewing
techniques and focus groups; Qualitative research); Quiz #2

Week 10: Oct 21 & 23 - Chapter 9 (Methods of analyzing available data); Exam # 1; Assignment # 2
Week 11: Oct 28 & 30 - Test and Assignment returned and reviewed – Miscellaneous information and preparation for second portion of semester – including introduction to upcoming chapters and assignments; Group work begins.
Week 12: Nov 4 & 6 - Chapter 10 (Evaluation research, case studies, and other forms of applied research)
Week 13: Nov 11 & 13 - Chapter 11 (Ways of analyzing qualitative and quantitative data)

Week 14: Nov 18 & 20 – Assignment #3; Review/summation of chapts. 10 and 11;
Chapter 13 (elementary statistics for social research)
Week 15: Nov 25 & 27 - Thanksgiving Vacation
Week 16: Dec 2 & 4 - Chapter 15 (presenting the research results); Review; Group Projects & Presentations

Week 17: Dec 9 through 13 - Finals