Department of Health & Community Services
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HCSV 425‑01 (2920) TR 8-9:15
RESEARCH and EVALUATION
Fall 2008
Dr. Roland J. Lamarine Office hours: TTh 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Office:
Phone: 898-6265 Email:
rlamarine@csuchico.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This
course is an introduction to the language and methodology of social
research. Particular attention is given
to: the nature of the scientific method; sampling theory; a review of survey, field,
experimental, and evaluation methods; the nature and character of scientific
evidence; and an introduction to data
analysis. The course is designed to help the
student become an informed consumer and critic of the methods used by human
service
professions to collect and interpret information
about human activity.
Completion
of this course with a C‑ or better (including submission of an acceptable
research proposal in the American Psychological Association [APA] format)
certifies the student as passing CSUC's Writing Proficiency requirement. Please note the Research Proposal and the
Survey Instrument which are requirements for HCSV 425 are Portfolio items.
REQUIRED TEXTS
1. Babbie, E. (2008). The basics of social
research (4th ed.)
2. Wagenaar, T., & Babbie, E. (2004). The practice
of social research (10th ed.).
3. Hacker, D. (2004). A pocket style manual.
(4th ed.).
4. Packet of readings to be purchased from Mr.
Kopy,
(packet
#502 )
RECOMMENDED TEXT
1. American Psychological Association (2003). Publication
manual (5th ed.).
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance
Attendance will be taken daily. Attendance will
be considered in the determination of a final grade.
Grading
Midterm exam 25%
Final exam 25%
Research proposal 25%
Quizzes
10%
Homework 5%
APA assignment 5%
Attendance
5%
Final grades will be assigned on the following
basis:
97‑100% = A+ 77‑79% = C+
93‑96%
= A 73‑76%
= C
90‑92%
= A‑
70‑72% = C‑
87‑89%
= B+ 66‑69%
= D+
83‑86%
= B 60‑65%
= D
80‑82%
= B‑ 59
& below = F
Please note that the
"few students."
The examinations are usually of an
objective nature: multiple choice, true‑false, and short answer
essay. Here are a few examples of test
items:
True‑False
1. An
independent variable does not vary as a result of the
experiment or influence.
2. The
results of research are inevitably limited and incomplete
and the
findings of any study are susceptible to rectification and
supplementation by further study.
3.
Limitations of studies are usually those that impinge on the
study
in some substantive way.
4. A
particular variable can usually be measured in several
distinct ways using different sources of information and
various
observation techniques.
Multiple Choice
1. Upon
what does the validity of conclusions drawn from any
series
of observations depend?
a. the reliability of
observations
b. the representativeness of the
raw data
c. the quality of the observer
d. the applicability of the
observation findings
e. the number of subjects from
which the data were obtained
2. Among a
graduating class of high school seniors, which variable represents an ordinal but
not an interval scale?
a. age
b. type of automobile
c. rank in high school class
d. height in inches
e. more than one above
3. Professor Glynn gave an exam on Monday. On Wednesday
Glynn
gave the same class the same exam.
Professor Glynn
was
clearly interested in assessing the exam's
a. reliability
b. validity
c. face validity
d. conceptualization
e. precision
4. Senator Baxter researched the effects of
political orientation on attitudes
toward abortion. “Political orientation”
is an example of a/an
a. attribute
b. independent variable
c. unit of analysis
d. dependent variable
TENTATIVE CLASS OUTLINE
WEEK # 1
August 26
Lectures:
Human Inquiry and Science
Laboratory:
the APA style
WEEK #2 September 2
Lectures:
Theory & Research
Lab:
Plagiarism; Selecting a Research Problem
WEEK # 3
September 9
Lectures:
Nature of Causation
Lab:
Fundamentals of writing, Grammar, Composition,
& Style
WEEK #4
September 16
Lectures:
Research Design
Lab:
Research Proposal‑Chapter 2
WEEK # 5
September 23
Lectures:
Conceptualization & Measurement
Lab:
TBA
WEEK # 6
September 30
Lectures:
Operationalization
Lab:
Review
WEEK # 7
October 7
Lectures:
Sampling Theory
Lab:
Sampling/Statistics Workshop
WEEK # 8
October 14
Lectures:
Sampling (continued)
Lab:
MIDTERM EXAMINATION
WEEK # 9
October 21
Lectures:
Ethics in Social Research
Lab:
Research Proposal, Chapters 1 & 3
WEEK # 10
October 28
Lectures:
Survey Research
Lab:
Editing/writing Chapters 1 & 3
WEEK # 11
November 4
Lectures:
Field Research
Lab:
TBA
WEEK # 12
November 11
Lectures:
Unobtrusive Research
Lab:
TBA
WEEK # 13
November 25
Lectures:
Experimental Design
Lab:
TBA
WEEK # 14
December 2
Lectures:
Evaluation Research
Lab:
TBA
WEEK # 15
December 9
Lectures:
Elementary Analysis & Social Statistics
Lab:
Review & course wrap‑up
DATES TO REMEMBER
1. APA
Writing Assignment #1: Thursday, September
4
2.
Research Problem Selected: Thursday,
September 11
3.
Literature Review (Chapter 2):
Thursday, October 9
4. Midterm
Examination: Thursday, October 16
5. Preliminary
Chapter 1: Thursday, October 23
6. Preliminary
Chapter 3: Thursday, October 30
6. Research
Proposal: Thursday, November 13
7.
Homework Assignments: TBA
8. Final Examination: Tuesday, December 16, 10-11:50 a.m.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #1
APA WRITING ASSIGNMENT
One of
the goals in writing an APA paper is to help you understand and use the APA
citation and reference format. This
exercise is designed to provide you with practice using this method.
You
will need the American Psychological Association's
Publication Manual (5th ed.).
It is for sale in the general reference section of the CSUC
bookstore.
The
5th APA Publication Manual will be the criterion for grading your research
proposal. It is the only criterion to be
used. Any other reference manual,
including those created or used by other instructors will not be accepted.
Please
read the article reproduced in the materials and readings for HCSV 425
designated for the APA writing assignment (article #4). Note that citations and references are not in
APA style. Your assignment is to
translate this paper into APA citation and reference style. This assignment is due by the end of class
on the date listed in the "Dates To Remember."
LATE PAPERS IF ACCEPTED AT ALL, WILL BE
PENALIZED ONE FULL LETTER GRADE FOR EACH DAY THAT THEY ARE OVERDUE*
ALSO NOTE THAT THIS AND ALL ASSIGNMENTS FOR THIS COURSE MUST BE TYPED, DOUBLE SPACED, AND IN APA STYLE, THIS INCLUDES ALL HOMEWORK.
* Please note that these policies apply to all
subsequent assignments.
ALSO NOTE THAT RESEARCH FRAUD, DATA FABRICATION,
DATA MANIPULATION, PLAGIARISM, CHEATING ON TESTS OR COURSE ASSIGNMENTS ARE ALL
CONSIDERED SUFFICIENT GROUNDS FOR FAILURE IN THE COURSE REGARDLESS OF THE
OVERALL GRADE OBTAINED!!!
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #2
Research Problem selection and
description
Please
turn in a well composed and thorough (not necessarily documented) description
of the research problem you plan to examine in your formal research
proposal. In simple and concise language
state the problem of your study. Exactly
what question(s) do you intend to address in your study? Limit your description to two paragraphs or
less and a maximum of one typewritten page.
THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A COPY OF A RESEARCH STUDY PUBLISHED
IN A PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL; THE STUDY MUST APPROXIMATE YOUR PROPOSED RESEARCH
AND WILL SERVE AS A MODEL FOR YOUR WORK.
Keep
in mind the words of Henry David Thoreau,"...simplify, simplify,
simplify."
This
assignment is due by the end of class on the date listed under
"Dates To Remember."
SOME IDEAS TO ADDRESS IN YOUR PAPER
1. What
question(s) are you asking?
2. What
answer(s) might you expect (hypotheses)?
3. What
variables will be involved?
4. Which is the independent and which is the
dependent variable(s)?
5. What
subjects (population) will you use? How
will they be selected?
6. What
methods will be employed?
7. How
will you obtain or develop the research instrument?
8. Within
what time frame will the study be conducted?
9. Where
will the study take place?
Review
of the Literature (Chapter 2)
Chapter 2 will be turned in for evaluation before the entire research
proposal is completed. This policy has
been instituted as a courtesy to the student allowing for significant feedback
regarding writing style, clarity of expression, grammar, content, and adherence
to APA guidelines. It will be worth up
to 25 points out of the 100 points allocated to the research proposal. Subsequently, the entire research proposal
will be worth 75 additional points. The
grading of the completed research proposal will include Chapter 2, which will
be evaluated a second time. Be sure to include a complete list of all
references cited.
DUE BY
THE END OF CLASS on the date listed in the "Dates To Remember." Be
sure to include a complete list of references (APA style) at the end of Chapter
2.
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HOMEWORK
ASSIGNMENTS
All homework assignments except the grammar
worksheets are located in The Practice of Social Research by Wagenaar
and Babbie (the workbook). LATE
HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!
1. Grammar
worksheets due:____________
2. Chapter
1: Exercises 1.1 (p.13)
due:____________
3.
Research problem due:____________
4. Chapter
4: Exercises 4.4 (p.71,
use reading #17) due:____________
5. Chapter
5: Exercise 5.2 (p.87)
due:____________
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6. Chapter
7: Exercise 7.1, (p.124)
due:____________
7. Develop
a survey instrument
due:___________
8.
Preliminary Chapter 1 due:___________
9. Chapter
9: Exercise 9.1 (pp.165‑166) due:__________
10. Preliminary Chapter 3 due:__________
11. Chapter 11: Exercise 11.3 (p.216) due:____________
(use
reading #34)
12. Chapter 14: Exercises 14.2, 14.3
(pp.261)due:___________
13. Chapter 16: Exercise 16.3 (p.297) due: ___________
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
1. Your
research proposal is to be double‑spaced and neatly
typed
on standard typing paper.
2. A
draft of Chapter 1 including ONLY the problem statement,
delimitations,
limitations, and hypotheses is due on the
date
listed under "Dates To Remember." ****
3. A
draft of Chapter 3 including ONLY the, selection of the design, instruments, and subjects
is due on the date listed.
4. Your
completed research proposal is due on the date listed under "Dates To
Remember." Any paper accepted after
this date will be considered late
and a penalty of one full
letter grade (8 points) will be assessed for each DAY it is overdue.
BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE FIRST (CORRECTED) VERSION
OF
CHAPTER 2 and the front page of all articles used as references along with the final
draft.
5. You are
required to write a paper of no more than ten typewritten pages with a minimum of
five (5) journal (primary) citations. The length of your proposal does not include
the title page, table of contents,
or references.
6. Your
paper will be graded for (1) content, (2) APA format,
and (3)
correct grammar, spelling, word usage, neatness,
punctuation, and sentence and paragraph formation. Your
content
grade will form the base of your paper grade.
Errors
in APA format or English will be deducted from the
content
grade.
7. Please
review your reading, "Academic honesty: An ounce of
prevention." All
sections apply.
The
research proposal will be worth a total of 100 points. Twenty‑five points will be
assigned to the first reading of
Chapter 2, the remaining 75 points will be allocated to the entire research proposal.
CHECK EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE RESEARCH PROPOSALS
FROM PAST SEMESTERS.
STUDENT OUTCOME ASSESSMENT
A. Learning Objectives (course
performance requirements)
HCSV 425
meets the following Program Learning Objectives in the Department of Health and Community Services. (Please see http://www.csuchico.edu/hcsv/hed_obj.html
for a complete listing of the Program
Learning Objectives.) Learning objectives are based on the Competency-Based
Framework for the Professional
Development of Certified Health Education Specialists,
The National Commission for Health Education Certification,
Inc.
1. Assess individual and community needs for
health education.
(Resp. I)
a.
Obtain health related data about social and cultural environments, growth,
& developmental factors, needs, and interests.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of health
education programs (Resp. IV)
a.
Interpret results of program evaluation
3. Act as
a resource person in health education. (Resp VI)
a.
Utilize computerized health information retrieval systems
effectively.
4. Communicate
health education needs, concerns, and resources
(Resp. VII)
a.
Interpret concepts, purposes, and theories in health education.
5. Have
knowledge, skills, and beliefs related to health care organizations. (HSA, Resp. 2)
a.
Be able to measure the quality of services and apply general approaches to
quality management problems.
6. Have
knowledge, skills, and beliefs related to management processes
including program planning, implementation, and
evaluation. (HSA, Resp. 3)
a. Be able to develop program plans, including defining Problems in
appropriate terms, setting goals and objectives, using
statistical data, interpreting
published data, researching issues, developing and deciding from among
alternatives, and evaluating
results and impacts.
7. Have
competent communication skills including written and spoken communication, use of
electronic media and formal Presentations/business
reports. (HSA, Resp. 4)
a.
Develop a variety of communication skills.
B.
Portfolio submission selections: The Department of Health and
Community Services, Option in Health Education requires before graduation
during the Internship the submission of a Portfolio. Please see guidelines which may be obtained
from department office (607
1.
Research Proposal
2.
Survey Instrument
C.
Assessment Level (requirement and standards for evaluation)
1. Students will be evaluated on the above
competencies based on the
following weights/points:
see
description on page two of this syllabus
HCSV 425 Midterm Study
Guide
Variables & their
attributes
Variables/concepts
Hypotheses/theories
Independent vs. dependent
variable
Errors in personal
inquiry: e.g. overgeneralization,
selective observation, rationalization, etc
Units of analysis
Ecological &
individualistic fallacy
Reductionism
Ideographic vs. nomothetic
models
Mutually exclusive variables
Criteria for causality
& for lack of causality
e.g. plausible rival
hypotheses, causal priority,
association [indirect
association & artifactual association
Necessary & sufficient
cause
Purpose of research:
explore, describe, explain
Deduction vs. induction
Research designs:
longitudinal vs. cross-sectional
Types of studies: panel,
cohort, trend studies
Reliability
Validity: content, face,
construct, predictive
Type I & Type II error
Levels of measurement:
NOIR
Ex post facto hypothesizing
Essay questions:
1. Inductive vs. deductive model of theory
construction;
strengths & weaknesses
2. Time element in research; know designs using different
time elements including longitudinal prospective and retrospective studies
3. Using levels of measurement; application &
examples: nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio
Final Exam Study Guide: HCSV 425
SAMPLING:
Internal vs. external validity
Sampling error & how to reduce it
Cluster & stratified sampling
Simple random & systematic sampling
Probability vs. non-probability sampling
ETHICS:
Ethical principles of research
Classical examples of unethical research
SURVEY RESEARCH:
Telephone interviewing
Response bias
Interviewing caveats
Open vs. closed ended items
Mail surveys
Strengths and weaknesses o surveys
FIELD RESEARCH:
Field researcher roles
Sampling techniques e.g. snowball
Strengths & weaknesses
Pitfalls of field research
CONTENT ANALYSIS:
Sources of crime stats
Latent vs. manifest content
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:
Natural experiments
Experimental vs. control groups
Campbell & Stanley
Quasi-experimental & experimental designs
Interaction effects
EVALUATION RESEARCH:
Rigor vs. significance
Cost-benefit analyses
Evaluation research caveats
Types of evaluation e.g. process
STATISTICS:
Levels of measurement
Measures of central tendency & dispersion
Inferential vs. descriptive stats
Statistical vs. practical significance
Chi square
Statistics vs. parameters
Characteristics of the normal (bell) curve
Statistical regression
ESSAYS:
1.
Explain impact in experimental design of
a)
Statistical regression
b)
Diffusion of treatment
c)
Compensatory rivalry
d)
Demoralization
2.
Be able to graph and explain the following:
a)
A symmetrical distribution
b)
A positively skewed distribution
c)
A negatively skewed distribution
3.
Be able to calculate & explain the significance
of a T score.