Seminar in Advanced Research Methods

Course Details

Course Number: HSAD/PUAD 6063  Section Number: 10

Fall 2011

Location: Martin Hall

Classroom Number: 106

Days & Times:

Internet

Office Hours by appointment on Monday 8:45A-1P and Tuesday 11A-12:30P and 5:15P-8:30P



Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Roe Roberts   
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Course Objectives

The objectives of this course are:

• To synthesize an appropriate research question,

• To evaluate and select the proper research design for the appropriate research  problem,

• To evaluate the research work of others,

• To complete a fairly file research paper, and

• To present effectively the results of research work.

By the end of the course, you will be able to appropriately use each research technique in your own research project so as to be able to complete a final version of your paper.  All will be able to evaluate and comment on the research work of other authors.


Course Expectations

Course Overview, Organization and Requirements

The principle characteristic of scholarly and scientific inquiry, as opposed to informal, intuitive kinds of inquiry, is the use of rationally grounded procedures to extend knowledge regarded as reliable and valid. Therefore, this course will build on the tools you learned in your first research course and will provide you advanced instruction in applying the methods and designs in social science research.  By combining these research skills, with the information you learned in your major classes, your efforts will result in a well-researched, comprehensive paper.

STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS:

 Modules 1-6:

MWP (Module Writing Project)

Each module will have one MWP, the goal of the MWP will be to focus on a particular aspect of the final paper, and the MWP will form a part of the final FP.  The professor will review each MWP, point out its strengths and weaknesses.  If necessary the professor will return the MWP to the student to rewrite in response to these comments.  Students should use these comments to make improvements on the MWP which should be then be incorporated into the FP.  

MD (Module Discussion)

Each module will have instructor posed discussion questions.  The response must be carefully thought out, and draw upon the readings or other appropriate outside sources. 

 Module 7

Final Paper (FP)

The responses in the MWP and discussions will be used when writing the FP.  However, not all of the information you will need to discuss in the FP will be covered in the MWP or the discussions.  It is expected that you will incorporate the comments of your professor on your MWPs, cases in your FP.   If you do not, it will have a noticeable effect on your final grade.

The FP must have a minimum of 25 peer reviewed references drawn from peer reviewed journals.  Additional references may be drawn from government websites or statutory laws.  Occasionally other sources may be used if they can be supported by peer-reviewed articles, academic books or other academic websites. WIKI is not academic in nature is not acceptable references.  At a minimum ½ of the references must be recent (2009-2011).  To find appropriate journal articles make use of the libraries databases.  If you are not sure how to use them please contact the reference librarian for assistance.

The FP paper will be at least 25 full pages in length – remember title pages, abstract, table of contents and references don’t count toward the page length.

 The paper should not use more than 10% direct quotes.  I will run the paper through Turnitin to check for plagiarism; to check your own paper you can run it through SafeAssign.  SafeAssign is located on the class homepage. SafeAssign is a free software and isn’t as thorough as Turnitin but it may help you catch some unintended plagiarism.   

Your final written paper will be graded on content and grammar as follows:

1. Content includes conceptualization of ideas; clarity and relevance of examples; logical organization of thoughts; insight and originality and is 80% of the grading criteria.

2. Grammar includes spelling, punctuation, and grammar and APA format and is worth up to 20% of the grading criteria.


Grading Standards

Grading

            Comprehensive Paper Proposal                                               10

            Module 7  Final Paper (FP)                                                     80

            Module Discussions                                                                10

100

The module writing projects (MWP) and FP must be in APA style, double-spaced, and typed in Word with Times Roman 12 Font.  All MWPs and the FP must be attached as a Word file in the appropriate ASSIGNMENT area in Blackboard.  All MWPs must be turned in on time, if they are not turned in on time, 10% will be subtracted from the final grade. This course was collaboratively developed by all of the department members and per department policy, IF you miss the due date on 3 MWPs you will automatically be given a “C” for the course.


Submission Format Policy

Final Papers must be written using APA 5th ed. or above.

Module Responses must be turned in on time on the due date.

 All Due Dates are noted in the Class Assignment Schedule.



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Grading

In this course, there are no extra credit assignments.

I do not accept late assignments for grades unless prior arrangements are made. Late assignment’s grades are reduced 10% per day.

This syllabus is subject to change. All course participants will be notified of any changes.


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

None


Other Policies

Plagiarism and Dishonesty

Your work should be your own unless specifically stated otherwise. Using work from another student's or author's paper, copying directly from the internet, etc., are activities that are considered plagiarism. It can result in the student being dismissed and a recorded grade of “F.” Here are several websites that provide guidance to avoid plagiarism. I urge you to take the time to review them and understand what is and is not plagiarism.

http://gervaseprograms.georgetown.edu/honor/system/53377.html

http://lib.usm.edu/legacy/plag/plagiarismtutorial.php(this is a tutorial which you must complete and email me the results for your first discussion assignment)

 

All students must submit the name and phone number of an approved editor within two weeks of the class beginning date.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.