Syllabus Soc 301

Sociology 301
Introduction to Methods and Research
Dr. Stephen Sills
Office: GRAM 320
Email: sjsills@uncg.edu
Required Texts: Earl R. Babbie 2008 The Basics of Social Research Thomson‐
Wadsworth 4th Edition

Catalog Course Description:
SOC 301 Introduction to Methods and Research (3:3). Pr. 101 and one additional sociology course; or
permission of instructor SOC majors only. Topics include the function of theory in research, concept
formation, study design, data collection, and analysis strategies. (Fall & Spring)
Goals and Objectives:
This course will teach you the basics of social research. After completing this course you should be
able to:
• Critically read and evaluate a research articles
• Engage in basic qualitative and quantitative data collection (interviewing and surveying)
• Provide simple descriptive analysis of quantitative and qualitative data
• Write a research report
Evaluation:
Evaluating what you understand will happen in individual and
group exercises, quizzes, and your research projects. There
are 1000 pts available. Grades are will be calculated as the
sum of:
1. Attendance and Participation 13 pts (13% of grade).
2. Quizzes 260 pts (26% of grade)
3. Exercises 280 (28% of grade)
4. Project 330 pts (33% of grade)
Course Schedule
Course content may be adapted from this outline to meet the needs of this particular class. All dates
are tentative; we may need to make adjustments to the schedule as the course progresses. All
readings from Babbie 2008 The Basics of Social Research 4e unless otherwise indicated. Additional
information about topics/assignments will be available in class and from the course Blackboard
website.

Module 1 ‐ How we know things/ How we learn things
Exercise 1 ‐ What do you know?
8/25 What is social research? ‐
[In class]
Quiz 1 ‐ Chapter
The rules and patterns of society ‐ Exercise 2 ‐Variables and their
8/27 1
how do we know them? Attributes [In class]
(Before class)
Types of research, basic vs. applied, Quiz 2 ‐ Chapter
Exercise 3 ‐ Critical thinking
9/1 the research process, Inductive vs. 2
[Complete online by 9/3]
deductive research (Before class)
Research Project ‐ Select a topic [due 9/3]

Module 2: The ethics of investigation
Quiz 3 ‐ Chapter
CITI Training Exercise 4 ‐ CITI Training
9/3 3
(Computer Lab) [Complete online by 9/8]
(Before class)
The Milgram Experiment & The
9/8
ethics debate
Research Project ‐ Statement of Ethical Concerns [due 9/10]

Module 3: Learning from the research of others
Quiz 4 ‐ Chapter
How to find research articles Exercise 5 ‐ Research articles
9/10 15
(Computer Lab) [In class]
(Before class)
Exercise 6 ‐ Writing an abstract
9/15 Elements of an article
[Complete on line by 9/17]
Exercise 7 ‐ Evaluating what you
9/17 Summarizing and critiquing articles read ‐ Writing an annotation
[Complete on line by 9/22]
Work day
9/22
(Computer Lab)
Research Project ‐Literature review bring 4 copies to class on 9/29

Module 4: Designing the study
Quiz 5 ‐ Chapter
Exercise 8 ‐ Causal Relationships
9/24 The research process & Causality 4
[In class]
(Before class)
Quiz 6 ‐ Chapter
Conceptualization and Exercise 9 ‐ Constructing a testable
9/29 5
Operationalization hypothesis [In class]
(Before class)
Research Project ‐ Conceptualization and Operationalization of your Research Project[due 10/1]
Quiz 7 ‐ Chapter
Exercise 10 ‐ Constructing a scale
9/29 Constructing Indexes and Scales 6
[On line by 2/26]
(Before class)
Research Project Literature Review ‐ Peer Critiques [Bring to class 10/1]]
Quiz 8 ‐ Chapter
Exercise 11 ‐ Group sampling
10/1 Probability Sampling 7
activity [In class]
(Before class)

Module 5:
Quiz 9 ‐ Chapter
Exercise 12 ‐ Group experiment
10/6 Conducting Experiments 8
activity [In class]
(Before class)
Quiz 10 ‐
10/8 Pointers on Survey Research Chapter 9
(Before class)
10/13 Fall Break
Exercise 13 ‐ Group survey design
10/15 The how to of Survey Research
activity [In class]
Quiz 11 ‐
Survey Analysis Exercise 14 ‐ Survey analysis
10/20 Chapter 13
(Computer Lab) worksheet [In class]
(Before class)
Individual Survey Analysis Work
10/22
(Go to Super Lab on your own)
Individual Survey Analysis Work Survey Analysis Report [due 10/29
10/27
(Go to Super Lab on your own) by 5:00 PM]
Research Project‐ Individual meetings with Dr. Sills to Review Your Survey Findings [10/22 and10/27]
Quiz 12 ‐
Constructing Interview Protocols Exercise 15 ‐ interview question
10/29 Chapter 10
(Computer Lab) worksheet [In class]
(Before class
Quiz 13 ‐
11/3 Interview tips Chapter 14
(Before class)
Interview Analysis Exercise 16 ‐ interview analysis
11/5
(Computer Lab) activity [In class]
11/10 Interview Analysis
Research Project ‐ Interview Analysis Report [due 11/12 by Class]
Exercise 17 ‐ Observation activity
11/12 Observation Research ‐
[In class]
Optional Research Project ‐ Observation Assignment [due 11/19 by Class]

Module 6: Sharing what you’ve learned
Exercise 18 ‐ Report activity
11/17 Writing a Research Report ‐
[In class]
Research Project ‐ Rough Draft of Research Project Report bring 4 copies to class 11/17
11/19 Rough Draft ‐ Peer Critiques
11/24 Rough Draft ‐ Peer Critiques
Research Project ‐ Rough Draft Instructor Critiques Available [On or Before 12/1]
12/1 Research Presentations
12/3 Research Presentations
Research Project ‐ Final Draft of Research Report [due 12/8 by 5 pm]

Module 1 ‐ How do we know things?
Readings
• Babbie Chapter 1 (p3)
• Babbie Chapter 2 (p32)
• Optional ‐ Neuman Ch1 [Blackboard]
• Optional ‐ Trochim Language Of Research
www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/language.php
Quizzes
• Quiz 1 Babbie Chapter 1 (20 pts)
Exercises
• Exercise 1 ‐ What do you know? (10 pts)
• Exercise 2 ‐Variable and Attributes (10 pts)
• Exercise 3 ‐ Critical thinking (20 pts)
Class discussions and demonstrations
• What is social research?
• The rules and patterns of society ‐ how do we know them?
• Types of research, basic vs. applied, the research process, Inductive vs. deductive research
Research Project
• Introduction to the research project ‐ Selecting a topic:
starting from what you know, what resources you have access
to, and what you are interested in (10 pts)

Module 2 ‐ The ethics of investigation
Readings
• Babbie Chapters 3 (p64)
• Trochim Foundations ‐ Ethics in Research
www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/ethics.php
Quizzes
Exercises
• Exercise 4 ‐ Institutional Review Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative Online Training
(50 pts)

• CITI training
• Video: The Milgram Experiment
• The ethics debate: weighing social gains vs. individual concerns
Research Project
• Statement of Ethical Concerns (10pts)

Module 3 ‐ Learning from the research of others
Readings
• Babbie Ch 15 (p 470)
• Babbie Appendix A (p 498)
• Finding It! A Research Skills Tutorial! (Chapters 1‐6)
http://library.uncg.edu/depts/ref/tutorial/
• Optional ‐ Pan Preparing Literature Reviews Chapters 3 & 5
[Blackboard]
• Optional ‐ How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography
www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill28.htm
Quizzes
Exercises
• Exercise 5 ‐ Research articles (10 pts)
• Exercise 6 ‐ Writing an abstract (20 pts)
• Exercise 7 ‐ Evaluating what you read: writing an
annotation (30 pts)
• How to find research articles
• Elements of an article
• Summarizing and critiquing articles
Research Project
• Literature review on your research topic (50 pts)
Module 4 ‐ Designing the study
Readings
• Babbie Chapter 4 (p 94)
• Optional ‐ Trochim Design www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/design.php
• Optional ‐ Trochim Measurement www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/measure.php
• Optional ‐ Trochim Sampling www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/sampling.php
Quizzes

Exercises
• Exercise 8 ‐ Causal Relationships
(10 pts)
• Exercise 9 ‐ Constructing a
testable hypothesis (10 pts)
• Exercise 10 ‐ Constructing a scale (10 pts)
• Exercise 11 ‐ Group sampling activity (10 pts)
• The research process & Causality
• Conceptualization and Operationalization
• Constructing Indexes and Scales
• Probability Sampling
Research Project
• Conceptualization and Operationalization of your Research Project (10 pts)
• Literature Review ‐ Peer Critiques (10 pts)
Module 5 ‐ Asking Questions and Collecting Information
Readings
• Babbie Chapter 8 (244)
• Babbie Chapters 9 (268)
• Schensul et al 1999
Exploratory or open‐ended observation
• Optional ‐ Trochim Analysis
www.socialresear
chmethods.net/k
b/analysis.php
Quizzes
Exercises
• Exercise 12 ‐ Group experiment activity (10 pts)
• Exercise 13 ‐ Group survey design activity (10 pts)
• Exercise 14 ‐ Survey analysis worksheet (20 pts)
• Exercise 15 ‐ Interview question worksheet (10 pts)
• Exercise 16 ‐ Interview analysis activity (10 pts)
• Exercise 17 ‐ Observation activity (20 pts)
• Conducting experiments
• Designing and administering a survey
• Survey analysis
• Conducting Interviews
• Interview analysis
• Observational research

Research Project
• Individual meetings with Dr. Sills to Review Your Survey
Questions (10 pts)
• Individual meetings with Dr. Sills to Review Your Survey
Findings (20 pts)
• Survey Analysis Report (50 pts)
• Interview Analysis Report (50 pts) OPTIONAL
Observation Assignment (Extra Credit +50 pts)

Module 6 ‐ Sharing what you’ve learned.
Readings
• Neuman Ch 12 ‐ Writing a Research Report
• Writing a Research Report
• Presenting a Report
Exercises
• Exercise 18 ‐ Report activity (10 pts)
Research Project
• Rough Draft of Research Project Report (50
pts)
• Rough Draft ‐ Peer Critiques (10 pts)
• Final Draft of Research Report (100 pts)
• PRESENTATIONS OF REPORTS 5/12 (20 pts)
Policies
Attendance and Participation
Attendance is required. Participation in the class discussions is vitally important for the
understanding of the material. Attendance will be taken on five random occasions throughout the
semester. Each of these attendance checks will count for 20 pts each for a total of 100 pts (10% of
the final grade). If you are out for official reasons, sick, or absent for any other pre‐approved reason,
you will be given an attendance make‐up assignment worth 20 pts. It is your responsibility to contact
the instructor regarding make‐up. This must be completed within one week of the absence. Note
that class activities and assignments may not be made up. If you are absent for any unapproved
reason, you will not receive credit for that day and no make‐up will be provided. Additionally, the
instructor will be scoring you on the basis of active class participation (30 pts). Attendance and
Participation will count for a total of 280 pts or 28% of your final grade
Quizzes
Success in this course relies on your preparations for class. You are required to read the text and
other assigned materials before class. For each text chapter there is a corresponding online quiz. You
must complete the quiz BEFORE class. You may attempt the quiz ass many times as you like, retaking
it until you receive the score you would like, but the quiz will no longer be available after the start of
class. Each attempt is a different randomized quiz from a pool of question. After the scheduled
date/time there will be no make up allowed. Your last grade recorded will count as your final quiz
grade. You may work ahead in the text. There are 13 quizzes, each worth 20 points for a total of 260
pts or 26% of your final grade
Exercises
Each module has several online and/or in‐class activities or exercises. These exercises are hands‐on
opportunities to explore research methods and techniques. Point values vary based on the amount
of involvement required. Exercises will count for a total of 280 pts or 28% of your final grade
Research Project
Throughout the course we will be conducting a research project. The project will involve the
development of a literature review, analysis of secondary data (GSS), as well as primary data
collection (survey and interview) and analysis. In each module you will work to compose a report of
findings. These reports will be compiled into a final report and presentation of findings. The project
will count as one‐third of your final grade (330 pts).
Late Work
Many assignments are only offered in class and make ups are not available. Quizzes must be
submitted on time. Other assignments, submitted late will be penalized ‐10% of original value per
day.
Religious/Cultural Holidays:
You have the right to observe major religious/cultural holidays without penalty. At least one week
before the holiday, you should submit a written statement that includes both the date of the holiday
and the reason why class attendance is impossible. Prior arrangements must be made. If prior
arrangements have been made, you will not be penalized.
Illness:
If you are absent due to personal illness, or illness of a dependent, you must provide written
documentation to that effect. Acceptable documentation includes doctor’s note (on office
letterhead), hospital record, or records from a recognized medical/healthcare agency.
Extra Credit:
You will be given the option of completing several extra credit assignments during the course. These
activities expand upon the methods and information presented in the text. Additionally, you may
attend any lectures, colloquia, or presentations on campus that present findings from a research
study. You must write a 2‐3 page summary and critique after attending the presentation. If you are
uncertain about whether a presentation fits the description, please see me prior to attendance. ALL
EXTRA CREDIT IS DUE BY THE LAST DAY OF CLASS – NO EXCEPTIONS.
Special Needs and Considerations:
Please let me know at the beginning of the semester if you have a physical or learning disability that
may need accommodations. The college will make reasonable accommodations for persons with
documented disabilities. Students should also notify Student Services of any special needs.
Cell Phones & Laptops
Please turn your cell phones off. Please do not answer cell phone calls or text messages in class. IF
YOU DO I WILL ASK YOU TO LEAVE THE CLASS AND YOU WILL BE MARKED ABSENT FOR THAT DAY.
If for some reason you must have a cell phone on, discuss with me before class and switch the phone
to silent mode (special cases such as a child in the hospital, etc). Laptops are encouraged in class.
However, chatting, checking e‐mail, surfing, etc. are to be discouraged. If you are not using your
laptop for legitimate class activities, please turn it off. If laptops become a distraction, I will ask you
to put them away.

Syllabus Soc 301

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Syllabus Soc 301

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sociology 301

You might also like