Sociology 351 Fall 1997
Call # 05389 T/Th 3-5
ELEMENTARY RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
Professor Ann R. Tickamyer
286 Lindley
593-1381
email: tickamye@oak.cats.ohiou.edu (home page in process: http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~tickamye/)
Office hours: T/TH 2-3, W 11-12, and by appointment
Course Objectives:
This course is an introduction to social science research methods, the tools used by sociologists
and other social scientists to gather information, test theories, and produce knowledge. It will examine
major issues and techniques in sociological research and will explore how sociologists use scientific
methods to research questions and issues important to the discipline and to society. By the end of the
course students will be familiar with the major issues and options in doing sociological research and will
have experience in doing some of the tasks entailed in such research. Specific objectives include:
1) understanding how sociological research is conducted;
2) learning when and why different techniques of data collection and analysis are used;
3) gaining experience in doing tasks related to social science research; and
4) developing an ability to recognize and critically evaluate the impact of social science research
in everyday life.
Texts
Required:
Babbie, Earl. 1998. The Practice of Social Research. 8th ed. Wadsworth.
Course Format and Policies:
Attendance and Participation: The course will include both lecture, discussion, and group
work. Students are expected to do all the reading, attend all classes, participate in class discussion and
activities, and hand in assignments and homework on time. Although formal roll will not always be
taken, class participation and activities are requirements and will be counted toward the final grade.
Regular attendance and work in class is necessary for understanding the material, meeting the
requirements, and doing well in the course. Students are responsible for all materials covered in class
as well as in the text, homework, and assignments.
Assignments: All assignments, exercises, and exams are due at the specified times and
cannot be made up without prior approval and then only with very good cause (as judged by the
instructor). There are no makeup exams, except in extreme emergencies. In the event of such an
emergency, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor and make alternative
arrangements acceptable to the instructor. Homework and in-class work cannot be made up.
Grading: Grades will be determined as follows:
3 exams (short answer, definitions, short essays and problems): Exam 1 (midterm exam 1) 100 points
Exam 2 (midterm exam 2) 100 points
Exam 3 (final exam) 100 points
Class participation and exercises (attendance and
in-class activities, and homework) 50 points
2 assignments (2 papers or projects, 50 points each) 100 points
TOTAL 450 points
Participation points: Students start out with a "bank" of 50 points. Failure to come to class, do
homework, and contribute to class activities will result in the deduction of 1 to 3 points each, depending
on the activity. Full attendance and participation earns all 50 points.
Assignments: Assignments will be handed out separately with detailed instructions for
completing them.
Meaning of Grades: Grades are calculated on a point basis. The meaning of each letter grade
can be understood as follows:
"A" represents the highest quality work, attaining excellence in knowledge of the material and
understanding of the arguments. Work is presented thoroughly and in depth while still
maintaining clarity, cogency, and conciseness in both style and content.
"B" is similar but fails to reach excellence. Material is not as well developed, organized, clearly
presented, or well written. Mistakes are made in both substance and presentation.
"C" is the minimal acceptable effort to meet the requirements, demonstrating general
comprehension but lacking depth, clarity, sufficient detail or examples, and displaying numerous
mistakes in both content and style.
"D" represents less than minimal acceptable work, frequently arising either from failure to
communicate knowledge that exists or major misunderstanding of the material and
requirements. Knowing material is not enough. It must be communicated clearly.
"F" is work that is not acceptable for college level work.
Final Grades: Grades are calculated on the basis of points accumulated throughout the quarter.
The minimum number of total points necessary for a final grade in the class are as follows:
Letter Grade Percentage Points
A = 94% or above > 423
A- = 90 - 93% 405-422
B+ = 88 - 89% 396-404
B = 84 - 87% 378-395
B- = 80 - 83% 360-377
C+ = 78 - 79% 351-359
C = 74 - 77% 333-350
C- = 70 - 73% 315-332
D+ = 68 - 69% 306-314
D = 64 - 67% 288-305
D- = 60 - 63% 270-287
F = < 60% < 270
Conduct: Lively discussion is highly valued and will contribute to the interest of the course. At
the same time, all class members are expected to be courteous and respectful of others' opinions and to
treat controversial topics in a serious, open-minded, and mature manner.
Academic Misconduct: In accordance with university policy, as stated in the student handbook,
academic misconduct, including cheating and plagiarism, will not be tolerated. Penalties can range
from automatic failure to expulsion from the university, depending on the nature of the infraction.
Tentative Schedule and Assignments:
The schedule is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class. Assignments will be
handed out in class. Students are expected to complete reading by class time and prepare any
exercises assigned for that class.
Week: Date: Topic: Reading:
1 9/9-11 Intro, Human Inquiry Prologue, chapter 1
2 9/16-18 Theory, Research, Causation chapters 2,3
3 9/23-25 Research Design, Review chapter 4
9/25 Midterm Exam 1
4 9/30-10/2 Conceptualization, Measurement chapters 5,6,7
5 10/7-9 Sampling chapter 8
10/9 Assignment 1 due
6 10/14-16 Experiments, Survey Research chapters 9,10
7 10/21-23 Field/Unobtrusive/Evaluation Research chapters 11,12,13
8 10/28-30 Ethics, Politics, Review chapter 18
10/30 Midterm Exam 2
9 11/4-6 Data Analysis chapters 14,15
10 11/11-13 Data Analysis chapters 16,17
11/11 Assignment 2 due
11 11/21 Final Exam