Syllabus

PSC 2500-01 Research Methods & Methodology (4 units)                 

Fall 2020 -- Online                                                               

Class Website: http://NDNUrm.blogspot.com                                      

Instructor: Patti Andrews

Email: pandrews@ndnu.edu

Office hours by Zoom by arrangement

Course Summary

This course is designed to pursue the foundations, processes, and methods of empirical and qualitative research to achieve knowledge about social, economic, political, and cultural phenomena.  It covers methodological issues and procedures from the generation of a research topic to the writing and presentation of the results.  The course is designed to provide the student with the necessary skills to conduct research, of a quantitative or qualitative type, and an understanding of the epistemological foundations of empirical knowledge.  

 

Texts

• Jose L. Galvan. Writing Literature Reviews: A Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. New York NY, Routledge, 2014, ISBN 978-1-936523-37-5 (Any edition will suffice, including this PDF available online.)

https://uomustansiriyah.edu.iq/media/lectures/8/8_2019_03_09!10_09_36_AM.pdf

• Mildred L. Patten. Questionnaire Research: A Practical Guide. New York NY, Routledge, 2014, ISBN 978-1-936523-31-3 (Any edition will suffice.)
• Philip H. Pollock III. The Essentials of Political Analysis. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2009

 

Learning Outcomes. Students will…

(HST PLO #4, PSC PLO # 6)

Students who successfully pass this course 

vwill be able to conduct quantitative and qualitative research

Ø  conduct review of literature and historiography

Ø  develop hypotheses

Ø  learn about sampling techniques

Ø  develop an appropriate research design and conduct fieldwork or primary research in primary sources

Ø  use statistical techniques to analyze data

Ø  or, employ historical techniques using primary and secondary sources to discuss a significant episode/issue in History

vdevelop the skills required to write papers in a scholarly format.

vand critically evaluate the procedures and results of such research performed by others.

 

Requirements

This is a hands-on class. Students will choose research topics and conduct original research, including literature review, questionnaire design, data collection, data input, data analysis, formal written results and presentation. Weekly readings and exercises will concurrently develop students’ abilities in these important aspects of research. 

 

Evaluation

               Weekly Modules & Exercises                                              400           40%

               Online Presence & Participation                                          200           20%

               Term Paper & Presentation                                                   400           40%

 

Student Success Center  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Student Success Center (SSC) remains dedicated to supporting students’ academic success at NDNU and has transitioned its services online. The SSC continues to provide online writing and subject tutoring.  Please contact Laura Mizuha, Assistant Director of Writing at lmizuha@ndnu.edu for additional information in both areas.

 

The goal of the Student Success Center is to promote student learning and academic innovation. Professional staff members, academic advisors, and faculty members work together to promote a supportive educational environment, which now includes professional online subject and writing tutoring support.

 

Disability Resource Center

Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.   Students who are experiencing conditions that are temporarily disabling (i.e. scheduled surgeries, hospitalizations, injuries, etc.) are strongly encouraged to contact the DRC.  Our desire is to assist you with managing the impact of these circumstances.    

 

Please meet with the DRC staff through a virtual meeting in order to: verify your eligibility for any classroom accommodations; and, for academic assistance related to your disability.   Accommodations are not provided retroactively.  The DRC can be reached by email at DRC@ndnu.edu.  

 

Counseling Services  Counselingservices@ndnu.edu       

The mission of Counseling Services is to promote and enhance the overall wellbeing of students so that they may reach their potential for personal growth and academic success. If you are a currently enrolled student and would like to discuss your mental health needs, please feel free to email Counselingservices@ndnu.edu to schedule an appointment. We are currently offering telemental health services only with the following hours: Monday - Wednesday 10am-6pm and Thursday from 10am-4pm.

 

Academic Honesty

NDNU’s core values include learning, integrity, and honesty, values we live out in all areas of our learning community. Academic honesty means you are able to demonstrate your own knowledge and skills and receive feedback on your learning that can help you improve. By taking responsibility for your own work and avoiding actions that could give you an unfair advantage over others, you are contributing to the NDNU learning community and developing professional skills and values that will serve you well into the future. Academic honesty is one of the most important values of a university community, and breaches of this trust have serious consequences. Please see the Student Handbook for a detailed discussion of Academic Conduct expectations.

 

Course Evaluations/Teaching Effectiveness Surveys: Term 2 and Full-Semester Courses

Teaching Effectiveness Surveys (course evaluations) will be available online through Campus Portal from December 7 - 23, 2020.   Your feedback regarding courses and faculty is very important to Notre Dame de Namur University, to your faculty, and to me as the instructor for this course.  Your feedback helps us review and improve their teaching, helps departments/programs review and improve program content, and is used by the university in making decisions about tenure, promotion, and hiring decisions for part-time faculty.

 

Directions: To access, please enable pop-ups in your browser (uncheck pop-up blocker), then in Campus Portal look for the "You have an active survey" link in the left sidebar. Click that link to open the Course Evaluation Surveys page, which has a link to a survey for each course in which you're enrolled.  Your feedback is very important!  Please complete your evaluations for all your courses promptly.  Remember: Your responses are anonymous.