Pittsburg State University
Department of Technology and Workforce Learning
TTED 891 – Methods of Research
Semester: Fall 2013
Location: Salina Area Technical College
Time: 5:00pm-10:00pm Friday, 8:00am – 6:00pm on Saturday
Dates: September 6-7, October 4-5 and November 1-2
Instructor: Dr. Greg Belcher
Office Hours: Monday 1:00 – 3:00pm, Tuesday 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00 – 3:00pm
Phone: 620-235-4637
E-mail Address: gbelcher@pittstate.edu
Course Description:
Involves the fundamental principles and techniques of research.
Course Objectives:
• Define research: process and ends sought
• Discuss the characteristics of research
• List and define the types of research: identify studies by purpose and type
• Describe the sources of knowledge and define each
• List and describe the chapters and subsections of a research proposal or report
• Describe the characteristics of an appropriate proposal title
• Compare and contrast between assumptions, limitations and hypotheses
• Compare and contrast findings, conclusions and recommendations
• Describe why it is important for researchers to document and describe in detail their research
• Describe and define the content of the review of literature
• Determine the type of studies where hypotheses and research questions are used
• Compare and contrast the terms of validity and reliability
• Identify the levels of measurement and describe how they differ from one another
• Identify and describe descriptive, correlational/analytical, and experimental type research
• Compare and contrast quantitative research and qualitative research
• Compare and contrast pre-experimental, quasi-experimental and experimental research
• Define the different types of validity and state how each are established for a survey
• Define the different types of random samples
• Compare and contrast the benefits between a random sample and a convenience sample
• Identify and describe the threats to internal validity for all experimental designs
• Define and describe the five different designs of qualitative research
Textbook:
Leedy, P.D. & Ormod, J.E. (2010). Practical Research: Planning and Design (9th edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. ISBN 0-13-715242-6
Additional materials are available on CANVAS
University Policies:
Relevant university policies will apply in this course. The Student Handbook provides information which will help you in your effort while at PSU. Items such as the drop/add policy, important dates, student services, campus organizations and many other topics can all be found at the following web site: http://www.pittstate.edu/pubs/stuhbook/. The following web site addressing the rights and responsibilities of students may also be helpful to you: http://www2.pittstate.edu/pubs/stucode.html/. Specifically, academic misconduct by a student including, but not limited to, using, giving, or receiving of unauthorized aid on examinations or in the preparation of notebooks, themes, reports or other assignments; copying work from the internet; or knowingly misrepresenting the source of any academic work shall be enforced to the full extent allowable by Article 30 of the Code of Students Rights and Responsibilities.
Students with Special Needs: According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the responsibility of each student with a disability to notify the University of his/her disability and to request accommodations. If any member of this class feels that he/she has a qualified disability and needs special accommodations, he/she should contact or visit the EO Office at 218 Russ Hall, or go to www.pittstate.edu/eoaa and fill out a Request for Accommodation form.
The Department of Technology and Workforce Development is committed to a policy of educational equity. Accordingly, the Department adheres and follows university policies on equal opportunity and affirmative action; racial harassment; sexual harassment; nondiscrimination; consenting relationships, and; prevention of alcohol and drug abuse on campus and in the workplace. Copies of these university policies related to university life can be obtained from the Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Office in 218 Russ Hall, 1701 S. Broadway, 620-231-4185 or by going to: http://www.pittstate.edu/office/eoaa/.
Instructor Policies:
Assignment Policy – It is expected that assignments will be submitted on or before the specified due date. Incompletes for the course will only be assigned under extreme circumstances. Absolutely no class work will be accepted at a later time or date.
Attendance Policy – I recognize class participants as mature individuals who have developed both a sense of responsibility for and a commitment to their education. As such, schedule your doctor, dentist, lawyer, vacation, etc. and other appointments so as not to conflict with the class schedule. This class only meets three weekends. This is a small amount of time in consideration of the time which is available to you each week to schedule other activities, so plan accordingly.
The instructor reserves the right to revise the course outline as needed to allow for more or less time for specific subjects, to add topics as needed in response to student feedback or new developments in our world or the workplace, or to otherwise adjust the schedule to meet the mutually accepted needs of the instructor and the students.
While it is recognized that it is sometimes necessary to answer a cell phone in response to an emergency situation, please keep the use of cell phones, palm pilots, or other personal electronic devices to a minimum during class time. If you do have to answer an emergency call, please quietly excuse yourself from the classroom and re-enter, if needed, with a minimum amount of noise and disruption.
There is no extra credit or “make-up” work available in this course. The only way to improve a poor performance on an assignment or test is to better prepare yourself for the remaining assignments, attend class regularly, and attempt to engage the information more thoroughly.
Students are responsible for activating your PSU email account as this is how I and the university registrars or other offices will contact you concerning your status while at the university. Your PSU email account is the only reliable way the instructor has in communicating with students via email.
If you bring a lap top to class, limit its use to taking notes. Class policy prohibits watching DVD’s, surfing the Internet, listening to music or any downloads, emailing, or using the lap top to engage in an activity that is not class related or causes you or others to become distracted. Using a lap top for purposes other than taking notes will not be tolerated. If you do not or cannot adhere to this policy, the option of banning all lap top use in class or requesting that you drop from the class will be exercised.
Class Schedule
September 6-7 Introduction to Methods of Research and Course Schedule and Syllabus
Lesson 1 – Introduction to Research
Lesson 2 – Tools of Research
Lesson 3 – Developing the Problem
Lesson 4 – The Review of Literature
Lesson 5 – Research Strategies
October 4-5
Lesson 6 – Comparison of Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies
Qualitative Methodology Designs
Lesson 7 – Descriptive Research
Lesson 8 – Relational/Analytical Research
First research article critique is due November 4th
Lesson 9 – Pre-Experimental, Quasi Experimental and True-experimental Design
November 1-2 Lesson 10 – Descriptive Statistics
Second research article critique is due December 2nd
Lesson 11 – Inferential Statistics
Possible Points Grade Scale
Four Assignments (25 points each) 100
Mid-term Test 150 A 495-550
Final Test 150 B 440-494
Two Research Article Critiques (75 points each) 150 C 385-439
Total points possible 550 F 384 and below
Reading Assignments for Each Lesson
Practical Research, Planning and Design 9th edition Paul D. Leedy and Jeanne Ellis Ormrod
Lesson One: Introduction to Research Pgs. v, xiii-xvi, 1-11 in the textbook
Lesson Two: Tools of Research Pgs. 12-43 in the textbook
Lesson Three: Developing the Problem Pgs. 44-65 in the textbook.
Lesson Four: The Review of Literature Pgs. 66-84 in the textbook
Lesson Five: Research Strategies Pgs. 85-115 in the textbook
Lesson Six: Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative Methodologies
Qualitative Methodology Design
Pgs. 135-163 in the textbook
Lesson Seven: Descriptive Research Pgs. 182-222 in the textbook.
Lesson Eight: Correlational/Analytical Research Pgs. 183-187 in the textbook
Lesson Nine: Pre-experimental, Quasi-experimental and True Experimental Design
Pgs. 223-252 in the textbook.
Lesson Ten: Descriptive Statistics Pgs. 253-272 in the textbook
Lesson Eleven: Inferential Statistics Pgs. 272-285 in the textbook
