1. One midterm examination (essay and short essay) on Thursday, October 25.

2. One final examination (essay and short essay).

3. A major requirement of the course (40% of the course grade) is the term project (term paper) which will consist of an empirical research study, from formulation and design through data analysis, of either primary data the student gathers or secondary data, and finally write-up. Both qualitative projects as well as quantitative projects will be acceptable. Close consultation with the instructor/preceptor is necessary for this project. The term project is due on: Tuesday, January 15,"Dean's date," 5:00 p.m., in Wallace Hall.

4. Precept participation. Precepts will be used for discussion and clarification of the reading materials; discussion and critique of existing studies; student projects; and especially during the second half of the course, for limited training in statistical analysis, which entails the use of SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences).

Reading:

• E. Babbie, The Practice of Social Research (9th Edition), Wadsworth Publishing Company, 2001. Available at the U-Store.

• SPSS Guide to Data Analysis, (Windows Version) Prentice-Hall Publishing Co. Available at the U-Store.

• Reading selections are from the packet for purchase at Pequod.

WEEK 1 (September 13, 18, 20): Introduction to the Research Process

1. Babbie, Chapter 1 and start Chapter 2.

WEEK 2 (September 25 & 27): Theory, Research, and Causation

1. Babbie, Chapters 2 and 3.
2. Kerlinger, "Constructs, Variables, and Definitions" (Pequod packet).

WEEK 3 (October 2 & 4): Design, Conceptualization, Measurement, and Measurement Error

1. Babbie, Chapters 4, 5, and skim 6.
2. A.R. Jensen, BIAS IN MENTAL TESTING, pp. 465-515 (in packet) [skim].
3. H.F. Taylor, "Biases in 'Bias in Mental Testing" (in packet).
4. H.F. Taylor, "Intelligence," ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SOCIOLOGY (in packet).

WEEK 4 (October 9 & 11): Sampling and Sample Design

1. Babbie, Chapter 7.
2. "The Structure of a National Black Leadership Network: Preliminary Findings" (in packet); and article by Jackson, Thoits, and Taylor (1995) (in packet).
3. Begin individual conferences on term projects.

WEEK 5 (October 16 & 18): Experimental Design in Lab and Field; and Evaluation Research

1. Babbie, Chapter 8 and skim Chapter 12.

WEEK 6 (October 23 & 25): Midterm Review and Midterm Examination

1. (No new reading assignments).
2. A review session will be scheduled.
3. Midterm Examination: In class, Thursday, October 25.

WEEK 7 (November 6 & 8): Survey Research and Questionnaire Construction, Including Scaling Techniques; and Field Research; and Ethics in Social Research

1. Babbie, Chapters 9, and 10 and 18; and review of Chapters 6 carefully.
2. E. Anderson, A PLACE ON THE CORNER, preface through Chapter 2 (packet).
3. W. Gamson, "Ethnomethodology" (on special reserve).

WEEK 8 (November 13 & 15): Unobtrusive Research; Content Analysis; Indirect Measurement; Comments on Meta-Analysis; also Secondary Analysis; and Commentary on Field Research

1. Babbie, Chapter 11 & 13; review Chapters 9 and 10.
2. Skim: E.J. Webb, et. al., "Unobtrusive Measures" (packet).
3. Skim: Janet S. Hyde et al., "Gender Differences in Mathematics Performance: a Meta-Analysis" (packet).

WEEK 9 (November 20): Data Analysis Principles and Univariate Analysis

1. Babbie, Chapters 14 and 15. Also: A good time to read Appx. C (on the Research Report).
2. SPSS Guide, Chapters 1-4 and Chapter 6.

WEEK 10: (November 27 & 29): Bivariate Analysis Techniques and Reasoning

1. Babbie, Review Chapter 15, read Chapters 16 and 17, and Appx. I.
2. SPSS Guide, Review chaps. 1-4 & 6, Chapters 7, 16, and 18 (pp. 339-350 only).
3. Browse through D.C. Miller, HANDBOOK OF RESEARCH DESIGN AND SOCIAL MEASUREMENT, and especially J.P. Robinson, et. al., MEASURES OF PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTITUDES, both on special reserve; also various internet sources (to be designated).

WEEK 11 (December 4 & 6): Multivariate Analysis Techniques and Reasoning; also Elementary Causal Analysis

1. Babbie, Chapter 16 again; and Chapter 17 again.
2. SPSS Guide, Review Chapters 7, 16, and 18 (pp. 339-350) and read Chapters 14 (One-way ANOVA) and 15 (Two-way ANOVA.
3. H.M. Blalock, "Race Versus Class: Distinguishing Reality From Artifacts" (packet).
4. Selection from THE BELL CURVE (packet).
5. BELL CURVE critiques by Hauser, Taylor, and Duster, CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGY, (packet).

WEEK 12 (December 11 & 13): Policy Research; and Summary of Issues

1. Review reading for Week 11
2. Babbie, Chapters 18 (review) and 19 and Appendices B (Research in Cyberspace) and C (The Research Report).
3. SPSS Guide, review as necessary.

READING PERIOD JANUARY 7-15

TERM PROJECTS DUE: TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, Dean's Date, 5:00 P.M. Mail Room Wallace Hall