University of Maryland in Europe

 

 

         Research Methods                                             Instructor:  Carol A. Dolan, Ph.D.         

         EDMS 645   Term 1 - Kapaun                              e-mail: doctordolan@operamail.com

         Weekends   16/17 Aug, 7/8 Sep, 21/22 Sep & 5/6 Oct      0900 - 1600

                                                                                         

 

Required Textbook and Materials:

                                                                

LaFountain, Rebecca M. & Robert B. Bartos (2002).  Research and statistics made
meaningful in counseling and student affairs.  Pacific Grove, CA:  Brooks/Cole.

 

A basic calculator.

 

Supplementary Materials:

American Psychological Association (2001) Publication Manual of the American
Psychological Association, 5th edition.  Washington, DC

 

Course Description and Objectives

This course is designed to provide the knowledge necessary to understand the
processes of collecting and analyzing research data, interpreting published research
results, and to permit preparation and presentation of professional research papers. 
Students will also develop a basic knowledge and understanding of widely used
statistical tests.  Content to include:

·        basic research design

·        communicating research results - proposal and report writing

·        descriptive statistics

·        sampling and inferential statistics

·        hypothesis testing

·        T-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi-square

·        correlational methods, linear and multiple regression

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

·        identify and discuss the major steps in conducting a research study

·        understand statistical concepts essential for data analysis and evaluation

·        prepare and interpret descriptive statistics

·        understand methods used to collect and analyze data

·        understand the use inferential statistics for research in applied settings

·        analyze and interpret published research use statistical techniques

·        apply basic skills and the appropriate formulae necessary for the application
of statistical concepts

·        complete a research proposal using APA format

 

 

Course Requirements:. 

·        It will expected that students have read the material assigned for each class
 prior to the class meeting.  Required readings for each class are listed below. 
Given the often complicated and sometimes confusing nature of statistics and
statistical jargon, you may need to read the materials more than once.

·        Class lectures will highlight key points and provide an opportunity for you to ask
specific questions, and for the entire group to work through particularly challenging
problems and examples.

 

Criteria for Grading

 

1.      Critique of Research Articles (2 @ 15% each)
Students will read and critique 2 research articles in terms of research design, methodology
and appropriate use of statistics.  A 3-5 page analysis should address questions about the
rationale (reason for conducting the study, contribution to the field, etc), sampling (who were
selected for the study and how were they selected?, how generalizable are results?),
hypothesis testing (what question is the research trying to answer?), variables (identify and
address measures used), methodology (were the appropriate research design and statistics
used?) and overall evaluation of the study.  Articles for review can be selected from a list
provided by the instructor, or, if you find a study particularly relevant to your interests, please
submit it to the instructor for approval.

2.      Descriptive statistics assignments  20%
Students will access a survey (available on line) and conduct basic data collection and
descriptive data analysis. 

3.      Research Proposal  30%
Design a research study on a problem of your choice.  The proposal should clearly identify
variables, research design, sampling of research participants, and methods of statistical
analysis.  A brief literature is required.  The emphasis should be on the development of a
realistic design, the appropriate measurement of variables of interest, and the use of sound
methodology.  A brief presentation to the class will be required.

4.      Exam   20%

Exam will be made up of short answer questions and problems, covering material from
the text.  In this section, very little emphasis will be placed on calculations, but students
will need to understand the basics of descriptive statistical.

 

 

  Grade will be based on:

            Exam                                                  20%                A = 90 - 100%

            Critiques (2 @ 15 points)                 30%                B = 80 - 89 %

            Stats assignments                            20%                C = 70 - 79 %

Proposal                                            30%                D = 60 - 69 %

                                                                                                F = below 70%

Course Schedule

 

Dates	Pre-class Reading Assignments	Products, Due Dates, etc.
Weekend 1   Aug 17, 18	Ch. 1 – Research Process Ch. 2 – Research Approaches & Lit             Review Ch. 3 – The Research Problem Ch. 4 – Hypothesis Read Ch. 7 - Descriptive Statistics	- Overnight assignment:  Sample critique - Assign descriptive stats problems - Distribute article for Critique 1, due via       email by 25 AUGUST
Weekend 2   Sep 7,8	Ch. 6 – Sampling Ch. 5 – Validity in Research Ch. 9 – Reliability Read Ch. 8 - Descriptive Statistics II	- Hand back Critique 1 - Stats Problem 1 due - Due: Research Topic & Outline - Distribute article for Critique 2, due via      email by 15 SEPTEMBER
Weekend 3   Sep 21, 22	Ch. 7 – Descriptives I Ch. 8 – Descriptives II Ch. 13 – Inferential statistics Ch. 11 – The Research Report	- Hand back Critique 2 - Stats Problem 2 due - Discussion of Proposal  -- Research      Design - Abstract of Proposal due via email to     me and class by 3 OCTOBER Problem 3 due Weekend 4
Weekend 4   Oct 5, 6	Exam Read all student abstracts, be     prepared for discussion Student presentations	- Stats Problem 3 due - Final Exam 5 OCTOBER - Completed Proposal due NO LATER     THAN 0900 on 3 OCTOBER (early is     OK!) - Presentations of proposals 6 OCT

 

 

Dr. Carol A. Dolan received her BA in Psychology at St. Michael’s College in Vermont, and her MA and PhD degrees in Psychology from the University of North Carolina.  Main areas of research include studies on the relationship between personality and health, and the effects of stress and coping on health.  Recent research publications and presentations focus on stress, coping, health and organizational outcomes in the military environment.  Dr. Dolan has had extensive research experience and has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in at least 10 countries!  Interests include travel, cooking, stained glass art, and riding a Harley around Europe with her spouse!