Faculty Contact Information:
Ken J. Kovach, EdD PSC 37, Box 3414
KJKovach@aol.com APO AE 09459
+44 1353 860 671 (ph/fax) | |
Consultation:
| E-mail. telecon, or after class. | |
Required Texts and Readings:
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association, (5th ed.). Washington DC: Author
Leedy, P.D. & Ormrod, J.E. (2005). Practical research: Planning & design (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Weiss, C. (1997). Evaluation (2nd ed.). Prentice Hall. --- Chapters 7, 10, 11 are required. Additional chapters may be assigned by the classroom instructor
Citing Electronic Resources: APA Style. Retrieved July 14, 2004 from http://www.umuc.edu/library/guides/apa.html
Online Guide to Writing and Research. Retrieved July 14, 2004 from
http://www.umuc.edu/prog/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/writinggde/welcome.shtml
Procedures for Completing the Research Project Notification and Human Subjects Protection Form. Retrieved June 16, 2004 from http://www.ed.umuc.edu/staff/faculty/detech/pedagogy/proceduresform.html
University Of Maryland University College Policy Manual Policy 130.25: Conducting Research Involving Human Subjects. Retrieved June 16, 2004 from http://www.ed.umuc.edu/staff/faculty/detech/pedagogy/policy%20manual.html | |
Supplementary Readings:
| Graduate students should be prepared to utilize the UMUC online library. The library contains a large number of full text academic journals that are free of charge and immediately available. The library homepage also contains a number of links related to improving students' research and writing skills. | |
Recommended Journals:
A variety of full-text, online, free-of-charge and pay-per-view academic journals are listed on the Counseling WebBoard at http://webboard.ed.umuc.edu/couns/. and the PA WebBoard at http://webboard.ed.umuc.edu/~pa.
The Qualitative Report, a peer-reviewed, on-line journal devoted to writing and discussion of and about qualitative, critical, action, and collaborative inquiry and research, is especially useful for this course. | |
Course Description:
| Prerequisite: Undergraduate American political science or American government. This course focuses on the study and application of research methodology for organizations for use as a tool in decision-making. Emphasis is on applied research theories and designs for methodological approaches that apply non-experimental and quasi-experimental research designs as part of the research strategy. | |
Course Goals:
| As one of two research methods courses in the MPA program, this course provides graduate students with the conceptual and practical tools to develop proposals for and conduct non-experimental research projects, policy analyses, and program evaluations, as well as to evaluate and incorporate the implications of published reports into their practice as professionals. M.P.A. students are actively encouraged to use this class to develop the proposal for the professional paper required in PUAD 604. | |
Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate
an understanding of the scientific method by distinguishing between applied, basic, quantitative and qualitative research, and descriptive and inferential statistics.
- Demonstrate
an understanding of program evaluation as a research methodology.
- Analyze
professional situations for research/evaluation purposes.
- Generate
research problem statements.
- Develop
research proposals appropriate to problems statements in specific professional settings.
- Execute
literature reviews.
- Formulate
hypotheses.
- Develop
data collection and data analyses strategies.
- Establish
the internal and external validity and the reliability of measurements.
- Analyze, interpret, and apply
published research findings to professional settings.
- Present
research findings in written and graphic or oral formats.
- Define
ethical and legal constraints on research.
- Analyze
the application of information technology in research. | |
Grading Information:
Grades for this course will be assigned as follows:
A 90%+
B 80 – 89%
C 70 – 79%
F Below 70%
Please note that Bowie State University does not use "D" for graduate students. The grade F(a) is used to designate academic failure. F(n) is used to designate failure for non-completion. Grades of Incomplete or Withdrawal are governed by UMUC-Europe policies. For further details, please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog. Hard copies of the catalog are available in your local Education Center. | |
Course Requirements:
Graduate school at the masters level focuses on helping students obtain the education needed for success as professionals in their chosen fields. Thus, UMUC-Europe Graduate Programs and Bowie State University share the common goals of promoting excellence in academic scholarship through thoughtful inquiry and the skillful application of knowledge and theory for the betterment of society.
Midterm Examination: 25%
Final Examination: 25%
Project: 20%
Participation: 30% | |
Description of Course Requirements:
Successful graduate students in American universities dedicate approximately three hours of preparation/study time for every hour spent in the face-to-face classroom. Thus, the following course requirements were developed on the assumption that students would be prepared to spend approximately 150 hours of their own time working on them. In an 8-week term, that is the equivalent of a half-time job. Most 14-week graduate distance education courses require at least 10 hours per week of dedicated time, plus time spent in the virtual classroom.
Examinations: Each exam will consist of multiple choice, exercises, and essays to assess understanding of topical issues. Each will be a time-limited, open book exercise to present sufficient information to warrant full credit. Each exam is valued at 25%.
Project: Each student will develop a mini research proposal in an appropriate design to use in further course work or real world applications. The proposal developed will include:
(a) Title page, (b) Abstract, (c) Table of Contents, (d) List of Tables, if used, (e) List of Figures, if used, (f) Chapter I – Introduction, (g) Chapter II- Review of the Literature, (h) Chapter III-Methodology, (i) Chapter IV-Anticipated Results and Conclusions, (j) References, and (k) Appendices, if used. Details of each component will be discussed in class and examples provided. The APA Manual will be the required writing guide. A hardcopy is required for noting and return for student feedback. The complete final report is due 19 December 2004. Grading will be on content (12%) and presentation (8%): total value 20 %. You may submit your report earlier, but not past the deadline
Participation: Active effort in class discussions and any other activity requiring student responses will be considered participation. Your communications are essential to learning. (Value = 30%)
Class Policies: Each student is expected to have thoroughly read all assignments, participate in class discussions, work with any assigned teams, and meet all assignments on time. University of Maryland standards of integrity and conduct will be met. Class assignments will be made during the term. Students who miss class work due to job or emergency reasons must complete all work for full credit before the end of the course and must communicate with the instructor for any missed student tasking. Each case is reviewed on its merit. Personal reasons involving leave, vacations, and other non-emergency or duty reasons are not grounds for approved makeup work. Assignments may be changed at the instructor's discretion, but sufficient time will be allowed for any necessary changes. Session periods are identified for class work. Incompletes will only be considered when adequate justification has been received by the instructor before the end of the course. The instructor will assign a date for completion of the any work required and will base it upon a reasonable time for completion. Lastly, communication is absolutely vital to the successful completion of this course. Let your instructor know of any reason for missed work or other item that will affect your course performance. Material from any personal work may be used in the course assignments as long as such is properly cited and referenced. | |
Course Schedule:
Course Schedule:
Session Topics Assigned readings/tasks
1 Introduction/OrientationTopic
30-31 Oct Review Qualitative vs Quantitative Research
Read chapters 1 & 2 of Leedy & Ormrod and review Weiss’ chapters 7, 10, and 11. Complete the plagiarism certificate for UMUC courses by visiting the following website and taking the brief assessment: http://www.umuc.edu/prog/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/modules/plagiarism/start.html. Provide your certificate date and number in class. Consider a research topic for your report. Review the APA and course texts.
1 Problem formulation
31 Oct Review of the Literature
Review all course materials and begin focusing on the topic for your research report. Read chapters 1 - 5 of Leedy & Ormrod and review Weiss’ chapters 4, 8, 10, and 11. Practice APA activities by visiting http://owl.english.purdue.edu and go to research documentation, then APA sites. Visit the Handouts site under APA and practice the tasks.
2 Research Process
13-14 Nov Question or Hypothesis
Read the course materials (as well as any useful material pertaining to these topics) to define what research is and what is meant by the research process. Read Ch 10 of Weiss and Leedy & Ormrod's chapter 5.
2 Problem formulation
13-14 Nov Research Models
Specifically read chapters 3 & 7 of Leedy & Ormrod and chapter 8 of Weiss. Consider stating your problem for the report. Complete any tasks assigned.
3 Writing the Introduction & Literature Review
13-14 Nov
Review all course materials relative to developing Introduction and Review of the Literature chapters. Complete any Conference and review the Course Content forum.
3 APA
13-14 Nov Research Hypothesis
Research Question
Null/alternate hypotheses
Visit the APA.org and owl.English.purdue.edu web sites to practice and learn more about APA writing style. Formulate your research question, research hypothesis, or null/alternate hypotheses. Review any course materials relative to these. Complete all assignments.
4 Validity & Reliability
14 Nov Levels of Measurement
Open Review
Review all course materials and complete tasks as assigned. Begin active work on your research report, if not already started. Review Leedy & Ormrod’s ch 5 and other relative material to the topics. Read Ch 6 of Weiss.
4 Midterm exam
14 Nov
Complete the midterm exam.
5 Methodology
4 Dec 04
Review the APA and course materials relative to presenting a Methodology.
5 Methodology
4-5 Dec Descriptive Statistics
Review course material relative to the session topics. Complete all taskings. Read Chs 9 & 11 of Leedy & Ormrod and related materials. Read Chs 7-11 of Weiss.
6 Descriptive Statistics
4-5 Dec Inferential Statistics
Data Collection
Review course material relative to the session topics. Complete all conferences established and review the Course Content. Read Chs 9 & 11 of Leedy & Ormrod and related materials. Review Weiss's ch 7.
6 Inferential statistics
4-5 Dec Data collection
Review course material relative to the session topics. Complete all taskings established and review Weiss.
7 Inferential statistics
18-19 Dec Results
Data Presentation
At this time, read all remaining chapters of the two texts and those pertaining to the session's topical issues. Review course material relative to the session topics.
7 Discussion and Analysis
18-19 Dec
Review course material relative to the session topics.
8 Findings & Conclusions
18-19 Dec Proposal
Discussions
Review course material relative to the session topics. Be prepared o discuss your proposal. Use the checklist provided n class.
8 Final exam
19 Dec Research Report
Complete your final exam. Hard copies of the report will be noted and returned.
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Academic Policies:
The University has a license agreement with Turnitin.com, a service that helps prevent plagiarism from internet resources. I may be using this service in this class by either requiring students to submit their papers electronically to Turnitin.com or by submitting questionable text on behalf of a student. If you or I submit part or all of your paper, it will be stored by Turnitin.com in their database throughout the term of the University's contract with Turnitin.com. If you object to this temporary storage of your paper, you must let me know no later than two weeks after the start of this class. Please Note: If you object to the storage of your paper on Turnitin.com, I may utilize other services to check your work for plagiarism.
The official university policy on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty can be found at http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml. Section I.C. states: Faculty may determine if the resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC), partially or in its entirety, is acceptable when assigning a grade on that piece of course work. Faculty must provide this information in their written syllabi. If the resubmission of course work is deemed to be unacceptable, a charge may not be brought under this Policy and will be handled as indicated in the written syllabi.
Please refer to Description of Course Requirements for specific information on how resubmissions will be treated in this course and to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog for information on the following:
Academic Integrity
Course Load
Exception to Policy
Grade Appeal Process
Make-up Examinations
Nondiscrimination
Students with Disabilities
Hard copies of the catalog are available at your local Education Center. | |
Faculty Bio:
Dr. Ken J. Kovach has been with UMUC since 1993, teaching a variety of subjects to include research & statistics, management, business statistics, managerial leadership, and others, as well as with several other colleges and universities in a variety of subjects (over 480 course completions). Ken previously served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, first enlisted, then commissioned. Major duties involved airborne command post, aerial delivery, command staff, logistics management, operations, plans, and transportation.
Within distance education, he has continuously taught over the Internet since 1995 after developing graduate and undergraduate courses for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a business management program for the National Business Aviation Association. He has developed research guidelines for several universities and has served as Research Advisor and Committee Chair for graduate research projects. Additionally he acts as Referee for The Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research and is an active member of Phi Gamma Sigma, as well the American Statistical Association, the American Counseling Association, and the Institute of Transport Administration. His recent publication was Corporate Aviation Management.
Ken’s bachelor’s of science was from the University of Tennessee in business, master of arts in guidance and counseling from Wayne State University, and doctorate of education in higher education from Nova University (Now Nova Southeastern). He has a British wife and two educated daughters.
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