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

Babbie, E. (2007). The Practice of Social Research (11th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson-Wadsworth Inc.

Leedy, P.D. & Ormrod, J.E. (2005). Practical Research: Planning & Design (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. [This text is also used for GUCO/PSYC 861 Seminar Paper.]

Citing Electronic Resources: APA Style. Retrieved July 14, 2003 from http://www.umuc.edu/library/guides/apa.html 

Online Guide to Writing and Research. Retrieved July 14, 2003 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, 2003 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, 2003 from http://www.ed.umuc.edu/staff/faculty/detech/pedagogy/policy%20manual.html

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method by distinguishing between applied, basic, quantitative and qualitative research, and descriptive and inferential statistics.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of program evaluation as a research methodology.
3. Analyze professional situations for research/evaluation purposes.
4. Generate research problem statements.
5. Develop research proposals appropriate to problems statements in specific professional settings.
6. Execute literature reviews.
7. Formulate hypotheses.
8. Develop data collection and data analyses strategies.
9. Establish the internal and external validity and the reliability of measurements.
10. Analyze, interpret, and apply published research findings to professional settings.
11. Present research findings in written and graphic or oral formats.
12. Define ethical and legal constraints on research.
13. Analyze the application of information technology in research.

A total of 1000 possible grade points can be earned in this course:

Exam #1: 250 points
Exam #2: 250 points
Exam #3: 250 points
Paper: 250 points

A = 90-100% Outstanding scholarship
B = 80-89% Good scholarship
C = 70-79% Satisfactory scholarship
F = 69-00% Failure

Please note that Bowie State University does not use "D" for graduate students. The grade "F" is used to designate academic failure. "FN" 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, available in your local Education Center or online at http://www.ed.umuc.edu/general_info/publications/catalogs.

Successful graduate students in American universities dedicate approximately three hours of preparation/study time for every hour spent in the onsite 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 eight-week term, that is the equivalent of a half-time job. Most fourteen-week graduate distance education courses require at least ten hours per week of dedicated time, plus time spent in the virtual classroom.

Participate in classroom discussions: You are expected to come to class prepared to engage in all discussions in a professional and informed manner.

Write graduate level papers or case studies: You are required to conduct professional-level research, including appropriately citing works of others and avoiding plagiarism. Resubmission of coursework from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC, UMUC-Europe or BSU), partially or in its entirety, is not acceptable in this course and will result in an automatic failure on the assignment. APA style is mandatory for all graduate counseling course work. Plan on committing approximately 150 hours over the duration of this course to producing professional level work.

Orally/visually present prepared material: You are required to present your research in a professional manner. In an onsite course, this typically means an oral presentation accompanied by appropriate visual material. In an online class, this means creating a visual/textual presentation for your instructor and classmates.

Complete one or more written examination(s): The examination process in this class will assist you in developing the writing and critical thinking skills necessary for successfully passing the comprehensive exam required of all graduate students. The questions used in this course will either be taken directly from past comprehensive exams or written as though to be included on a comprehensive exam.

Each exam will consist of two sections; an objective section consisting of a variety of multiple-choice questions, and a written section consisting of several essay questions. Each exam will test approximately 1/3 of the material covered in class and text. The final exam is not comprehensive. Further details regarding exam format and content (e.g., review sheets) will be discussed in class.

Students are required to write an 8 – 12 page paper written and formatted according to APA standards. This paper should take the form of a literature review examining an area of interest pertinent to the topic of qualitative research methods. The paper must cite a minimum of 8 sources besides the assigned texts. Bear in mind that you are expected to have read any articles you have cited!