Objectives

It is the purpose of this course to survey the field of research methodology in such a way as to enable the student to…

a. Generate a viable research design of their own, and

b. Critically evaluate research methods as used by fellow professional psychologists,

c. Be capable of applying a wide array of research concepts (both quantitative and qualitative) to the evaluation of research studies both of others and of their own design

d. Be aware of fundamental epistemological problems involved in research methods and of ethical ways of confronting these problems and

e. Be aware of the influence culture, ethnicity, class, role and gender may have in influencing the research process.

Texts: Recommended

“Surviving your Dissertation”, Rudestam, K and Newton, R., Sage, London, 1992

“Dictionary of Statistics and Methodology”, Vogt, W., Sage, London, 1993.

“An Introduction to Qualitative Research”, Flick, U., Sage, London, 2002.

Course Outline

Topics Reading: Chapters

(Rudestam and Newton)

1 Introduction 1-3

Types of Research

Proposals

2 Types of Research

Generating Questions

Evaluating Research 4-5

3. Evaluating Research

Measurement Problems 5-6

4. Classic Design Errors

Students evaluate studies 7

5. Quasi- Experimental Designs 8-10

Control and Interpretability

6. Cultural Issues and Research Design

Students Evaluate Studies 12

7. Qualitative Research (see Flick, assigned

sections)

Grounded Theory

8. Qualitative Research

Narrative, Episodic and Ethnographic

Approaches.

9. Qualitative Research

Interpreting the Data

10. Development of Measures

Interviewing

Questionnaire and Survey Design

11. Ethical Issues in Research 12

12. Single Case Studies

Clinical Research

13. Evaluation of Studies brought in by students

Presentation of Findings

14. Statistics, selecting the correct tool

15. Presentation and evaluation of student proposals.

Evaluation

Final Research Proposal 60%

In class activities 10%

Research Study Critiques (4) 20%

Research Proposal Presentation 10%

Total 100%

Description of Assignments

Proposal:

The final research proposal should follow the outline furnished by the instructor and should describe a potential viable EMPIRICAL research design in an area of interest to the student. This design could be quantitative or qualitative. It should demonstrate mastery of the concepts covered in the class and should thus have the potential to lead to a publication in a scholarly, refereed journal.

Research study critique (4)

The research study critique presentation is a 15 – 20 minute presentation of a critical analysis of an empirical study in the student’s area of interest. The student should furnish the rest of the group with a one page typed summary of the research paper to be critiqued and give a presentation and lead a critical discussion concerning the study. The presentation/discussion should utilize at least three of the concepts covered in the class and should point out strengths and weaknesses of the research design. The instructor will furnish the students with two outlines to help structure this presentation.

Proposal Presentation

The proposal presentation discussion involves the student presenting and “defending” their final research proposal with the rest of the class. The student should furnish the rest of the group with a one-page summary of their proposal. The instructor will provide the proposal outline.

Nota bene: Proposal writing involves fermentation and interaction. Please feel free to ask questions regarding your proposal throughout, either in-class or out-of-class.

Special Needs

Students who have special needs regarding the class by virtue of a disability (or any other situation) are encouraged to let the instructor know as soon as is possible so that reasonable accommodations might be made.