Class

Date

Topics and assignments

  1

MAY 31

Introduction to the course -- Review of the syllabus

The research process -- What it is and what it aims to do

Introduction to variables and levels of measurement

Univariate descriptive statistics -- Frequency distributions

  2

JUN 5

Science: (1) Traditional positivism and (2) more constructivist views

Epistemology and the research process

Descriptive statistics continued -- Three major measures of central tendency (mode, median, and arithmetic mean)

  3

JUN 6

Error model of research

Reliability and (construct) validity of measurements

Considering qualitative alternatives to reliability and validity of measurements or an “end to criteria?”

Descriptive statistics continued -- Three major measures of dispersion or variability (range, variance, and standard deviation) and two minor ones (interquartile range [IQR] and coefficient of variation [CV])

REVIEW

Group meetings

  4

JUN 7

Question identification and research design

Conceptualization of a study and operationalization of variables

Statistics as a rhetorical act

Group meetings

In-class exercise -- Evaluation of Mayer & Terrill (2005) – GRP

5

JUN 12

Descriptive statistics continued -- Graphic displays, symmetric and skewed distributions, resistant and non-resistant measures, stem-and-leaf plots, the six-figure summary, and box-plots

REVIEW

ASSIGNMENT DUE:  Evaluation of an empirical research article (5-7 pp.) (20%) -- IND

  6

JUN 13

Introduction to data collection techniques -- Unobtrusive measures: historical research, content analysis, and bibliometrics

Descriptive statistics continued -- Measures of central tendency and variability -- Percentiles, quartiles, and introduction to z- scores

Group meetings

  7

JUN 14

Data collection techniques continued -- Obtrusive methods:  Surveys and sampling; 1936 Literary Digest poll; response bias, non-response bias; evaluation apprehension, expectancy, and social desirability effects

Descriptive statistics continued -- z-scores

REVIEW

ASSIGNMENT DUE:  Approved proposal topic and abstract – GRP

  8

JUN 19

Data collection techniques continued -- Obtrusive methods continued:  Focus groups and oral history

• In-class quiz (20%)

9

JUN 20

Descriptive statistics continued – Introduction to the normal, area under

the normal curve, distribution of sample means, and the Central Limit Theorem

REVIEW

10

JUN 21

More on the normal curve

Sampling error

Inferential statistics -- Confidence intervals on µ when sigma () is known

Group meetings

11

JUN 26

Inferential statistics continued -- Confidence intervals on µ when sigma () is unknown (Student's t)

Introduction to statistical significance and hypothesis testing

Qualitative research in information-based organizations:  More on recording and analyzing qualitative data

REVIEW

Group meetings

12

JUN 27

Inferential statistics continued -- More on statistical significance, hypothesis testing

Effect size

Type I and Type II errors

ASSIGNMENT DUE:

 Draft of research proposal (≥6 pp.) -- GRP

ASSIGNMENT DUE:

Draft of empirical data collection instrument – GRP

13

JUN 28

Inferential statistics continued -- The chi square () test of independence

More on effect size

More on qualitative methods:  Writing the qualitative report

Group meetings

14

JUL 3

Research ethics

Questioning the variables sex, gender, and race

Review of 2000 Florida presidential vote

REVIEW

JUL 4

No class – Independence Day

15

JUL 5

Course evaluation

Disseminating research results

Plato's Republic, "Allegory of the Cave"

REVIEW

ASSIGNMENT DUE:

Research proposal (15-18 pp.) (20%) – GRP

ASSIGNMENT DUE:

Empirical data collection instrument (5%) – GRP

JUL 7

SATURDAY – 9:00 AM - 12:00 N -- Final exam (30%) -- IND