HDDR 6310 Section 775
Research Methods
Southern Methodist University
Summer 2008
Instructor: Dr. Francesca Jones
Dallas Office: N/A
Phone: (214) 768-1988
Fax: 214-768-8700
Email: fjones@smu.edu
Office Hours: please contact for a meeting
Class Time: Tuesday 6:00-9:30
Credit: 2 hours
Course Description
The purpose of this class is for you to become a more discriminating consumer of research. You will learn to evaluate and interpret research and apply its findings to your practice.
By the end of the semester you should be able to answer the following questions:
1. What is research, and how it can be distinguished from other sources of information (theory, opinion, anecdote)?
2. How should the quality and importance of a research report be evaluated, and why is evaluation critical?
3. Where can research be found and how is it disseminated?
4. How can I create valid research project?
5. How can research benefit me and my particular classes and career goals?
Required Readings
Articles and chapters in binder.
Assignments
Exam: Two exams will be given over the material covered in class (200 pts)
Article Critique: One article will be critiqued based on a rubric given by the instructor. Grade will include library research assignment. (100 pts total)
Presentation: An individual or group 10-15 minute presentation on a mock research proposal. (100 pts)
Grading Policy
Your grade is based on an exam, an article critique, and one presentation.
Exam = 100 pts
Exam 2=100pts
Presentation = 100 pts
Article critique = 100 points
Total: 400 points
Grading Scale: 93-100 % A
90-92 A-
83-89 B
80-82 B-
73-79 C
70-72 C-
63-69 D
60-62 D-
Below 60 F
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Date |
Topic |
Assignments/Readings |
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June 24 |
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Section 1 |
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June 26 |
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Section 2 |
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July 1 |
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Section 3 Abstract Assignment due July 10 |
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July 3 |
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Section 4 and 5 Exam 1 (take home, due July 16th)
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July 8 |
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July 10 |
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Section 5 and 6 |
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July 15 |
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Section 7 |
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July 17 |
Presentations |
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July 22 |
Presentations
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July 24 |
No class |
Exam 2 and Article Critique Due
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Attendance: Attendance is expected. However, I understand that people get ill or have an emergency. But, please let me know if you must be absent and please consult a class “buddy” to determine what you missed and to get class notes.
Disability Accommodations: Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first contact Ms. Rebecca Marin, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities (214-768-4557)* to verify the disability and establish eligibility for accommodations. They should then schedule an appointment with the professor to make appropriate arrangements. (See University Policy No. 2.4.)
Religious Observance: Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing class should notify their professors in writing at the beginning of the semester, and should discuss with them, in advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence. (See University Policy No. 1.9.)
Late assignments: Assignments turned in late will result in a deduction of 10% of the points for that assignment. An additional 10% per day will be deducted if assignment is turned in more than one day after the due date.
Honor Code: The honor code of Southern Methodist University governs all work in this course. Students should review their student handbook of the code. Cheating will result in automatic failure of the class.
Withdrawing from class: It is your responsibility to check the SMU website (academic calendar) for add/drop and withdraw dates.
Professional Courtesy
Following are some guidelines that will help us work more effectively together. The most important “rule” in this class is courtesy between and among all of us. I commit to courtesy, availability, and openness to ideas and suggestions.