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COURSE SYLLABUS

  • SCOPE OF COURSE SYLLABUS


    Intended for students enrolling in Research Methodology in Social Sciences, this syllabus contains information specific to the course. It is a definitive record of the course's primary characteristics and the learning outcomes a typical student can reasonably achieve if they take full advantage of the available learning opportunities. This document also serves as a reference for academic and support staff, internal and external examiners, and for future course monitoring and review.


    COURSE AT A GLANCE


    Course Title

    Research Methodology in Social Sciences


    Subject Area

    Research Methodology


    Course Code

    RESM 50011


    Course Level

    Graduate


    Credits

    4.0


    Prerequisites

    None


    Methods of Delivery

    Face-to-face

    Online


    Expected Length

    5.0 Weeks


    Class Meetings

    Dependent on the choice made during enrollment


    Faculty

    Nicholas Bishop

    Nicholas.Bishop@TheAUS.us


    INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY


    Computer Software: Any computer software that aids learning.


    TEXT(S)


    Text 1: PSR

    Title: The Practice of Social Research

    Author(s): Earl R. Babbie

    Year Published: 2021

    ISBN: 9780357360767

  • SYNOPSIS


    This course is designed as an advanced course in sociological research methodology to provide insight into the process, logic, and skills of social science research inquiry. The range of research designs, their strengths and weaknesses, the specific research tools needed for collecting sociological data, and various analytical techniques are examined with an emphasis on project-based learning.


    LEARNING OUTCOMES


    Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:


    • Demonstrate the comprehension of major concepts and methodological techniques.

    • Demonstrate the comprehension of using the library databases to gain access to peer-reviewed literature.

    • Demonstrate their comprehension of citing peer-reviewed literature according to APA format.

    • Synthesize peer-reviewed literature by writing a literature review.

    • Demonstrate their ability to critique the literature.

    • Demonstrate the ability to assess and evaluate the merits of particular methodological techniques.

    • Understand ethical issues when collecting sociological data.

    • Apply social scientific logic, reasoning, and theorizing.

    • Design a research project.

    • Understand how research can lead to fascinating and impactful careers.

  • WEEK 1


    Module 1

    The Nature and Process of Social Research

    Reference(s): PSR Ch1-3 and Ch17


    Module 2

    The Structuring of Inquiry: Quantitative and Qualitative I

    Reference(s): PSR Ch4-5


    Module 3

    The Structuring of Inquiry: Quantitative and Qualitative II

    Reference(s): PSR Ch6-7


    Research Practice Session 1
    • Prepare the work schedule with an advisor.

    • Discuss research topics and data.

    • Initiate the research ethics application.


    WEEK 2


    Module 4

    Experiments

    Reference(s): PSR Ch8


    Module 5

    Survey Research

    Reference(s): PSR Ch9


    Module 6

    Qualitative Field Research

    Reference(s): PSR Ch10


    Research Practice Session 2
    • Conduct a literature review.


    WEEK 3


    Module 7

    Unobtrusive Research

    Reference(s): PSR Ch11


    Module 8

    Evaluation Research

    Reference(s): PSR Ch12


    Module 9

    Social Statistics

    Reference(s): PSR Ch16


    Research Practice Session 3
    • Initiate the research design.


    WEEK 4


    Module 7

    Qualitative Data Analysis

    Reference(s): PSR Ch13


    Module 8

    Quantitative Data Analysis

    Reference(s): PSR Ch14


    Module 9

    The Logic of Multivariate Analysis

    Reference(s): PSR Ch15


    Research Practice Session 4
    • Initiate the research proposal.


    WEEK 5


    Research Practice Session 5-8
    • Finalize and review the research proposal.

  • PROFESSIONALISM


    WEIGHT: 10.0%
    DEADLINE: Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 6

    All students must participate actively in discussions, class exercises, activities, simulations, and group work. Regular attendance, preparation, and participation in class discussions (online and in discussion forums) are required. Good attendance results in more opportunities to engage in quality participation and earn a higher participation grade.


    Class participation and discussion indicate that students have read the assigned readings. Grades will not be based on the number of posts submitted or comments made in a class but on the overall contribution to the discussion. Students are encouraged to exchange contact information and support one another if a class is missed. They must contact the course instructor if concerned about attendance or need additional information on any assignment. If a student cannot attend three or more classes, they may be asked to complete additional assignments to complete a course.


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ


    WEIGHT: 20.0%
    DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 1-4

    General Information

    Each week from Week 1 to Week 4, students must complete one graded quiz with twenty (20) multiple-choice questions. These assessments aim to determine the level of comprehension and mastery of each week's material. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) from Week 1 to Week 4. Quiz assignments are graded by computer, and the grade is stored in the online grade book. Only one 40-minute attempt per quiz is allowed.


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 1

    • Weight: 5.0%

    • Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 1


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 2

    • Weight: 5.0%

    • Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 2


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 3

    • Weight: 5.0%

    • Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 3


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 4

    • Weight: 5.0%

    • Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 4


    LITERATURE REVIEW


    WEIGHT: 20.0%
    DEADLINE: Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 4

    This must be four pages (approximately one thousand words), not including references, title page, and appendix. This assessment aims to prepare students for the Master's Research Project. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 3. The grade is stored in the online grade book. As only one attempt per piece of coursework is allowed, it is highly recommended that students review all course materials and complete some test preparation tasks before attempting the graded assessment.


    RESEARCH PROPOSAL


    WEIGHT: 50.0%
    DEADLINE: Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 6

    General Information

    This must be eight pages (approximately two thousand words), not including references, title page, and appendix. This assessment aims to prepare students for the Master's Research Project. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 5. The grade is stored in the online grade book. As only one attempt per piece of coursework is allowed, it is highly recommended that students review all course materials and complete some test preparation tasks before attempting the graded assessment.

  • PARTICIPATION POLICY


    Please be sure to review the following important information about the University Policies and Procedures.


    All students must participate in all classroom activities, attend classes regularly, and prepare before classes for classroom activities that require advance preparation. Students need to fully appreciate that good attendance results in more opportunities to engage in quality participation, which, in turn, results in a more thorough acquisition of subject knowledge and higher participation grades.

    Participation in classroom discussions indicates that students have read the assigned readings. Grades will not be based on the number of posts submitted or comments made in the classroom but on the overall quality of contributions to discussions.

    If a student is unable to attend 3 or more classes, he/she may be asked to complete additional assignments to complete the course.


    Mode of Attendance


    For the portion of the course that takes place over Microsoft Teams:


    Students are required to arrive on time and engage appropriately with their fellow students, their teacher(s) and course materials. They must attend with a functional web camera and microphone, have the latest version of Microsoft Teams installed on their computers, avoid attending via a mobile phone or web browser, and have all necessary materials to hand. Also, their cameras must be always switched on, except for occasions when privacy becomes a necessity. In addition, they must be appropriately attired, attend in an environment that will not distract them, their fellow students or their teacher(s), especially avoiding attending while in a vehicle, whether moving or stationary.


    For the on-campus portion of the course:


    The mandatory on-campus session meets as per the AUS Campus schedule. Good attendance is required to earn credits and pass the course. Students cannot arrive late or leave early. Students traveling from afar must plan accordingly, giving themselves plenty of time to arrive by the start of class. No exceptions can be granted.


    Classroom Expectations


    Classes start and end on time, with late entry or reentry allowed only under exceptional circumstances. All phones and electronic devices must be turned off.


    GRADING


    The expectation is that students read assigned materials prior to class. Class discussions are based on their reading of these materials and their reflections on what they have learned and how these relate to their experiences. Assignments are intended to encourage students’ exploration, reflection on and synthesis of assigned topics and course discussions.

    Assessments are listed in the course syllabus and are due by the stipulated deadlines.

    No assessment will be accepted after the day following the day it is due. If an assessment submission is one day late late, it will receive an automatic reduction in grade of one letter, for example, from an A to a B. After that, no late work will be accepted, and the student will receive an F grade for the assessment.

    Submission of late papers must be approved in advance. Late final papers will not be accepted.


    ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY


    Students are responsible for understanding the University Policies and how to use sources responsibly. Violations of academic integrity are taken very seriously. Students are asked to visit the course RESM 50011: Fundamentals of Graduate Research Reading and Writing to review important information on academic citation and referencing rules.


    ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES POLICY


    The University is committed to providing an accessible academic community. The Disability Services (DS) is responsible for providing accommodations to students with disabilities. Students must request accommodations or adjustments through the DS. Instructors cannot grant accommodation requests without prior DS approval. It is imperative to be in touch with the DSS as soon as possible to avoid delays in the provision of an accommodation.

    The University takes student privacy seriously. Any medical documentation should be provided directly to the DS if a substantial accommodation is required. If a student misses any classes due to a short-term illness, he/she should notify his/her instructor but to avoid the inclusion of a doctor's note. Course staff will not request, accept, or review doctor's notes or other medical documentation. For more information, email DS@TheAUS.us


    PUBLISHING OR DISTRIBUTING COURSE MATERIALS POLICY


    Students may not post, publish, sell, or otherwise publicly distribute course materials without the written permission of the course instructor. Such materials include, but are not limited to, the following: lecture notes, lecture slides, video, or audio recordings, assignments, problem sets, examinations, other students’ work, and answer keys. Students who sell, post, publish, or distribute course materials without written permission, whether for the purposes of soliciting answers or otherwise, may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including a requirement to withdraw. Furthermore, students may not make video or audio recordings of class sessions for their own use without written permission from the instructor.


    ETHICS AND USE OF PRIOR MATERIALS


    It is never appropriate to use materials prepared for previous courses by students or faculty. Students should not use previously completed case write-ups, or summaries of readings.


    WEEKLY CLASS MEETING SCHEDULE


    Additional information can be found on the course website.

    Please note: the syllabus may be modified prior to and during a course, including updates to assignments and additional material.

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