Department of Library and Information Sciences

University of North Texas

SLIS 4080/5080

RESEARCH METHODS

Spring, 2014

Faculty:

Dr. Phil Turner

Email: pturner@unt.edu

Phone (940) 453 8214

Please make sure that you carefully read the Introduction to the Course (Start Here Icon) as well as the following information.

Purpose:

The purpose of the course is to provide the student with the knowledge necessary to comprehend and utilize research reports. The course also prepares students to undertake research projects in the library and information science fields.

Course Description

The course consists of 4 modules (Module 3 has two parts.).

1. General Organization of Research.

Provides an introduction to the basic elements of research design

Objectives:

• Given a research report, identify in the report the constructs covered in class.
• List those constructs not covered in the report
• State in own words the definition of the constructs found in a research report
• Describe each step in the research sequence

2. Types of Research.

Introduces and covers similarities of and differences between experimental, descriptive, historical, and qualitative research.

Objectives:

1. The student will describe the purpose of the types of research covered (Experimental, Quasi-Experimental, Survey, Historical, and Qualitative).
2. The student will identify the steps covered in the types of research covered.
3. The student will identify the philosophy of research (quantitative/positivist vs. qualitative/constructivists) reflected by a given research approach.
4. The student will describe and compare two classical experimental research designs.
5. The student will define internal validity and be able to assess the internal validity of a given research design.
6. The student will differentiate between true experimental and quasi-experimental research.
7. The student will describe advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires and evaluate questionnaire items.
8. The student will describe a Likert-type scale and the procedure for constructing fixed response scales in general.
9. The student will describe the advantages and disadvantages of interviews.
10. The student will describe the continuum of choices for survey research.
11. The student will describe the steps in case study research and the reasons for using this methodology.
12. The student will describe the problems with historical research.
13. The student will describe the sources of data in historical research.
14. The student will describe the types of criticism in historical research.
15. The student will be able to describe the basic assumptions underlying qualitative research and the strengths and weaknesses.

3. Statistical Methods.

Consists of two parts and covers level of data, descriptive and inferential statistics, research design, hypothesis testing, and use of statistical packages.

Objectives:

       Module III, Part 1

• Descriptive Statistics
  1. Distinguish between descriptive and inferential statistics and give examples of each.
  2. Given a list of descriptions of data, the student will identify each as to type.
  3. Given a display of raw data, the student will construct a histogram and a frequency
  polygon.
  4. Given a set of data, the student will calculate the mean, mode, and median.
  5. Given 2 frequency distributions, the student will analyze each as to, dispersion, central tendency, and skewness.
  6. The student will define and calculate standard deviation using a computer statistical package.
  7. Given a normally distributed group of data the student will identify areas under the curve; find z scores, and percentages.

   Module III, Part 2

• Inferential Statistics
  8. The student will define regression lines and identify various types of regression lines.
  9. Given a correlation coefficient, the student will discuss the meaning in terms of significance, directionality, and power.
  10. The student will describe the concept of a null hypothesis.
  11. The student will describe and carry out the steps in hypothesis testing.
  12. The student will describe Type I and Type II errors.
  13. The student will calculate and analyze two types of chi-square tests.
  14. Given the outcome of a test of significance of a difference between the means of two groups, (independent) the student will analyze the findings.
  15. Given the outcome of a test of significance of the correlation coefficient, the student will analyze the findings.
  16. Given the raw data for several variables within a sample, the student will answer questions regarding the population from which the sample was drawn by creating hypotheses, utilizing a computer to calculate the statistics, and interpreting the results.

4. Evaluating Research Reports.

Objectives:

Given a research report,

1. Describe the report in detail
2. Evaluate it
3. Make a recommendation to a potential user of the report as to appropriateness and value.

Assignments:

Organization of Research Assignment. Identifying parts of research reports.

Types of Research Assignment. Evaluate questionnaires and answer questions about research articles.

Descriptive Statistics Assignment. Based upon past circulation statistics, make recommendations on changing circulation period.

Inferential Statistics Assignment. Make recommendations to management regarding use of various information sources and the provision of training.

Projects:

Public Library Use Research Project:

In a group, students will carry out a research project in a local library to determine whether the use of the library by gender matches the population served. They will also perform an internal and external validity analysis of their project. NOTE: This project is extra credit for students enrolled in SLIS 4080.

Statistical Package Project:

Each student will select the appropriate statistic to answer each of a series of questions. Can use the  statistical package provided or web-based tools to calculate the appropriate statistics.

Evaluation of Research Reports. The student will describe and completely critique a research report utilizing the information presented in the course. (This is the Final Exam for the course.)

Grading:

Midterm Test 20%

Assignments 20%

Public Library Use Research Project 15%

Statistical Package Project 20%

Research Report Evaluation (Final Exam) 25%

Grading Criteria:

A = 90-100

B = 80-89

C = 70-79

D = 60-69

F = 59 and below

Attendance:

Since this is a Web-based course, there is no physical attendance. Students are expected to log in and participate in discussions regularly.

Academic Misconduct:

Cheating and disciplinary action for cheating is defined by the UNT Policy Manual Code of Student Conduct and Discipline. Cheating is an act of academic dishonesty. It is defined and will be handled as follows:

"Plagiarism and cheating refer to the use of unauthorized books, notes, or otherwise securing help in a test; copying tests, assignments, reports, or term papers; representing the work of another as one's own; collaborating, without authority, with another student during an examination or in preparing academic work; or otherwise practicing scholastic dishonesty."

"Academic dishonesty matters may first be considered by the faculty member who may assign penalties such as failing, reduction or changing of a grade in a test, course, assignment, or other academic work, denial of a degree and/or performing additional academic work not required of other students in the course. If the student does not accept the decision of the faculty member, he/she may have his/her case heard by the academic department chairperson or head for review of his/her case. If the student does not accept the decision of the academic department chairperson, he/she may then follow the normal appeal procedures listed in Disciplinary Procedures."

ADA Compliance:

Anyone with a disability that will require accommodation under the terms of federal regulations must present a written accommodation request to the instructor within eleven days after the first class session. Copies of the School's ADA Compliance Policy, ADA Policy on Auxiliary Aids and Reasonable Accommodation, and the ADA Grievance Procedures are available through the main office of the School of Library and Information Sciences (ISB 205, telephone 940-565-2445). It is also recommended that you register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (University Union 318A, telephone 940-565-4323).

Student Information Notification

Blackboard enables faculty to track whether and when students visit various areas of the course site, times of first and last logins, and number of conference postings. This information is used, in part, in determining the grade for the course.

Schedule

Please see the course calendar for the schedule

Important Notice for F-1 Students

To read INS regulations for F-1 students taking online courses, please go to this website http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/services/visas.htm

A Final Rule with clarifications on the restriction can be found in a pdf file located at http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/lawsregs/fr121102.pdf

Within this document, refer to Section IX on page 9 with the subject header "Online and Distance Education Courses."

To comply with immigration regulations, an F-1 visa holder within the United States may need to engage in an on-campus experiential component for this course. This component (which must be approved in advance by the instructor) can include activities such as taking an on-campus exam, participating in an on-campus lecture or lab activity, or other on-campus experience integral to the completion of this course.

If such an on-campus activity is required, it is the student’s responsibility to do the following:

(1) Submit a written request to the instructor for an on-campus experiential component within one week of the start of the course.

(2) Ensure that the activity on campus takes place and the instructor documents it in writing with a notice sent to the International Advising Office. The UNT International Advising Office has a form available that you may use for this purpose.

Because the decision may have serious immigration consequences, if an F-1 student is unsure about his or her need to participate in an on-campus experiential component for this course, s/he should contact the UNT International Advising Office (telephone 940-565-2195 or email international@unt.edu) to get clarification before the one-week deadline.