Schedule and Assignments: Methods and Techniques of Social Research - Fall 2005

A Discussion List is available on our WEBCT home page.  You can post any questions you may have, answer other students' questions, or just read what others have posted.  Please use the Discussion List for any questions about assignments so everyone can see the answers.  The instructor will visit this list frequently and answer questions if needed.

Links:   Transcript of Chat Class Sept 30 - statistics formulas -   Class Notes -  Course Syllabus  -  WEBCT   - Microcase 2005 Update -  Instructor's email:  goertzel@camden.rutgers.edu
Daily Schedule:  This schedule may change as we go along, so refresh or reload the file before consulting it.   
The assignments are listed in white boxes.  Late assignments are generally not accepted - once a WEBCT "Quiz" is closed you cannot take it again.
 September 2.  First day of class.  Discussion of the Course Syllabus and the use of the Microcase software.   Signing up for WEBCT and other departmental systems.  This is done by opening the Enrolling assignment and following the instructions.  The Enrolling assignment is due in WEBCT by 5 p.m. on September 9., but will be accepted for reduced credit after that time.  This does NOT enroll you with the registrar's office, just with WEBCT and other systems that we use.  You should make sure you are also registered for the course (which does not usually close).
Enrolling  - Due in WEBCT by 5 p.m. September 9.
 Open the assignment file (click on the link at the left) and follow the instructions.  This assignment must be submitted to the Assignment Dropbox on WEBCT.  You may not submit it by email file attachment or on paper.  This is because part of the assignment is to learn to use WEBCT.
September 5:  Labor Day, no class.
"Microcase Intro" Quiz (in WEBCT) closes 5 p.m. September 12.
 This quiz is drawn from the Introductory Exercise in the Microcase Workbook.  You should do the exercise first on paper, then open the Quiz and answer the 20 questions..  The Quiz is in WEBCT and  you'll get your grade right away.  The quiz may be taken as many times as you like up until 5 p.m. September 12 and your highest score will count.  If you don't take it before it closes you will get a zero.  There will be no exceptions for computer problems unless you take it the first time by 5 p.m. September 9.
September 7.  Introduction to the Microcase Software   Discussion of the IntroMicrocase Quiz Assignment. 
September 9.  Sociological Concepts and Theories.  Chapter One in the textbook.
Workbook 1 Quiz opens Sept 9 and closes 5p.m. September 18.  The Quiz is in WEBCT. and is based on Chapter One in the textbook.
September 12.  The Research Process using Aggregate Data.  We will go through pages 29-38 in the Workbook, so bring your copy to class.
Workbook 2a Quiz  opens September 12 and closes 5 p.m. September  19.  It is based largely on Exercise 2a in the Workbook.
September 14.  Descriptive Statistics.  Bring a calculator to class.  Required Reading on Descriptive Statistics Available Here.
Descriptive Statistics assignment opens September 14 and closes 5 p.m. September 21 .  Open the assignment from the hyperlink, print it out, do the calculations, then type the answers into WEBCT. 
September 16.  Chapter Two in the Textbook:  Steps in the Social Scientific Process.  These will be illustrated with some examples.  We may also do some additional practice with descriptive statistics.   
September 19.  Chapter Three in the Textbook, pages 31-38, levels of measurement.
Workbook 3 Quiz opens September 19 and closes 5 p.m. September 26.
September 21.  Chapter Three in the Textbook, pages 39-51.  reliability and validity
September 23.   Chapter Four in the Textbook, sampling
Sampling Quiz, opens September 23 and closes 10 a.m. October 3.
September 26.  Scale and Index construction (chapter 3).  Measurement of Trends in Crime. 
September 28.    Ovwerview Review for First Examination
       *  Career Day in the Campus Center  11 to 2 *  check with the Career Center *
Review Quiz for Midterm One.  Opens 3 p.m. September 26, closes 8 a.m. October 3.
September 30.  **Special Online Class * The transcript of the Special Online Class is  HERE after class.
October  3.   First Midterm.  Bring a pencil with an eraser and a calculator.
October 5.  Chapter Five in the text:  Causation and Causal Models pages 88-97
October 7.  Chapter Five,  interpretation of regression models - standardized and unstandardized betas. 
    Saturday, Oct 8 8:30 to 12:30 *  Diagnostic Testing for the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, CPA & Dat * Check with the Career Center
Workbook 5 Quiz opens October 5, closes 5 p.m. October 12.
October 10.  The Research Process Using Survey Data, Exercise 2b in the Workbook.  Bring the workbook to class.
Workbook 2b Quiz opens October 10, closes 5 p.m. October 17.
October 12.  Percents and expected frequencies., chi square.  Cartoon version. 
October 14.  Chapter Six  in the textbook, basic research design.
Percents. Chi Square and Expected Frequencies.  Opens October 12 and closes 5 p.m. October 21.  Open the quiz from the hyperlink and do the items on paper.  You also need WEB access to use the chisquare calculator.  Then enter the answers into WEBCT.
October 17.   Chapter Seven on Survey Research
October 19.   Chapter 8 in the textbook, Comparative Research Using Aggregate Units
Workbook 7 Quiz opens October 17, closes 5 p.m. October 26.
October 21.   Statistics Review class.  Required only for students who received less than 80% on the statistics items on the first midterm.  You will be asked to hand in some work at the end of the hour.  Statistics Overview. 
Workbook 8 Quiz opens October 19, closes 5 p.m. October 28.
October 24.   Using Excel to create statistical graphs and charts.  Using the regression tools in Excel.  Using regression to make predictions.
October 26.   Use of graphics to communicate research findings.
Excel Regression Assignment to be submitted to the Assignment Dropbox in WEBCT by 5 p.m. November 2.  This requires Internet access and the use of Microsoft Excel.  If you do not have Excel at home, you can do it in the computer lab. 
October 28.  Chapter 9 in the textbook, field methods
October 31. - Chapter 11 in the textbook, content analysis and unobtrusive methods.
                  - Halloween, extra attendance point if you come in costume -
November 2.    Lab class in BSB 108 for those needing help with the Excel Regression assignment.   Attendance not required.
              *  Internship Fair in the Campus Center  11 to 1:30 *
Review Quiz for Second Midterm.  Opens October 31, closes 8 a.m. November 7.
November 4.   Review for Second Midterm.  This will be a conventional in-class review.  Registration for next term will begin November 7 -
November 7.   Second Midterm Exam
November  9.  Ethics of Research with Human Subjects.  Pages 251-253 in the Workbook.   Most of the material you need, however, is in an online course offered by ORSP.   (hint: if you miss this class, you'll need to learn the material from their online slides and text)
Ethics of Research with Human Subjects - a quiz administered by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs through a WEBCT course.  You must pass the course with a grade of 80 or above.  Bring me your official certification letter by December 12. 
November 10 - 12:00 to 1:30  Open House in the Sociology/Anthro/CJ Building - free pizza!
November 11.    Discussion of the Midterm.  Optional for students with a score of 70 or better on the second midterm.
November 14.  Discussion  of   The Crime Drop in America: Disaggregating Violence Trends
Crime Drop Quiz in WEBCT, opens November 14, closes 5 p.m. November 22.
November 16.  Finding and reading research reports:   pages 249-263 in the textbook.   Using the library to find research reports.  Required Reading Here.  
November 18.   Discussion of trend analysis with the Historical Trends module.  Discussion of Extra-Credit assignments.  
Library research assignment, opens November 14.  To be submitted to the Assignment Dropbox on WEBCT by 5 p.m. November 28.
Monday, November 21.    Discussion of extra-credit assignments.  Use of PowerPoint to communicate research results.
Extra Credit Proposals.  Details are on the Proposal Form which must be submitted to the WEBCT Proposal dropbox by 5 p.m. November 28.  The finished product must be submitted to the WEBCT Extra Credit Dropbox by 5 p.m. on December 5.
Tuesday, November 22  Quiz and Assignment Make-up Day -  All WEBCT Quizzes and Assignment Dropboxes will be Open for this one day only.  No regular class session.
Wednesday, November 23 :  Thanksgiving Vacation, no classes
Friday, November 24:  Thanksgiving Vacation, no classes
November 28:  Experimental Methods, Chapter 10 in the textbook. 
Historical Trends Assignment due in the Assignment Dropbox by 5 p.m. on December 15
November 30:  Presentation of Research Data. - overview of extra-credit projects.
December 2: We will attend the Camden Data Open House. 
Data Open House Assignment:  Obtain a copy of the Open House form from Dr. Goertzel at the event and return it to him there.  Also sign the attendance sheet.
Make-up assignment only for students who missed the Data Open House.  Explore the Cam Connect Web Site and find the answers to the Data Fair Quiz (in WEBCT).  Answer the Quiz.  You will find some of the answers in the report on "Most Dangerous City Rankings".  This must be completed by December 6.
Multiple Choice Review for Final Examination.  Opens December 2, closes December 21 7 a.m.
Statistics Review for Final.  Opens December 2, Closes December 21 7 a.m.

First Draft of Extra Credit Project due by 11:00 a.m. on December 5 - not accepted late.

December 5:    Quiz & Assignment Make-up and Extra Credit Project Preview Day - Meet in BSB 117 -  Attendance required for anyone doing an extra-credit project or wanting to make up a quiz during the class hour (get a password from Dr. Goertzel in BSB 117 at 11:15) .
Final draft of extra-credit projects due December 5, late projects accepted only on December 6.  These can be completed in Word or in Powerpoint.  If you prepare them in Word, just put each table or chart on the top of a page, with the bullet points below it.  Don't fill more than half a page so that it can all be viewed at once.  You won't be able to animate the bullet points. A sample presentation in Word is available.   If you wish to do Powerpoint, a sample powerpoint presentation is available that you can use as a template.   If you open it in Explorer, you will need to save it to disk and open it in PowerPoint to be able to edit it.  You can then  just replace the graphs and text with your own material, saving as much of the formatting as you wish to use.
December 7:   Extra-credit presentations
December 9:   Extra-credit presentations
December 12:  Last class.  Review for Final Examination.

December 14 and 15:  "reading period"   All Quizzes and Assignments Open.  This will be the last chance to make up a missing quiz or assignment. 
 
December 2 to  20: 
December 21, 9 a.m., Final Examination.  This will be comprehensive, covering much of the same material that was on the first two examinations.