Methods of Research

Schedule of Classes
Methods and Techniques of Social Research
Spring, 2002

Links: Course Syllabus - Class Notes - WEBCT - Rutgers Library - Computer Center Help Pages - Using Rutgers Computer Systems for This Class - Campus Map - Campus Homepage - Data Sources - File Formats for Homework Assignments - GRADES

Email: Ted Goertzel - Heather Curtis -

Assignment Due in Class Due on Webct

Important:
Paper assignments are accepted only in class on the day due. Electronic assignments must be submitted to WEBCT. Instructions

Signing Up for WEBCT and the Class Mailing List. Must be done online, no in-class option. February 1, 17:00

Introductory Exercise from the Microcase Workbook Friday, Feb 1 February 1, 11:15 a.m.

Exercise 2b from the Workbook Friday, February 8 February 8, 11:15 a.m.

Exercise 3 from the Workbook Friday, February 15 February 15, 11:15 a.m.

Percentage Exercise To be done in class on February 15, bring a calculator. February 18, 11:15 a.m.

Descriptive Statistics Exercise To be done in class on February 22, bring a calculator. February 25, 11:15 a.m.

Exercise 2a from the Workbook Friday, March 1 March 1, 11:15 a.m.

Exercise 5a from the Workbook Friday, March 8 March 15, 11:15 a.m.

Exercise 5b from the Workbook To be done in class on March 6, bring your Workbook. March 15, 11:15 a.m.

Regression Analysis Exercise To be done in class on March 8, bring a calculator. March 15, 11:15 a.m.

Registering for the Harris Poll Wednesday, April 3, 11:15 - Note: allow 24 hours to get a response from Harris. Wednesday, April 10, 11:15 - Note: allow 24 hours to get a response from Harris.

Margins of Error To be done in class on April 5, bring a calculator and a copy of the Computing Guide. April 12, 11:15 a.m.

Online Data Sources Friday, April 12. April 12, 11:15 a.m.

Participating in an Online Poll Friday, May 3, 11:15 a.m. Friday, May 3, 11:15 a.m.

Excel Graph Monday, April 22, 11:15 a.m. Monday, April 22, 11:15 a.m.

Extra Credit Presentations to the class Must be posted on the Discussion List by 17:00 on April 26 and presented orally to the class on April 29. 17:00 April 26. These must be posted to the Extra Credit Presentations Discussion List on this class's WEBCT site by this time.

Extra Credit Poster Presentations. Your presentation must be posted on the Discussion List by 17:00 on April 26 and you must register for the Poster Session by 17:00 on April 26, prepare a poster and be present at the Poster Session on May 3. 17:00 April 26. You must BOTH submit your presentation to the Extra Credit Presentations Discussion List on this class's WEBCT site and register online for the Poster Session by this time

Research Project This required project will be weighted as three assignments. 11:15 a.m. May 1 - if you submitted this earlier as an extra credit project, you do not need to submit it again. 11:15 a.m. May 1. If you submitted this earlier as an extra credit project, you do not need to submit it again.

Reading Assignments. Readings are listed for the day on which they will be discussed. Please try to do the reading in advance so as to be prepared for discussion. Most readings are in the textbook, Contemporary Social Research Methods, or the accompanying workbook. Others will be linked from this page. More information on each class can be found in the CLASS NOTES.

Wednesday, Jan 23 - Overview of the course
Friday, Jan 25 - Use of WEBCT and Microcase. We will go to the computer center after class for help with the first assignment.

Monday, Jan 28 - Chapter One in the Textbook. We will discuss Exercise 1 in the Workbook , pages 19 to 27, in class, so please bring your workbooks.
Wednesday, Jan 30 - Introductory Exercise, pages 1 to 11 in the Workbook.
Friday, Feb 1 - Chapter Two in the Textbook.

Monday, Feb 4 - Percentages and Expected Frequencies. Workbook, pages 48-53.
Wednesday, Feb 6 - Chapter Three in the Textbook: Measurement. Levels of Measurement, pp 31-38.
Friday, Feb 7 - Chapter Three in the Textbook: Measurement. Quality of Measures, pages 38-43.

Monday, Feb 11 - Chapter Three in the Textbook: Measurement. Varieties of Measures, pages 44-51.
Wednesday, Feb 13 - Evaluating Indicators: Workbook, pages 67-79.
Friday, Feb 15 - Review for First Examination. Sample Questions. We will be doing an in-class exercise, so bring a calculator. If you do not do this in class, you should submit it to WEBCT by February 18, 11:15 a.m.

Monday, Feb 18 - First Examination covering Chapters 1, 2, and 3 in the Textbook, Workbook assignments, calculation of percentages and expected frequencies, and material covered in class.
Wednesday, Feb 20 - Discussion of First Exam - multiple choice questions will not be returned because they may be reused on the final. They will be reviewed on the screen.
Friday, Feb 22 - Descriptive Statistics: frequency distribution, frequency histogram, mean, median, range and standard deviation. Reading: William Trochim's Descriptive Statistics WEB Page. Bring a calculator for an in-class assignment.

Monday, Feb 25 - Causation and Causal Models: Chapter 5 in the textbook.
Wednesday, Feb 27 - Use of Cross-Tabulation to Test Causal Hypotheses. Reading, pages 113 to 122 in the Workbook.
Friday, Mar 1 - Experimental Research - Chapter 10 in the book.

Monday, Mar 4 - Introduction to Causal Modeling with Multiple Regression: Reading, pages 133-137 in the Workbook and Principles of Path Analysis.
Wednesday, Mar 6 - Causal Issues in the use of Multiple Regression and Path Analysis. We will do Exercise 5b as an in-class assignment.

He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp posts -- for support
rather than illumination. Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

Friday, Mar 8 - Using regression to make estimates or predictions. Bring a calculator for an in-class assignment.

Monday, Mar 11 - Review for Second Exam. Reading: Myths of Murder and Multiple Regression. Discussion of this article in the Chance Newsletter.
Wednesday, Mar 13 - Second Examination - Chapters 5 and 10 in the Textbook and the Workbook. Descriptive Statistics and Regression.
Friday, Mar 15 - Review of answers to Second Examination.

Spring Break, March 18-22

Monday, Mar 25 - Survey Research. Reading: Chapter 7 in the textbook and How Polls are Conducted. Last Day to Drop a Course
Wednesday, Mar 27 - Sampling, Reading: Chapter 4 in the textbook..
Friday, Mar 29 - Religious Holiday, no class. Alternative activity: register for and participate in the Harris Online Poll.

Monday, Apr 1 - Computing Margins of Error using the Guide to Margins of Error for Percentages and Means.
Wednesday, Apr 3 - Online Data Sources for Sociology and Criminal Justice Research
Friday, Apr 5 - In class exercise computing Margins of Error.

Monday, Apr 8 - Laboratory help on using Online Data Sources. in Room 117 BSB. This class is optional for those needing help with the assignment. Class will not be held in 121 Armitage. Preregistration begins: see Department Newsletter.
Wednesday, Apr 10 - Review for Third Examination. Review Questions to be answered in class.
Friday, Apr 12 - Third Examination - Chapters 4 and 7 in the Textbook and computing Margins of Error.

Monday, Apr 15 - Chapter 8 Comparative Research Using Aggregate Units. Use of Excel.
Wednesday, Apr 17 - Discussion of Research Project and use of Power Point.
Friday, Apr 19 - Laboratory day, Room 117 BSB, for those wanting help with the Excel assignment. Attendance will not be taken.

The Business and Science Building labs will be open extended hours for the last 3 Sundays of the semester (April 21,
April 28 and May 5) from 9am to 10pm.

Monday, Apr 22 Field Methods: Chapter 9 in the text. Use and Misuse of Social Research. Ethics of Research.
Wednesday, Apr 24 - Content Analysis, Chapter 11 in the Textbook. Additional reading assignment: A Content Analysis Study of Editorial Cartoons.
Friday, Apr 26 - Laboratory Day, Room 117 BSB, for those wanting help with the Research Project assignment. Attendance will not be taken.

Monday, April 29 - Student Presentations. -
Bulletin: Bob Wood has extended the deadline for signing up for Poster Session presentations to 5 p.m. Monday, April 29. I will give extra credit for any posters that are registered by this deadline.

Review Questions for Fourth Exam and Final Answers

Wednesday, May 1 - Review for Fourth Examination. This exam will cover the entire semester's work. Reading: Chapter 6: Basic Research Designs.
Friday, May 3 - Fourth Examination - Followed by Undergraduate Research Poster Session.
Photos from last year's poster session.
Monday, May 6 - Review of Fourth Examination and Review for Final Examination

Tuesday, May 14, 9 a.m. - Final Examination - optional if you have completed all four midterms.

Assignment	Due in Class	Due on Webct
Important:	Paper assignments are accepted only in class on the day due.	Electronic assignments must be submitted to WEBCT. Instructions
Signing Up for WEBCT and the Class Mailing List.	Must be done online, no in-class option.	February 1, 17:00
Introductory Exercise from the Microcase Workbook	Friday, Feb 1	February 1, 11:15 a.m.
Exercise 2b from the Workbook	Friday, February 8	February 8, 11:15 a.m.
Exercise 3 from the Workbook	Friday, February 15	February 15, 11:15 a.m.
Percentage Exercise	To be done in class on February 15, bring a calculator.	February 18, 11:15 a.m.
Descriptive Statistics Exercise	To be done in class on February 22, bring a calculator.	February 25, 11:15 a.m.
Exercise 2a from the Workbook	Friday, March 1	March 1, 11:15 a.m.
Exercise 5a from the Workbook	Friday, March 8	March 15, 11:15 a.m.
Exercise 5b from the Workbook	To be done in class on March 6, bring your Workbook.	March 15, 11:15 a.m.
Regression Analysis Exercise	To be done in class on March 8, bring a calculator.	March 15, 11:15 a.m.
Registering for the Harris Poll	Wednesday, April 3, 11:15 - Note: allow 24 hours to get a response from Harris.	Wednesday, April 10, 11:15 - Note: allow 24 hours to get a response from Harris.
Margins of Error	To be done in class on April 5, bring a calculator and a copy of the Computing Guide.	April 12, 11:15 a.m.
Online Data Sources	Friday, April 12.	April 12, 11:15 a.m.
Participating in an Online Poll	Friday, May 3, 11:15 a.m.	Friday, May 3, 11:15 a.m.
Excel Graph	Monday, April 22, 11:15 a.m.	Monday, April 22, 11:15 a.m.
Extra Credit Presentations to the class	Must be posted on the Discussion List by 17:00 on April 26 and presented orally to the class on April 29.	17:00 April 26. These must be posted to the Extra Credit Presentations Discussion List on this class's WEBCT site by this time.
Extra Credit Poster Presentations.	Your presentation must be posted on the Discussion List by 17:00 on April 26 and you must register for the Poster Session by 17:00 on April 26, prepare a poster and be present at the Poster Session on May 3.	17:00 April 26. You must BOTH submit your presentation to the Extra Credit Presentations Discussion List on this class's WEBCT site and register online for the Poster Session by this time
Research Project This required project will be weighted as three assignments.	11:15 a.m. May 1 - if you submitted this earlier as an extra credit project, you do not need to submit it again.	11:15 a.m. May 1. If you submitted this earlier as an extra credit project, you do not need to submit it again.