Dr.
Gass
HCOM
308
Fall
2009
Office:
Office Hours: Tues/Thur 1:00-2:20 pm & 4:00-4:30 pm, or at other times by
prior appointment
Phone:
Office (657) 278-3269
E-mail: rgass@fullerton.edu website: http://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/rgass
Required: Wrench, J.S., Thomas-Maddox, C.,
Peck
Optional: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed.
(2001)
This course is
designed to instill a greater appreciation for quantitative, experimental
research methods. Students should
a) acquire a better understanding of the relationship between theory,
knowledge, and empirical research; b) become familiar with basic concepts and
principles of experimental design, c) learn how to read, interpret, and
understand the basic elements of published empirical studies; d) learn how to
design and carry out a basic experiment, and e) gain competence in basic
methods of data analysis.
1. to understand key terms and concepts related to quantitative
social science research
2. to understand basic types of experimental designs
3. to be able to read and make sense of published quantitative
studies
4. to design and carry out a controlled laboratory experiment
5. to gain a basic understanding of statistical methods of data
analysis
6. to learn to use the Statistical Package for the Social
Sciences (SPSS) software
7. to learn about common pitfalls in experimental research
(validity and reliability concerns)
8. to learn about ethical issues related to experimental
research involving human participants
1. Research Prospectus:
(2-3 pages, typed, double-spaced, not counting references): A brief overview of
the topic area for an experimental investigation, including the relevance of
the line of research to the discipline, theoretical backdrop for the research,
definitions of key terms and concepts, identification of the independent and
dependent variables, and tentative statement of hypotheses and/or research
questions. You must include a minimum of three citations from scholarly
refereed journal articles. (10% of course
grade)
2. Rationale and Review of Literature:
(6-10 pages, typed, double-spaced, not counting references): A well-developed
version of the research prospectus including the rationale or justification for
conducting the experiment, theoretical underpinnings of your proposed investigation,
clarification of the independent and dependent variables, review of the
literature, a brief overview of your experimental design (type and number of
conditions), and formal statement of your hypotheses and/or research questions.
You must cite 6-12 published studies from scholarly refereed journals in
your literature review. (20% of course
grade)
3. Methods section, plus revisions to
the Rationale, and Review of Literature: (10-12 pages, typed, double-spaced,
not counting references). Design of the Methods section of an original
communication experiment, including a design statement, description of the
participants, experimental procedures, operationalization of the independent
variable(s), measurement of the dependent variable(s), and procedures for
debriefing. (20% of course grade)
4. Exams: There will be two
tests. The tests will be weighted
equally. The tests will consist of
multiple choice questions. (50% of course
grade, or 25% per test)
5. Participation:
Much of the learning in this course is based on class activities, meaning that
you will “learn by doing” and learn from one another, not just the
instructor. Therefore, each student
has a greater responsibility to come to class prepared to learn and contribute
to one another’s learning.
Several class meetings will be spent designing, evaluating, and
conducting class experiments.
Students will be expected to participate meaningfully and enthusiastically
on those days. The extent to which you have contributed to others’ learning
will be taken into account if you are between grades at the semester’s
end.
6. Extra credit may be
available from time to time and will count as extra points on the following
exam.
You will receive a letter grade on all
assignments. Grades correspond to a “4.0” point scale (A = 4.0; A-
= 3.7; B+ = 3.3; B = 3.0; B- = 2.7; C+ = 2.3; C = 2.0; C- = 1.7; D+ = 1.3; D =
1.0; D- = 0.7; F = 0.0. Your overall semester grade is based on the combined,
weighted letter grades received on all assignments. For example, if you
received a “B” (3.0) on a paper that was worth 20% of your grade,
the weighted value would be 3.0 X .20 = .60.
A hypothetical student’s grade might
work out as follows:
Prospectus: C+ (2.3) X 10%
= .23
Rationale &
Literature Review: B+ (3.3) X 20%
= .66
Methods: A- (3.7) X 20%
= .74
Test 1: B (3.0) X 25%
= .75
Test 2: C (2.0) X 25%
= .50
Semester Grade: Total
=
2.88 ( = B)
You are permitted
a maximum of four absences, for any reason,
without penalty (equivalent to two weeks of a regular semester). Additional absences will result in a one
letter grade reduction in your final course grade. You will receive a failing grade if you have more than six
absences. Absences do not excuse you from assignments
that fall due on the date of an absence.
Chronic lateness and early leave-taking also count as absences.
All assignments
for the course will be announced sufficiently in advance to allow for adequate
preparation and timely completion, but you will need to manage your time
efficiently. Make-up exams will
be given only if a serious, compelling, and verifiable cause (such as an
acute medical emergency) can be demonstrated, and the student has made every
reasonable effort to contact the instructor beforehand. Make-up exams will not be given
for reasons such as car trouble, work scheduling conflicts, family or
relationship crises, or non-school related travel plans. All assignments should be submitted in
class, on their scheduled due dates.
All other late assignments may be submitted within one class meeting for
a one letter-grade penalty.
Assignments will not be accepted two class meetings beyond their
due date.
All written
assignments should be typed, double-spaced and proof-read for typographical and
spelling errors. You should check
your paper carefully for errors in syntax and grammar. You will be graded on the quality of
your writing as well as the substance of your ideas. A complete reference must be
provided whenever you refer to the words, ideas, data, or other information
from a published source. Failure
to provide proper references constitutes an act of plagiarism.
Papers should
conform to American Psychological Association standards, 6th edition.
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL
NEEDS
Please inform the instructor during the first week of classes
about any disability or special needs that you may have that require specific arrangements
related to attending class sessions, carrying out class assignments, or writing
papers or examinations.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic dishonesty includes such things as cheating, inventing
false information or citations, plagiarism, and helping another student engage
in academic dishonesty. It usually involves an attempt by a student to show a
possession of a level of knowledge or skill which he/she in fact does not
possess. Cheating is defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit
for work by the use of any dishonest, deceptive, fraudulent, or unauthorized
means. Plagiarism is defined as the act of taking the work of another and
offering it as one’s own without giving proper credit to that source.
Additional information on this policy is available from University Policy
Statement 300.021, at http://www/fullerton.edu/senate
EMERGENCCY INFORMATION
See the link below to access information on
what to do in the event of a campus emergency
http://www.fullerton.edu/emergencypreparedness/ep_students.html
Emergency calls: dial 911
Non-emergency calls: (657) 278-2515
24 Hr. recorded emergency information:
(657) 278-0911, (657) 278-4444