Dr=
. Gass
HC=
OM 308
Su=
mmer
2009
Office:
Office Hours: Tues/Wed/Thur
11:00-11:50 & 3:00-3:30 pm
Phone:
Office (714) 278-3269
E-mail: rgass@fullerton.=
edu website: http://co=
mmfaculty.fullerton.edu/rgass
Required: Wrench, J.S., Thomas-Maddox, C., Peck
Optional: Publ=
ication
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) a=
cquire
a better understanding of the relationship between theory, knowledge, and e=
mpirical
research; b) become familiar with basic concepts and principles of experime=
ntal
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. <=
/span>to
understand key terms and concepts related to quantitative social science
research
2. <=
/span>to
understand the basic types of experimental designs
3. <=
/span>to
be able to read and make sense of published quantitative studies
4. <=
/span>to
design and carry out a controlled laboratory experiment 5. <=
/span>to
gain a basic understanding of statistical methods of data analysis 6. <=
/span>to
learn to use the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) softwar=
e 7. <=
/span>to
learn about common pitfalls in experimental research (validity and reliabil=
ity
concerns) 8. <=
/span>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 schola=
rly
refereed journal articles. (10% of =
course
grade) 2. Rationale and Review of Literatu=
re: (=
6-10
pages, typed, double-spaced, not counting references): A well-developed ver=
sion
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, re=
view
of the literature, a brief overview of your experimental design (type and
number of conditions), and formal statement of your hypotheses and/or resea=
rch
questions. You must cite 6-12 published studies from scholarly refer=
eed
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 refer=
ences).
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: =
Th=
ere
will be two tests. The tests =
will
be weighted equally. The test=
s will
consist of multiple choice questions. (50%
of course grade, or 25% per test) 5. Participation: M=
uch 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 s=
tudent
has a greater responsibility to come to class prepared to learn and contrib=
ute 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 t=
ime
and will count as extra points on the following exam. You will receive a letter grade on all assignments. Gr=
ades
correspond to a “4.0” point scale (A =3D 4.0; A- =3D 3.7; B+ =
=3D 3.3; B =3D
3.0; B- =3D 2.7; C+ =3D 2.3; C =3D 2.0; C- =3D 1.7; D+ =3D 1.3; D =3D 1.0; =
D- =3D 0.7; F =3D
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 15% of your course grade, the weighted value
would be 3.0 X .15 =3D .45. A grade of C+ (2.3 on a paper that was worth 15=
% of
your grade would be: 2.3 X .15 =3D .345. A hypothetical student’s grade might work out as
follows: Prospectus: &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; C+ &=
nbsp; (2.3) X &=
nbsp; 10%
=3D .23 Rationale & Literature
Review: =
B+ &=
nbsp; (3.3) X &=
nbsp; 20%
=3D .66 Methods: =
&nb=
sp; =
&nb=
sp; A- &=
nbsp; (3.7) X &=
nbsp; 20%
=3D .74 Test 1: =
&nb=
sp; =
&nb=
sp; =
B &=
nbsp; (3.0) X &=
nbsp; 25%
=3D .75 Test 2: =
&nb=
sp; =
&nb=
sp; =
C &=
nbsp; (2.0) X &=
nbsp; 25%
=3D .50 Semester Grade: &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Total
=3D =
2.88 ( =3D B) You are permitted a maximum =
of two
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 four absences. Ab=
sences
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.
The summer session moves
quickly, so you must “hit the ground running.” 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 exam=
s will
be given only if a serious, compelling, and verifiable cause (such a=
s 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 g=
iven
for reasons such as car trouble, work scheduling conflicts, family or
relationship crises, or non-school related travel plans. All assignments should be submitte=
d 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 th=
eir
due date. All written assignments shou=
ld
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. F=
ailure
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 possessio=
n of
a level of knowledge or skill which he/she in fact does not possess. Cheati=
ng
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/fullerto=
n.edu/senateASSIGNMENTS AND
REQUIREMENTS
GRADING POLICY
ABSENCES
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
WRITING STYLE
STYLE MANUAL