Course Description
The evaluation of research in the field of Human Development and Family Science and common problems incurred in applied research which affect the interpretation of data.
Athena Title
Research Methods in HDFS
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in HDFS 5110
Non-Traditional Format
This version of the course will be taught as writing intensive, which means that the course will include substantial and ongoing writing assignments that a) relate clearly to course learning; b) teach the communication values of a discipline—for example, its practices of argument, evidence, credibility, and format; and c) writing in their academic work, in graduate school, and in professional life. The written assignments will result in a significant and diverse body of written work (the equivalent of 6000 words or 25 pages) and the instructor (and/or the teaching assistant assigned to the course) will be closely involved in student writing, providing opportunities for feedback and substantive revision.
Prerequisite
(HDFS 2100 or HDFS 2100E or HDFS 2100H) and (HDFS 2200 or HDFS 2200E or HDFS 2200H or HDFS 2950 or HDFS 2950E)
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. Develop a basic understanding of research methods. 2. Develop a basic understanding of the importance of research participant selection. 3. Develop a basic understanding of measurement. 4. Develop a basic understanding of data analysis. 5. Be able to understand ethical research and the purpose of human subjects review boards. 6. Develop skills necessary to be a good consumer of research.
Topical Outline
Writing Up Research: Students will develop a literature review throughout the semester. Discussion of syllabus and class assignments, introduction to eLC, PsycINFO, Why take a research methods course? Foundations of Research Institutional Review Boards and Human Subjects Sampling: The importance of Participants Sampling Examples Theory of Measurement: Reliability and Validity Reliability and Validity Survey Research and Scaling: How You Measure What You Are Studying Measuring Variables Qualitative and Unobtrusive Measures: Other Methods of Measurement Measurement Examples Design: Internal Validity Experimental Design Quasi-Experimental Design Advanced Design Topics Design Examples Analysis: Conclusion Validity Analysis: Data Preparation and Descriptive Statistics Analysis for Research Design: Basic Statistics Analysis for Research Design: More on Statistics Writing Up Research Analysis Examples