Course Description
Research design. Emphasis on common measurement and data analysis problems in financial planning, housing and consumer economics.
Athena Title
Research Methods in FHCE I
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in FHCE 8000E
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Describe and evaluate experimental, quasi-experimental, and ex post factor research designs as they relate to research in houisng and consumer economics Identify and evaluate sampling plans to obtain subjects for research studies in housing and consumer economics Identify and critique measurement instruments for measuring constructs for research studies in housing and consumer economics Select appropriate statistical analyses to answer research questions in housing and consumer economics, given decisions about research design, sampling, and measurement of constructs
Topical Outline
Introduction Types of research The logic of science Deductive and inductive reasoning Steps in the research process Reviewing the literature Research Design Overview of research designs used in housing and consumer economics research studies Threats to the validity of research design Experimental designs (examples from housing and consumer economics) Quasi-experimental designs (examples from housing and consumer economics) Ex post facto designs (examples from housing and consumer economics) Causality and research designs Sampling and data collection Probability and non-proability samples Sample size, and its linkage to the research design,and statistical analysis Types of data collection methods Secondary data analysis of existing samples (examination of current data sets using in housing and consumer economics) Measurement of constructs From theory to operational definition Quantitative scale of measurement Criteria for evaluating measures Types of measurement scales Development and testing of new measures Coding and construction of variables Use of existing measures and scales in housing and consumer economics Data analysis Linkage between theory, design, sampling, measurement, statistical analysis Typical statistic techniques in housing and consumer economics research studies Choosing appropriate statistical techniques for housing and consumer economics research
Syllabus