Advanced Research Methods
M.E. Swisher
Associate Professor
Family, Youth & Community Sciences
Spring Semester 2012
FYC 6802, Section 7333

SYLLABUS

Techniques to use in developing instruments: These techniques can be used with a variety of data collection methods. You must use at least one of these techniques for data collection in your index (Small Group Project 1). I strongly encourage you to use these techniques, as appropriate, in your focus group project and in your individual project as well. I will mention most of these techniques in class at some point. Here are resources to help you get more information about them. They are here for you to use during the semester. Make sure you draw upon these resources.

Example of a Research Methods Literature Review

Groups for Small Group Projects

Team Member Assessment Procedures for Small Group Projects

Peer Assessment Procedures for Partners on Individual Semester Project

Statistics "Cheat Sheet"

Guide to the Thesis

Guides to Reading Research Literature
Guide to Reading Research Reviews
Guide to Reading Research Reports -- Quantitative Analysis
Guide to Reading Research Reports -- Qualitative Analysis

IRB-02 Institutional Review Board

Late submissions will not be accepted.

CLASS
DATE
TOPIC
DUE
1
 Jan. 9

The Types & Uses of Research Instruments

See readings and exercise to complete
Jan. 16 MLK Day - Class Dismissed

2
 Jan. 23

The Role of Theory in Research
3
 Jan. 30 Epistemology & Methodology Small Group Project: Definition of Constructs
4
 Feb. 6 Key Techniques and Concepts in Instrument Development
5
 Feb. 13

Multi-Item Measures of Cognitive Information (Questionnaires, Indices, Inventories & Similar Instruments)

 Individual Project Part 1
6
 Feb. 20 Interviews
7
 Feb. 27

Focus Groups (Includes group work time)

 Small Group Project: Index
Mar. 5 Spring Break - Class Dismissed
8
 Mar. 12

Observation & Trace Measures
9
 Mar. 19 Participatory/Action Research Small Group Project: Focus Group
10
 Mar. 26 Mixed Methods & Miscellaneous Techniques

11
 Apr. 2 Standardized Tests Individual Project Part 2
12
 Apr. 9 Standardized Scales
13
 Apr. 26

Archival & Secondary Data & Analytic Techniques
14
 Apr. 23 Ethics, IRB, Review of Key Concepts, Course Critique Individual Project Part 3