Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
This course is designed to provide basic skills in statistical methods, data analysis and evaluation, as well as an introduction to the concepts of research design, methodology, sampling techniques, measurement, and internal/external validity. This will involve students using skills necessary to design and implement an applied research project related to their area of concentration in Human Relations. The methodological approaches covered in this course are varied and include a wide range of social science orientations. Emphasis will be placed on students’ understanding of research methods and becoming critical consumers of information and research. This course will also offer a critical analysis of the statistical and research methods utilized in research studies.
Course Materials
You are not required to purchase any textbooks for this course.
Should you choose to purchase the suggested texts, student materials are available at the OU Bookstore website.
- Gay, L.R., Mills, G. E., & Airasian, P. (10th edition or higher) Educational research: Competencies for analysis and applications. Pearson.
- American Psychological Association (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th Edition). Washington, D.C.: APA.
Grades
| Activity | Points Breakdown | Percentage of Final Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Live Session Participation | 8 Sessions x 10 points = 80 points | 15% |
| Exams | 100 points x 2 Exams = 200 points | 38% |
| Group Research Paper | 150 points | 28% |
| Evaluation of Group Member Participation | 25 points | 5% |
| Research Ethics Education | 25 points | 5% |
| Practice Quizzes (lowest score dropped) | 5 quizzes x 10 points = 50 points | 9% |
| Total = 530 points | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Incomplete
A grade of Incomplete “I” will be given only for a justifiable reason (due to unavoidable circumstances, not lack of planning on the student’s part) and only if the student is passing the course. It is the responsibility of the student to request a grade of “I” and to consult with me as early as possible to determine requirements for completing the course. Any incomplete granted must be removed by the deadline specified by the instructor. The time limit set for removal of an incomplete will take into account the circumstances of the situation may not exceed one calendar year. Professors are not required to allow students a year to make up grades of “Incomplete.” Exceptions will be made only for documented Provost-approved University-sponsored activities or legally required activities such as emergency military service, jury duty, or documented serious illness or emergency and then only after discussion with me. Contact me by telephone or email if an emergency situation occurs.
Administrative Withdrawal
If a student has not completed at least half of the required assignments, a final grade of AW “Administrative Withdrawal” will be assigned with no grade or credit.
Course Components
Live Session Participation
Primarily, the course is online, however, we will have one-hour synchronous meetings weekly scheduled from 7-8 p.m. Central Time where we will discuss the week’s readings, learning activities, and assignments and engage in collaborative discussions tied to the content of the week. This is an excellent opportunity to communicate with others and ask questions. Due to the accelerated nature of the course, attendance is strongly encouraged and is based on active participation. However, if an unforeseen issue arises, an alternative will be available on the Live Session page in each module.
Exams
There will be two multiple choice exams primarily comprised of material presented in topic-based informational slides and Live Sessions.
Group Research Paper
In groups of 2-3, students will write a research paper describing an applied research project that will consist of:
- a title page (10 points)
- abstract (10 points)
- introduction (30 points)
- literature review (30 points)
- methods (30 points)
- results/data analysis (30 points)
- reference section (10 points)
Major portions of the paper will be submitted throughout the course as 4 separate writing assignments (each approximately 6-8 pages in length). All writing assignments will be presented in formal APA format and deadlines (as stated in the Tentative Course Schedule) must be adhered to. Five points will be deducted for each day an assignment is late.
Note: The complete group research paper will be approximately 20-30 pages not counting references and attachments.
Writing Help
Most universities have a writing center, a place for students, faculty, and staff to meet and talk about writing. The Writing Center here at OU is a resource I encourage you to use. As a writer, you will want to seek feedback from many different readers. The writing consultants at the writing center are able to talk with you about your writing—at any stage in the process and for any course, you are taking.
You can make an appointment online or by phone (405-325-2936) and you can drop in whenever they are open.
Evaluation of Group Member Participation
Upon turning in your final section of the Group Research Paper, each student will be required to fill out an “Evaluation of Group Member Participation" form for themselves and each member of their research group. Scores for an individual will be based on an average score received from group members.
Research Ethics Education
The goal of this assignment is to better acquaint students with basic ethical principles that underlie conducting research with human subjects. The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) provides “research ethics education to all members of the research community.”
Log in to the CITI home page; you will need to create a login ID and register as a University of Oklahoma Graduate Research Assistant. Complete all of the Social Behavioral Science Modules and quizzes to earn CITI certification.
The final product with be the CITI completion report, which students may submit as a Word, PDF, or HTML file in its corresponding Canvas assignment submission folder. Students must receive at least a 70% average on the subtests to receive credit; subtests may be completed as many times as desired.
Practice Quizzes
In preparation for exams and to better inform Live Session content, weekly practice quizzes will be taken worth a total of 10 points each. That is, you may receive up to 10 points on 6 quizzes by successfully answering 20 multiple-choice or true/false questions (worth 1/2 point each) related to the material presented that week. If you fail to complete a specific week’s quiz, you will not earn the 10 points.
Note: The lowest practice quiz score will be dropped prior to calculating the final grade in the course.
Bonus Assignments
Students have an opportunity to receive up to a total of 20 bonus points by completing 2 separate workbook assignments consisting of 7 problems per tab; each problem is worth 2 points. Students may select any 5 problems to complete and receive up to 2 points for fully correct answers.
Some of the problems include multiple questions and may ask that students create something such as a histogram, a pie chart, or a scatter plot. Students should use Excel to produce the required graph and embed it on the same page as the question. Some of the problems ask that students respond with a narrative, such as composing a research question.
Bonus assignments are due within their corresponding Canvas assignment submission folder no later than 11:59 pm CST on the last day of class.
Course Policies
Communication
I will make every effort to respond to emails within 24-48 hours of receipt, except on weekends. There are several modes of communication you can use - Canvas messages and email. The option of contacting the me directly for an appointment time is available and contact information is listed on the course syllabus. Please be courteous and respectful of my time.
Announcements will periodically be made on the course homepage of Canvas. Additionally, university and advising information will be sent to students’ OU emails. Students must check both their Canvas messaging system and their OU email account regularly.
Grading
Discussion posts will be graded within 5 days of their due date and papers within approximately 7 days, depending on the depth and rigor of the assignment.
Late Policy
Assignment due dates are listed above and specific instructions for each assignment are listed in Canvas. Due to the accelerated nature of the course, late work is subject to a 50% grade reduction. However, if an unforeseen issue arises, please contact the faculty as soon as possible to discuss accommodations.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Tentative Course Schedule (Subject to change)
Unless stated otherwise, all assignments are due on Sundays at 11:59 p.m. Central Time
|
Date |
Readings (Lecture Slides) |
For Live Session |
Group Writing |
Assessments & Assignments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1
|
Lecture 1: Selecting and Defining a Research Topic
Lecture 2: Reviewing the Literature |
Familiarize yourself with the Canvas course site.
Patten: Topic 2—Experimental vs. Non- Experimental Studies |
In Live Session: Research Interest introductions with an emphasis on locating 1-2 group members.
Topic and Reference Search
|
Discussion: Topic for Research Paper Practice Quiz #1 |
|
Week 2
|
Lecture 3: Preparing and Evaluating a Research Plan Lecture 4: Selecting a Sample |
Handout: Research Paper Introduction |
Title Page, Abstract and Introduction Section |
Practice Quiz #2 |
|
Week 3
|
Lecture 5: Selecting and Measuring Instruments Lecture 6: Survey Research Lecture 7: Correlational Research |
Handout: Research Paper Literature Review |
Literature Review Section |
Title Page, Abstract and Introduction Section Practice Quiz #3 |
|
Week 4
|
None |
Handout: Research Paper Methodology |
Methodology Section |
Exam I: Lectures 1 - 7 Research Paper Literature Review Section |
|
Week 5
|
Lecture 8: Causal-Comparative Research Lecture 9: Experimental Research Lecture 10: Single-Subject Experimental Research |
Handout: Research Paper Data Analysis Analyze This—Spreadsheets for Analyzing Statistical Data Using Excel |
Data Analysis Section |
Research Paper Methodology Section Practice Quiz #4 |
|
Week 6
|
Lecture 11: Descriptive Statistics |
Using Excel to Graph Data |
|
Practice Quiz #5 |
|
Week 7
|
Lecture 12: Inferential Statistics |
|
Research Ethics Education—CITI Certification Practice Quiz #6 |
|
|
Week 8
|
None |
Group Member Evaluation Form |
Exam II: Lectures 8 - 12 Research Paper Data Analysis Section Group Member Evaluations Bonus Assignments |
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits
- Assist those that may need help
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|