Course Syllabus

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Contact Information

Burke 2015

Office Hours: Thursdays/Fridays 12-2 or by appointment

Phone: 405-325-3921

Email: sburke@ou.edu

 

Dr. Susan Burke

Associate Professor

School of Library and Information Studies

Course Details

Course Description from the Course Catalog

From the Course Catalog: Prerequisite: 5033. Methods of investigating library and information (LIS) problems; use of evaluation in planning for continuous quality assessment and improvement of LIS policies, processes, and procedures; developing original research designs; evaluating research studies in LIS.

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course is designed to:

  1. Introduce students to research methodologies commonly used in LIS including data collection techniques, sampling, and basic data analysis
  2. Explain and outline the nature and elements of research and evaluation proposals
  3. Provide experience in identifying LIS problems for examination and designing appropriate data collection plans to apply to the identified problems
  4. Guide students in effective design of research and evaluation proposals in LIS settings

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Define and appropriately use the concepts and language of research
  2. Identify and provide examples of major research methodologies
  3. Identify various data sources and techniques of data collection and analysis
  4. Articulate the commonalities and differences between research and evaluation
  5. Plan and design research and evaluation activities relevant to issues in LIS
  6. Articulate the use of evaluation outcomes in administrative planning and management
  7. Understand and evaluate reported research in LIS
  8. Identify and discuss ethical issues in data collection and use, particularly in regard to human subjects

Course Schedule

WEEK

Dates 

TOPIC

ASSIGNMENTS - Parts of the Research Proposal Highlighted

1

8/19-8/25

Introduction, Ethics, Basic Research

CITI certificate due (50 points)

2

8/26-9/1

Structure and Process of a Study

Topic due (50 Points)

3

9/2-9/8

Evaluating Existing Studies

4

9/9-9/15

Reviewing the Literature

Literature Review Preview due (50 points)

5

9/16-9/22

The Research Proposal

 

6

9/23-9/29

Populations, Sampling, Available Data

 

7

9/30-10/6

Surveys

 

8

10/7-10/13

Interviews and Focus Groups

9

10/14-10/20

Experimental Methods

 Application Assn: Survey or Focus Group (100 points)

10

10/21-10/27

Other Types of Methods

 

11

10/28-11/3

Data and Statistics

Literature Review due (300 points)

12

11/4-11/10

Content Analysis

13

11/11-11/17

Qualitative Analysis

Application Assn: Quantitative or Qualitative (100 points)

14

11/18-11/24

Evidence-Based Decision Making

 

 

Thanksgiving Week

 

15

12/2-12/8

Outcomes-based Assessment

Methodology Paper due (150 points)

16

12/9-12/13

Wrap-Up. Semester ends Friday

PPT Presentation due (50 points), Due on Friday

Course Materials

No textbook to purchase. Readings will be indicated in each lesson module.

Grading

Grading Scheme
A = 90-100 percent                 C = 70-79 percent                   F = 59 percent and below
B = 80-89 percent                   D = 60-69 percent

Graded Work

  1. Independent assignments = 25%
  2. Parts of the Research Proposal = 60%
  3. Discussion Board = 15% (10 points each week for 15 weeks)

Course Policies

Fundamentally, responsibility for education at the graduate level belongs to the individual student.  Faculty provide the basic frame in which the study is undertaken, offer assistance in setting the parameters of study, and serve as facilitators and mentors.  This approach to the learning environment is particularly necessary as a conceptual framework for the development of professionals who must exercise critical thinking, analyze problems, and design solutions as a daily part of their work life, who must be independent and lifelong learners who also function effectively as team members in a diverse and dynamic professional environment.

Academic Integrity

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 written (not simply found, and not generated by AI) 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. 

Communication 

If you need to contact me, please do so by email. I check my email a lot and typically respond quickly. If you have not heard back in 2 days that means I missed your email, so please send it again. I am commonly on email over the weekend as well as evenings. 

You can address me as Dr. Burke or Susan. Please do not use Ms. or Mrs.

Feedback 

 I'm not a fast grader and it commonly takes me 2 weeks to return assignments. 

Late Policy

If your assignment is going to be late, contact me and we can talk about it. For an independent course like this, due dates are flexible other than the final paper which must be submitted before the semester ends.

University Academic Policies and Student Support

Mental Health Support Services

Support is available for any student experiencing mental health issues that are impacting their academic success. Students can either been seen at the University Counseling Center (UCC) located on the second floor of Goddard Health Center or receive 24/7/365 crisis support from a licensed mental health provider through TELUS Health. To schedule an appointment or receive more information about mental health resources at OU please call the UCC at 405-325-2911 or visit University Counseling Center. The UCC is located at 620 Elm Ave., Room 201, Norman, OK 73019.

Title IX Resources and Reporting Requirement

The University of Oklahoma faculty are committed to creating a safe learning environment for all members of our community, free from gender and sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, in accordance with Title IX. There are resources available to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you have (or someone you know has) experienced any form of sex or gender-based discrimination or violence and wish to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or University Counseling Center (M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 405-325-2911).

Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, and because of our Title IX obligations, 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 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 discussion, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails and during Student/Office Hours. You may also choose to report directly to the Institutional Equity Office. After a report is filed, the Title IX Coordinator will reach out to provide resources, support, and information and the reported information will remain private. For more information regarding the University’s Title IX Grievance procedures, reporting, or support measures, please visit Institutional Equity Office at 405-325-3546.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

The University of Oklahoma (OU) is committed to the goal of achieving equal educational opportunity and full educational participation for students with disabilities. If you have already established reasonable accommodations with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), please submit your semester accommodation request through the ADRC as soon as possible and contact me privately, so that we have adequate time to arrange your approved academic accommodations.

If you have not yet established services through ADRC, but have a documented disability and require accommodations, please complete ADRC’s pre-registration form to begin the registration process.  ADRC facilitates the interactive process that establishes reasonable accommodations for students at OU.  For more information on ADRC registration procedures, please review their Register with the ADRC web page.  You may also contact them at (405)325-3852 or adrc@ou.edu, or visit www.ou.edu/adrc for more information.  

Note: disabilities may include, but are not limited to, mental health, chronic health, physical, vision, hearing, learning and attention disabilities, pregnancy-related. ADRC can also support students experiencing temporary medical conditions.

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]

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 the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center at 405/325-3852 and/or the Institutional Equity Office at 405/325-3546 as soon as possible. Also, see the Institutional Equity Office FAQ on Pregnant and Parenting Students’ Rights for answers to commonly asked questions.

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.

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.

  1. Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Get in, Get Down, Cover Up
  5. Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.

Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.

The University of Oklahoma Active Threat Guidance

The University of Oklahoma embraces a Run, Hide, Fight strategy for active threats on campus. This strategy is well known, widely accepted, and proven to save lives. To receive emergency campus alerts, be sure to update your contact information and preferences in the account settings section at one.ou.edu.

RUN: Running away from the threat is usually the best option. If it is safe to run, run as far away from the threat as possible. Call 911 when you are in a safe location and let them know from which OU campus you’re calling from and location of active threat.

HIDE: If running is not practical, the next best option is to hide. Lock and barricade all doors; turn of all lights; turn down your phone’s volume; search for improvised weapons; hide behind solid objects and walls; and hide yourself completely and stay quiet. Remain in place until law enforcement arrives. Be patient and remain hidden.

FIGHT: If you are unable to run or hide, the last best option is to fight. Have one or more improvised weapons with you and be prepared to attack. Attack them when they are least expecting it and hit them where it hurts most: the face (specifically eyes, nose, and ears), the throat, the diaphragm (solar plexus), and the groin.

Please save OUPD’s contact information in your phone.

NORMAN campus:  For non-emergencies call (405) 325-1717. For emergencies call (405) 325-1911 or dial 911.

TULSA campus:  For non-emergencies call (918) 660-3900. For emergencies call (918) 660-3333 or dial 911.

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:

  1. LEAVE the building. Do not use the elevators.
  2. KNOW at least two building exits
  3. ASSIST those that may need help
  4. PROCEED to the emergency assembly area
  5. ONCE safely outside, NOTIFY first responders of anyone that may still be inside building due to mobility issues.
  6. WAIT for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.

OU Fire Safety on Campus

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due