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Bowie State
University of the
Maryland State
University System
Course Number: PUAD 502
Course Title: Qualitative Research Methods
Term Dates: Term V (10 June – 4 October 2002)
Instructor: Dr. Ken J. Kovach Phone/fax: 01353 860671
100 MSS Office: UM Representative
PSC 37, Box 3414 e-mail:
APO AE 09459 INTERNET:KJKovach@aol.com
Credit Hours: Three (3)
Meetings: Distance Education format (Web Tycho)
Course Texts:
Leedy, P.D. & Ormrod, J.E. (2001). Practical research:Planning and design (7th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc. ISBN 0-13-960360-3
Silverman, D. (2000). Doing qualitative research. Thousand Oakes, CA: SAGE Publications. ISBN 0-7619 5823 1 (pbk)
Supplemental Material:
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington DC: Author.
Course Description: Focuses on the study and application of research methodology for organizations as a tool in decision-making. Emphasis is on theories and designs for data collection and analysis.
Course Objectives: At the completion of this course, a student will be able to understand:
- practical skills for conducting original research and evaluating critically the research of others,
- how to interpret research findings and how to apply them,
- differentiating between qualitative and quantitative research techniques,
- the fundamental skills associated with measurement, sampling, and field work,
- various data collection techniques, and
- the potential ethical problems associated with research.
Grading: Midterm Examination : 20 points A = 90-100 points
Final Examination : 20 ” B = 80- 89 points
C = 70 -79 points
Research report 30 ” F = below 70
Class Work: 30 ”
Total 100 points
Examinations: Each examination will consist of short essays or brief exercises to ascertain basic understanding and knowledge of the subject. The exams will be sent to each student on-line and will be required to be completed within a specified time period.
Research Report: Each student will develop a qualitative research report. This is an university requirement indicated on page 4 of the current school catalogue. Details of the requirements will be presented in the Project area of the course. The American Psychological Association format (5th edition) will be followed in its presentation; however, university requirements as provided by the instructor will supercede the APA when necessary. Content and presentation of the material are important; however, technical presentation will count for 40 percent of the assessment, while content will count for the reminder point value. If a student desires feedback on the report, then a hard copy is required for instructor noting and returning to each student. A student may send this assignment to the Assignment forum as an attachment; however, this work will be graded only and not returned. Total value equals 30 points. Due: 30 September 2002.
Class Work: Each student is expected to have thoroughly read all assignments, participate in Conference forums, work with an assigned Study group, and meet all assignments on time. University of Maryland standards of integrity and conduct will be met. Class assignments will be made during the term. These will be presented as Conference Activities. Each Session will involve one or more of these Conference activities. Instructor lecture material will be presented as Course Content material. Students who miss class work due to job or emergency reasons must complete all work for full credit before the end of the course and must communicate with the instructor for any missed student tasking. Each case is reviewed on its merit. Personal reasons involving leave, vacations, and other non-emergency or duty reasons are not grounds for approved makeup work Assignments may be changed at the instructor's discretion, but sufficient time will be allowed for any necessary changes. A three-week class break will be established during 27 July until 16 August 2002. Session periods are identified for class work It is important that each student review the Course forum at least three times per week to ascertain Conference assignments and lecture material via Course Content. It is suggested that students review their portfolio to establish their participation in this course. Direct e-mail to each other does not allow for Web Tycho tracking; therefore, use the course forums for participation tracking.
Class policies: Incompletes will only be considered for students who have had extenuating requirements and who are passing the course at the time of request. The instructor will determine the work required and the time approved for completion. Normal student attention to class participation is required. Communication is absolutely vital to this distance education program. Usually, three times per week student contact will suffice for DE class work; however, students may visit the class at any time and are encouraged to begin assignments early.
Course
Schedule
SESSION 1 (10 - 24 June 2002)
Topics: Introduction/Orientation
Biography
Overview of Research
Qualitative versus Quantitative Research
Research Report
APA
Tools of Research
Objectives:
1. Know and understand the scope of the course.
2. Define research and recognize differing methodologies.
3. Differentiate between research methods.
4. Understand the background and theory of research reporting.
5. Understand the APA and its application.
6. Know tools of research.
7. Meet class through biographies.
Assignments:
Read Chapters 1 & 2 of Leedy & Ormrod and chapters 1-3 of Silverman. Review available materials useful in understanding qualitative research methodology and also review the APA. Respond to any Conference established and review Course Content for lecture material. This latter requirement applies to each and every Session.
SESSION 2 (25 Jun – 5 July 2002)
Topics: Theory or Research Question
Problem Formulation
Objectives:
1. State research problems clearly.
2. Develop research hypotheses or research question.
3. Formulate pertinent research questions from the research problems.
Assignments:
Read chapter 3 of Leedy & Ormrod and chapters 4-6 of Silverman. Review pertinent research material for developing qualitative research plans.
SESSION 3( 6 July – 14 July 2002)
Topics: Qualitative Models
Objectives:
1. Understand various qualitative models.
2. Apply modeling to personal selection.
Assignments:
Read chapter 7 of Leedy & Ormrod. Accomplish class assignments as required.
SESSION 4 (15 July - 26 July 2002)
Topics: Literature Review
Midterm exam
Objectives:
1. Develop understanding of researching the literature.
2. Discuss presenting an unbiased review of the literature.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the course subject.
Assignments:
Read previously assigned chapters from the course texts and chapter 4 of Leedy & Ormrod and chapter 18 of Silverman. Review pertinent material relevant to the session topics. Accomplish class assignments and complete the midterm and place in the Assignments forum nlt 26 July 2002.
BREAK BREAK BREAK 27 July until 16 August 2002!!!
SESSION 5 (17 Aug – 30 Aug 2002)
Topics: Welcome Back!
Review
Rules for Qualitative Research
Data Collection
Sampling
Objectives:
1. Review the subject matter presented.
2. Understand rules for research.
3. Discuss data collection techniques.
Assignments:
Review all course material and requirements to date. Accomplish any class assignments. Read chapters 5 & 9 of Leedy & Ormrod and chapters 8, 10, 11, & 12 of Silverman.
SESSION 6 (31 Aug – 8 Sep 2002)
Topics: Methodology
Descriptive versus inferential statistics
Objectives:
1. Demonstrate understanding of the concepts and theories involved with qualitative research.
2. Discuss assumptions & limitations for research.
3. Discuss published research articles.
4. Differentiate between descriptive and inferential statistics.
Assignments: Read chapters 5, 7, & 11 of Leedy & Ormrod and chapters 7 & 19 of Silverman. Accomplish class assignments.
SESSION 7 (9 Sep – 16 Sep 2002)
Topics: Validity & Reliability
Ethics
Objectives:
1. Understand the difference between validity & reliability.
2. Discuss ethical issues in qualitative research.
Assignments:
Read pertinent material related to the class topics and chapter 13 of Silverman.& chapter 5 of Leedy & Ormrod.
SESSION 8 (17 Sep – 22 September 2002)
Topics: Writing the research report
Objectives:
1. Defend the value of qualitative research.
2. Understand technical reporting.
3. Critically analyze research reports.
Assignments:
Read chapters 6 & 12 of Leedy & Ormrod and all of Part Five of Silverman.
SESSION 9 (23 Sep – 29 September 2002)
Topics: Report Presentation
APA
Objectives:
1. Discuss research reporting requirements for qualitative reports.
2. Understand APA rules and practices.
Assignments: Review all applicable material. Accomplish all assigned taskings. Send a hard copy of your research report to KJKovach, PSC 37, Box 3414, APO AE 09459 or 31 Hempfield Road, Littleport, Cambs CB6 1NW, England or place your report as a Word, RTF, or text format in the Assignments forum of the course nlt 30 September 2002.
SESSION 10 (30 Sep – 4 Oct 2002)
Topics: Qualitative Research Reports
Final Exam (Due nlt 4 Oct 2002)
Objectives:
1. Understand reporting formats and presentation.
2. Demonstrate understanding of research report analysis.
3. Asses student learning
Assignments: Review all course material to date. Complete all course requirements.