This is a sophomore level class that introduces students to sociologically oriented research methods and statistics. Course content includes the principles and practice of research designs, sampling, data collection, data management/analysis/reporting (including an introduction to SPSS), and the ethics of sociological research.

Course Objectives:

1. To understand the logic of science and the relationship between theory and research.

2. To understand measurement issues, including levels of measurement and the distinction between "concepts," and their indicators.

3. To understand sampling procedures, and their implications. To be able to critically examine other's sampling method.

4. To understand the various research methodologies (e.g., experiments, surveys, secondary data analysis) and their strengths and weaknesses.

5. To be able to use library (including the Internet) resources to aid in research. This includes finding (and recognizing) legitimate research articles.

6. To understand the protection of human subjects.

7. To understand how qualitative and quantitative data are generated and organized. This includes basic quantitative statistics, including measures of central tendency, dispersion, and association, as well as tables/graphs.

8. To be able to use SPSS to do data coding and input, conduct simple data analyses (cross-tabulation and simple measures of association). This includes an understanding of when to use particular statistics and how to interpret them.

Earl Babbie (2008). The Basics of Social Research. Fourth Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Students are also required to access SPSS software (see below).

This class does cover data analysis, and students will be expected to use SPSS software. Students in the following UMD colleges can get SPSS for free: CEHSP, CLA, and LSBE. To obtain SPSS, go to the ITSS web site (http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/software/spss/) and follow the instructions. Students who are in different colleges can purchase access for a year for $40 via the same web site.

Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the semester. Adaptation of methods, materials or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation. It is your responsibility to contact the Access Center for advice regarding adaptations.

Cheating on exams or assignments will be dealt with in accordance with University policies. Anyone caught cheating on an exam will receive a zero for that exam. Plagiarism refers to presenting another's words or ideas as if they were your own. It is cheating and thus an academic offense. The penalty for plagiarism is failure for that particular assignment. I encourage you to work together, but you must turn in your own work. If you use ideas or words from the texts or outside readings, you must cite the work.

I do not take attendance and there is no formal penalty for missing class (no points will be deducted from your score based solely on attendance). However, past experience with teaching this class suggests that a student's attendance is strongly related to his or her exam performance. For some topics, the lecture will be your sole source of information, and many of the exam questions are drawn straight from the lecture. Finally, to the extent that group assignments take place as a part of class when you are absent, you will receive a zero for that assignment. In short, it is to your benefit to attend class regularly. Please note that the material builds in complexity over the course of the semester (e.g., the content gets more difficult as time passes).

Given that attendance is not mandatory, I expect that students who attend class will pay attention to the lecture, and not hold conversations unrelated to class, pass notes, or engage in other high school level antics. Please turn off your cell phone prior to class and refrain from making cell phone calls during class. Given the nature of our topics, there are sometimes differences of opinion. In your group work and in the classroom, I expect that students will nevertheless treat each other (and myself) with respect at all times.

All students are expected to take the exams on the scheduled date. If you have a legitimate excuse, you must notify me before the exam. Anyone missing an exam without prior notification will receive a zero for that exam.

Exams: There will be two "in class" exams. Exams consist of a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions.

Exercises and Assignments: Students will complete a number of exercises, as well as some in class assignments (these may be group-based).

Grading Scale: (Instructor reserves right to curve final grades upward)