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METHODS
OF EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION
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Susan J. Ferguson
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Sociology 291.01
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Office: Carnegie 112
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Spring, 2002
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Phone: #269-3133
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Room: ARH 120
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E-mail: fergusos@grinnell.edu
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Time: 12:45 - 2:05 p.m.
Tu/Th
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Office Hours: 3 to 4
p.m., MW by appointment
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I. Course Description
This survey course
will provide an overview of research methods and issues found currently
within the social sciences. After a brief introduction to scientific
thinking, the course will focus on the research process. Specifically,
the various stages of research from problem formulation to data analysis
and report writing will each be examined in turn. At the same time, the
course will help you, the student, acquire the knowledge and skills necessary
to implement various aspects of the research process through the completion
of various field and class assignments. A primary learning strategy will
be reading and evaluating classic and contemporary examples of social
research.
The course is organized
into five thematic sections. The first section is an introduction to
scientific inquiry, including discussions pertaining to philosophy of
science issues, the history of social research and ethical and political
concerns of social research. The second section focuses on the main components
of the research process. Issues related to research design, measurement,
and sampling will be discussed. Various methods of collecting data are
emphasized in section three. This discussion will examine the strengths
and weaknesses of both qualitative and quantitative techniques, including
experiments, survey research, observation, and various forms of secondary
data analysis. Section four focuses on data management and processing
that occur after collecting the data. The data analysis section also
will include an overview of table analysis and descriptive and inferential
statistics. Finally, the last section pertains to the interpretation
and reporting of research results.
II. Course
Objectives
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1.
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To introduce
students to the research vocabulary and methods used in anthropology
and sociology to analyze social phenomena.
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2.
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To critically
access the strengths and weaknesses of various methods of data collection
utilized in the social sciences.
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3.
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To demonstrate
the many uses of social research from testing hypotheses about human
behavior, to evaluating social programs, to providing evidence for
public policy changes.
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4.
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To provide opportunities
for students to gain some initial experience in conducting research
at the various stages of the research process.
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5.
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To encourage
critical thinking and writing skills that demonstrate the students’
abilities to understand and evaluate social research.
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III. Course
Requirements
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A.
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Exams:
There will be two in-class exams (a mid-semester exam and a final
exam) that will cover prior lecture and reading material. Any additional
material provided by assignments, guest speakers, or videos also
will be covered on the exams. The final exam is not comprehensive.
Both exams are already scheduled in the course syllabus and students
are expected to take the exams during the time period that is listed.
There will be no makeup exams unless you have spoken with
me prior to the exam and have a valid excuse. Each exam will count
20% of your final grade.
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B.
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Assignments:
In addition to the two exams, there will be several required
outside assignments. The purpose of these assignments is to determine
how well you can utilize the research methods skills you are learning
in class. The assignments will be relatively short in length and
assigned fairly regularly. All assignments should be neatly
written or typed and reflect thoughtful writing skills.
Late assignments, if accepted, will be graded down. All
assignments together will count for 20% of your final grade.
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C.
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Journal
Article Analysis: Each student will locate a recent sociological
article from a top sociology journal on a topic of their choice.
Students will then read and evaluate the methods used in this research
article. The goal of this assignment is to demonstrate your ability
to understand and evaluate social research. You will be asked to
summarize, critique, and evaluate the article based on what you
have learned concerning research methods. Assignment instructions
will be handed out later. Assignments should be typed and reflect
thoughtful writing skills. This assignment will count for 10% of
your final grade.
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D.
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Final
Paper: Instead of a term paper, students will be asked
to write a final paper that synthesizes the material learned during
the semester. Specifically, this paper will take the form of a
research proposal for a future research project that the student
wants to conduct. The proposal can either be similar to a thesis
proposal or to a research grant proposal. Thus, this proposal can
either be an extension of the student's earlier research interests
or a proposal focused on answering a question generated this semester
in class. This paper should be about 6 to 8 pages in length, and
it will be due the last week of April. This paper will count for
20% of your final grade.
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E.
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Attendance
and Participation: Since this course is required for sociology
majors, students are expected to take an active role in shaping
their learning environment both within and outside the classroom.
This role includes regular attendance, leading and participating
in class discussions, and group work. Attendance will be taken
at the beginning of each class. Oral participation, class discussions,
and attendance will count for 10% of your final grade.
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PLEASE NOTE: THERE
WILL BE NO EXTRA CREDIT WORK.
IV. Required
Readings:
The following books
are available for purchase in the Grinnell College Bookstore.
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1.
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Hoover, Kenneth
and Todd Donovan. 2001. The Elements of Social Scientific Thinking.
Seventh Edition. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
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2.
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Katzer, Jeffrey,
Kenneth H. Cook, and Wayne W. Crouch. 1998. Evaluating Information:
A Guide to Users of Social Science Research. Fourth Edition.
Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.
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3.
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Ragin, Charles
C. 1994. Constructing Social Research: The Unity and Diversity
of Method. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.
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4.
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Reinhartz, Shulamit.
1992. Feminist Methods in Social Research. New York: Oxford
University Press
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Supplemental
Readings:
In addition to using
the readings listed above, I also will be supplementing the course reading
list with several articles that help to address the diversity and complexity
of research methodology. Plan on reading approximately three to
five articles per class session. Please keep up with the syllabus
by reading the assigned articles prior to the day that topic is discussed.
Suggested Readings:
Each week's description
of readings also can be supplemented by reading chapters in standard social
research methods texts in the library. I will place a few such texts
on reserve for your information. These suggested readings are for those
of you who want to read more or are especially interested in a particular
topic. I also suggest looking at the reference lists and bibliographies
at the end of each article and book for more sources.
Questions to
Think About While You Are Reading:
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Summary Questions:
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1.
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What are the
author’s primary research questions or hypotheses?
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2.
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What is the
author’s research design used to answer those questions and hypotheses?
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3.
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What evidence
does the author present in support of his or her arguments?
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Evaluation
Questions:
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4.
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What are the
strengths and weaknesses of the author’s research design?
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5.
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Do you agree
with the author’s findings? Why or why not?
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6.
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Do you have
any problems with this study or how it was conducted?
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V. Course Outline
With Reading Assignments
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SECTION ONE:
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INTRODUCTION
TO SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
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Tues. 1/22:
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Introduction
to Course
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Thur. 1/24:
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Philosophy
of Science Issues
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Read:
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Ragin, Chapter
1: “What is Social Research,” pp. 5-30.
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Hoover and Donovan,
Chapter 1: “Thinking Scientifically,” pp. 1-11.
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Garrity, Kimberly
and Douglas Degelman. 1990. “Effect of Server Introduction on Restaurant
Tipping.” Journal of Applied Social Psychology 20(2):168-172.
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Stidham, Ronald
and Robert A. Carp. 1995. “Indian Rights and Law Before the Federal
District Courts.” The Social Science Journal 32(1):87-100.
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Tues. 1/29:
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Goals
of Social Research
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Read:
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Ragin, Chapter
2: “The Goals of Social Research,” pp. 31-53.
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Katzer, et al.,
Chapter 1: “Purpose: What We Are Trying to Do,” pp. 1-11.
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Katzer, et al.,
Chapter 2: “Research Assumptions: What We Believe About How We Know,”
pp. 12-22.
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Deaux, Kay and
Randel Hanna. 1984. “Courtship in the Personals Column: The Influence
of Gender and Sexual Orientation.” Sex Roles 11(5-6):363-375.
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Thur. 1/31:
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Ethical
and Political Issues in Social Research
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Read:
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Mutchnick and
Berg, Chapter 6: “Research Ethics,” pp.215-220.
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Humphries, Laud.
1970. “Tearoom Trade: Impersonal Sex in Public Places.” Pp. 85-114
in The Research Experience, edited by M. Patricia Golden.
Itasca, IL: F.E. Peacock Pub.
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Weitz, Rose.
1991. “Personal Reflections on Researching HIV Disease.” Pp. 187-198
in Life With AIDS. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University
Press.
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American Sociological
Association. 1997. “Code of Ethics.” Washington, D.C.: ASA.
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Do:
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Exercise 1:
Academic Resume
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In Class:
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Discuss research
ethics and academic resumes.
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SECTION TWO:
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THE COMPONENTS
OF RESEARCH
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Tues. 2/5:
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The Research
Process
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Read:
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Mutchnick and
Berg, Chapter 1: “Introduction,” read pp. 2-9.
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Ragin, Chapter
3: “The Process of Social Research,” pp. 55-79.
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Hoover and Donovan,
Chapter 2: “The Elements of Science,” pp. 13-41.
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Romero, Mary.
1992. “Intersection of Biography and History: My Intellectual Journey.”
Pp. 1-16 in Maid in the USA. New York: Routledge Press.
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In Class:
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What makes
good research problems?
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Thur. 2/7:
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Conceptualization
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Read:
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Hoover and Donovan,
Chapter 3: “Strategies,” pp. 43-61.
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Hoover and Donovan,
Chapter 4: “Refinements,” pp. 63-85.
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Ransford, H.
Edward. [1968]. “Isolation, Powerlessness, and Violence: A Study
of Attitudes and Participation in the Watts Riot.” Pp. 292-314
in The Research Experience, edited by M. Patricia Golden.
Itasca, IL: F.E. Peacock Publishers.
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Hertz, Rosanna
and Susan M. Reverby. 1995. “Gentility, Gender, and Political Protest:
The Barbara Bush Controversy at Wellesley College.” Gender and
Society 9(5):594-611.
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Do:
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Exercise 2:
Conceptualization
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Tues. 2/12:
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Measurement
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Read:
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Mutchnick and
Berg, Chapter 2: “Issues of Measurement,” pp. 29-39.
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Hoover and Donovan,
Chapter 5: “Measuring Variables and Relationships,” pp. 87-93.
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Katzer, et al.,
Chapter 9: “Measurement: How Does It Size Up?” pp. 93-107.
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Kleg, Milton
and Kaoru Yamamoto. 1998. “As the World Turns: Ethno-Racial Distances
after 70 Years.” The Social Science Journal 35(2):183-190.
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Do:
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Exercise 3:
Measurement
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Thur. 2/14:
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Sampling
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Read:
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Mutchnick and
Berg, Chapter 3: “Sampling and Design,” read pp. 73-77.
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Hoover and Donovan,
Chapter 5: “Measuring Variables and Relationships,” pp. 94-102.
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Jackson, Pamela
Braboy, Peggy A. Thoits, and Howard F. Taylor. 1995. “Composition
of the Workplace and Psychological Well-Being: The Effects of Tokenism
on America’s Black Elite.” Social Forces 74(2):543-557.
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*McAninch, Decile
B. and Richard Milich, Ginger B. Crumbo, and Miriam N. Funtowizc.
1996. “Children’s Perception of Gender-Role-Congruent and -Incongruent
Behavior in Peers: Fisher-Price Meets Price Waterhouse.” Sex
Roles 35(9-10):619-638.
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Do:
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Exercise 4:
Sampling
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Tues. 2/19:
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Research
Designs
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Note:
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First assignment
on the Journal Article Analysis is due at beginning of class.
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Knop, Edward.
1967. “Suggestions to Aid the Student in Systematic Interpretation
and
Analysis of
Empirical Sociological Journal Presentations.” The American Sociologist
May:90-92.
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Read:
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Mutchnick and
Berg, Chapter 3: “Sampling and Design,” read pp. 77-81.
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Ragin, Chapter
4: “Using Qualitative Methods to Study Commonalities,” pp. 81-103.
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LaFree, Gary
D. [1980]. “Official Reactions to Rape and the Social Control of
Blacks.” Pp. 337-345 in Empirical Approaches to Sociology: Classic
and Contemporary Readings, edited by Gregg Lee Carter. New York:
MacMillan Publishing Company.
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*Tjosvold, Dean.
1995. “Effects of Power to Reward and Punish in Cooperative and
Competitive Contexts.” The Journal of Social Psychology 135(6):723-736.
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SECTION THREE:
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DATA
COLLECTION
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Thur. 2/21:
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Experiments
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Read:
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Reinhartz, Shulamit.
1992. “Feminist Experimental Research.” Pp. 95-108 in Feminist
Methods in Social Research. New York: Oxford University Press.
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Haney, Craig,
W. Curtis Banks, and Phillip G. Zimbardo. “Interpersonal Dynamics
in a Simulated Prison.” Pp.157-190 in The Research Experience,
edited by M. Patricia Golden. Itasca, IL: F.E. Peacock Publishers.
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Garst, Jennifer
and Galen V. Bodenhausen. 1997. “Advertising Effects on Men’s Gender
Role Attitudes.” Sex Roles 36(9-10):551-572.
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Do:
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Exercise 5:
Experimental Design
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Tues. 2/26:
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Surveys
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Read:
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Mutchnick and
Berg, Chapter 4: “Technologies of Observation,” pp. 115-116.
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Reinhartz, Shulamit.
1992. “Feminist Survey Research and Other Statistical Research Formats.”
Pp. 76-94 in Feminist Methods in Social Research. New York:
Oxford University Press.
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Bulan, Heather
Ferguson, Rebecca J. Erickson, and Amy S. Wharton. 1997. “Doing
For Others on the Job: The Affective Requirements of Service Work,
Gender, and Emotional Well-Being.” Social Problems 44(2):235-256.
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Do:
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Exercise 6:
Survey Design
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Thur. 2/28:
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Questionnaire
Design
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Read:
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Bailey, Kenneth
D. 1987. “Questionnaire Construction.” Pp. 105-172 in Methods
of Social Research. Third Edition. New York: The Free Press.
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Do:
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Exercise 7:
Questionnaire Construction
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Tues. 3/5:
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Interviews
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Read:
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Mutchnick and
Berg, Chapter 4: “Technologies of Observation,” pp. 116-119.
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Thompson, Paul.
1988. “The Interview.” Pp. 196-216 in Voices of the Past.
London: Oxford University Press.
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Reinhartz, Shulamit.
1992. “Feminist Interview Research.” Pp.18-45 in Feminist Methods
in Social Research. New York: Oxford University Press.
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Dull, Diana
and Candace West. 1991. “Accounting for Cosmetic Surgery: The Accomplishment
of Gender.” Social Problems 38(1):54-70.
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*Neuman, Susan
B., Tracy Hagedorn, Donna Celano, and Pauline Daly. 1995. “Toward
a Collaborative Approach to Parent Involvement in Early Education:
A Study of Teenage Mothers in an African American Community.” American
Educational Research Journal 32(4):801-827.
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Do:
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Exercise 8:
Interviews
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Thur. 3/7:
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Observation
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Read:
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Mutchnick and
Berg, Chapter 4: “Technologies of Observation,” pp. 119-120.
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Katzer, et al.,
Chapter 3: “Observation: Seeing Is Not Believing,” pp. 25-35.
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Bogdan, Robert.
1972. “Appendix.” Pp. 73-96 in Participant Observation in Organizational
Settings. Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press.
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Voss, Laurie
Scarborough. 1997. “Teasing, Disrupting, and Playing: Cross-Gender
Interactions and Space Utilization among First and Third Graders.”
Gender and Society 11(2):238-256.
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Wallace, Jennifer
J. 1990. “‘But You Don’t Live Here, Man’: Negotiating Social Reality
at the Rosebush Hotel.” Symbolic Interaction 13(2):241-255.
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Do:
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Exercise 9:
Observation exercise of some social setting. Due after Spring
Break.
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Tues. 3/12:
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Doing
Fieldwork: Notes From the Field
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Read:
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Reinhartz, Shulamit.
1992. “Feminist Ethnography.” Pp. 46-75 in Feminist Methods in
Social Research. New York: Oxford University Press.
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MacLeod, Jay.
1995. “Appendix on the Making of Ain’t No Makin’ It.” Pp.
270 - 302 in Ain’t No Makin’ It: Aspirations and Attainment
in a Low-Income Neighborhood. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
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Pierce, Jennifer.
1995. “Articulating the Self in Field Research.” Pp. 189-214 in
Gender Trials: Emotional Lives in Contemporary Law Firms.
Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
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Thur. 3/14:
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Midsem Exam
in class.
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No readings.
Review for exam.
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SPRING BREAK
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3/15 to 4/1
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Hurray!!!!
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Tues. 4/2:
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Unobtrusive
Research: Archival Analysis and Meta-Analysis
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Read:
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Mutchnick and
Berg, Chapter 4: “Technologies of Observation,” pp. 120-124.
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Reinhartz, Shulamit.
1992. “Feminist Content Analysis.” Pp.145-163 in Feminist Methods
in Social Research. New York: Oxford University Press.
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Young, Tasia
and Mary B. Harris. 1996. “Most Admired Women and Men: Gallup,
Good Housekeeping, and Gender.” Sex Roles 35(5-6):363-374.
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Feingold, Alan
and Ronald Mazzella. 1998. “Gender Differences in Body Image Are
Increasing.” Psychological Science 9(3):190-195.
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Thur. 4/4:
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Secondary
Data Analysis
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Read:
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John, Daphne
and Beth Anne Shelton. 1997. “The Production of Gender Among Black
and White Women and Men: The Case of Household Labor.” Sex Roles
36(3-4):171-193.
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McDowall, David.
1991. “Firearm Availability and Homicide Rates in Detroit, 1951-1986.”
Social Forces 69(4):1085-1101.
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In Class:
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Guest speaker:
Prof. Sylvia Thorson-Smith will discuss sexuality research.
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SECTION FOUR:
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DATA ANALYSIS
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Tues. 4/9:
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Data Management
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Read:
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Mutchnick and
Berg, Chapter 5: “Data Organization and Analysis,” pp. 181-185.
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Davis, Theodore
J., Jr. 1995. “The Occupational Mobility of Black Males Revisited:
Does Race Matter?” The Social Science Journal 32(2):121-135.
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Do:
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Exercise 10:
Content Analysis
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Thur. 4/11:
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Data Processing
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Read:
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Ragin, Chapter
5: “Using Comparative Methods to Study Diversity,” pp. 105-130.
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Ragin, Chapter
6: “Using Quantitative Methods to Study Covariation,” pp. 131-153.
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In Class:
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Date Maker Analysis
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Tues. 4/16:
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Time Series
Analysis
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Read:
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Mutchnick and
Berg, Chapter 5: “Data Organization and Analysis,” pp. 193-214.
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In Class:
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Guest Speaker
to be announced.
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Thur. 4/18:
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Table
Analysis
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Read:
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Mutchnick and
Berg, Chapter 1: “Table Reading,” pp. 2-5.
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Hirsch, Travis.
1994 [1969]. “Control Theory and Juvenile Delinquency.” Pp.301-319
in Empirical Approaches to Sociology: Classic and Contemporary
Readings, edited by Gregg Lee Carter. New York: Macmillan Publishing
Company.
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*Ballard, Mary
E. and J. Rose Wiest. 1996. “Mortal Kombat (tm): The Effects of
Violent Videogame Play on Males Hostility and Cardiovascular Responding.”
Journal of Applied Social Psychology 26(8):717-730.
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Do:
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Exercise 11:
Table Analysis
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Tues. 4/23:
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Descriptive
Statistical Analysis
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Read:
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Hoover and Donovan,
Chapter 5: “Measuring Variables and Relationships,” pp. 102-128.
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Katzer, et al.,
Chapter 10: “Description: Are the Results Summarized Fairly?” pp.108-117.
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Norton, Kevin
I., Timothy S. Olds, Scott Olive, and Stephan Dank. 1996. “Ken and
Barbie at Life Size.” Sex Roles 34(3-4):287-294.
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Lisak, David
and Susan Roth. 1990. “Motives and Psychodynamics of Self-Reported,
Unincarcerated Rapists.” American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
60(2):268-280.
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Thur. 4/25:
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