KING'S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

SOCIOLOGY  2206a (formerly Soc206a) Sec572

SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

September - December, 2009

 

 

Instructor:                   Prof. Patricia Pakvis

Office:                          DL240
Office Hours:              Wednesday 2 – 3 pm.
Telephone:                  (519) 433-3491
E-mail:                         pakvis@uwo.ca
Website:                       http://publish.uwo.ca/~pakvis/

Lectures:                      Tuesday 12:30 – 3:30 in W170

 

TA:                               Catherine Gelinas  

                                      Email:  cpgelina@uwo.ca

                                       Office Hours:  Tues. 10 a.m. – 12 noon (start Sept. 22 in DL224)

 

Antirequisite(s):         The former Sociology 231, Social Work 2205

Prerequisite(s):                    At least 60% in Sociology 020 or 021E.

 

Drop Date:                  Oct. 15, 2009

 

 

IMPORTANT MESSAGES (check this space regularly!):
CLICK HERE FOR FINAL EXAM INFORMATION AND STUDY TIPS

 

 

 

Course Description:

 

Sociology 2206a will introduce students to basic social research methodology.  Methods topics include theory and hypothesis formation, measurement, data collection, data analysis procedures, research ethics, and reporting of results.  Both qualitative and quantitative methods will be discussed.  Evaluation in the course will consist of a research assignment, a midterm and a final exam. 

 

 

Required Reading:

 

Neuman, W. Lawrence and Karen Robson. 2009. Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, First Canadian Edition. Pearson Education Canada (ISBN: 0205441769)

 

 

Course Evaluation:

 

Midterm (Tues. Oct. 20):                                  40%                    

Research Assignment (Tues. Dec. 1):               10%          

Final Exam (Date TBA):                                   50% 

 

 

Research Assignment:

 

A brief research assignment, worth 10 marks will be required for this course.  The assignment consists of a quantitative research problem statement accompanied by a simple model, possible hypotheses to be tested to investigate this proposed problem and an annotated bibliography. It is due at the start of class on Tuesday, Dec. 1.  A late penalty of 2%/day will be applied to late papers. Late assignments may be dropped off in the green mailbox, located on the 2nd floor of the Dante Lenardon building in an envelope addressed to me. Complete details will be posted on the class webpage at http://publish.uwo.ca/~pakvis/.  This assignment must be your own work. More information as well as examples can be found by clicking on the link below.  Please consult your academic calendar and read carefully the university guidelines on academic offences such as plagiarism!  

                                           

Research Assignment Guidelines

                                           

 

Midterm Test: 

 

The midterm is worth 40% of the final mark and will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 20.  The test will include both multiple choice and short answer questions. It will cover only the material from the beginning of the semester until the midterm. The materials will be drawn from the assigned readings and all material and films covered in class. Laptops, cell phones, calculators or other electronic devices are not permitted during the midterm. Should you miss a midterm for legitimate (i.e. medical etc.) reasons, appropriate documentation must be submitted to the Academic Dean’s office in order to receive accommodation for the missed exam. Religious accommodation is also possible. A makeup essay-style midterm will be held on the Friday immediately following the missed midterm (Oct. 23) in SA060 at 1:30 pm.

 

 

Final Exam:  

 

The final exam, worth 50% of the final mark, will be held during the final exam period in December. It will focus on the last half of the semester, although some questions may be cumulative. The materials will be drawn from the assigned readings and all material and films covered in class. The format will be similar to that of the midterm. Again, laptops, cell phones, calculators or other electronic devices are not permitted during the exam.

 

 

A FINAL NOTE:

“Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site:          http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf

 

 

Schedule of Lecture Topics and Readings:

 

a detailed schedule of lecture topics and readings can be found by clicking on the link below. Readings should be completed before the start of class. You will also find the lecture outlines here (click on the topic) as well as occasional supplementary online readings.  Lecture outlines will be posted shortly before the start of class.

 

Link To Topics and Readings