General Studies (GNST) 313 L 01
Interdisciplinary Research Methodologies

Fall 2008

F 13:00-15:50

 

Instructor:	Linda Vennard
Office Location:	TBA
Office Phone:	TBA
E-Mail:	lfgolden@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	N/A
Office Hours:	TBA

Course Description

This course is a critical introduction to interdisciplinary research methodologies. Students will explore, practice, and critique various quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and various perspectives on the processes of knowledge production. We will also examine ethical considerations in research and examine how research is situated within the broader social context.

Objectives of the Course

The primary objectives of this course are to help students develop skills in conducting research and in becoming a critical and informed consumer of research. To achieve these objectives students will actively engage in conducting research of their own while critically reflecting on their process. In addition, students will critically examine the research of others and explore ways of interpreting research findings and assessing their soundness.

Textbooks and Readings:

David, M. & C. D. Sutton (2004). Social Research: The Basics. SAGE: London.

Assignments and Evaluation

Group Project Part 1: Literature Review:     October 3, 2008 (10%)

Group Project Part 2: Research Design & Methodology:     October 17, 2008 (10%)

In Class Exercise:     October 17, 2008 (10%)

Quiz #1:     October 31, 2008 (20%)

Quiz #2:     November 21, 2008 (10%)

Group Project Part 3: Presentation (10%) - to be scheduled

Group Project Part 4: Paper (30%) - due last day of class, December 5, 2008

About the Group Project:

Students will work in groups to complete a group project over the length of the course. The project comprises four components: (1) Literature Review 10%; (2) Research Design & Methodology (10%); Presentation of Project (10%); and (4) a Written Research Paper of 8-10 pages. Each component of the project will be shared with the rest of the class through a presentation. Further details of each component will be provided in class.

About the In Class Exercise:

This is a group assignment that will be completed in class October 17, 2008, and will focus on research design and methodology. Further details will be provided the first day of class. The 10% will be a common grade shared with the group.

About Quiz #1:

Quiz#1 will contain short answer questions, and short essay questions. It will cover the material in Chapters 1-15 of the required text, lecture material and all other material covered to that point in the course.

About Quiz #2:

Quiz #2 is noncumulative and will contain short answer questions, and short essay questions. It will cover the material in Chapters 16-26 of the required text, lecture material and all other material covered in class to that point the course (after Quiz #1).
It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Note: Please hand in assignments directly to the instructor if possible. If not possible, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date and placed in the instructors mailbox.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination: NO

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre.  Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

(Revised, effective September 2008)

 

	Grading Scale
A+	96-100
A	90-95.99
A -	85-89.99
B+	80-84.99
B	75-79.99
B-	70-74.99
C+	65-69.99
C	60-64.99
C-	55-59.99
D+	53-54.99
D	50-52.99
F	0-49

 

Where a grade on a particular assignment is expressed as a letter grade, it will normally be converted to a number using the midpoint of the scale.  That is, A- would be converted to 87.5 for calculation purposes.  F will be converted to zero.

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/su

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Ethics

Whenever you perform research with human participants (i.e. surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines.  Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research.  For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see the U of C Research Ethics "Information for Applicants," sections 3.0 to 9.0, inclusive: http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/research/html/ethics/info_undergrad.html

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

A daily schedule of lectures and readings, as well as detailed assignment descriptions, will be handed out on the first day of class.