By the close of the semester you will have conceptualized a research question, reviewed the relevant literature in the field, created a research design, developed a population sample, collected data, and analyzed the data using state of the discipline computer techniques. Finally, you will write up the completed research project. Requirements include participation in discussion, weekly exercises, computer projects, and completion of a semester research paper. There are no midterms and there is no final exam. Weekly exercises will focus on current topics of discussion, and are designed to assist you in developing the necessary skills to successfully complete the research project.
All exercises are to be handed in on time.
Late exercises will not be accepted. The Research Paper is the main focus of the course. The final results will be written up according to the protocol outlined in Scott and Garrison. All exercises and papers are to be typed, double spaced. The final research paper will be the culmination of the semester's work, and must include a clear discussion of the research question, a review of the relevant scholarly literature, a description of the population sample, discussion of survey questions, summation of data, and most importantly, analysis of that data.