Course Description

This course provides a general introduction to the process of social research.  We will first cover a number of basic issues that are central to most social research methods.  The remainder of the course will be devoted to an examination of specific methods used in research.  Although methods such as unobtrusive observation, experimentation, and in-depth interviewing will be covered, a large part of the course will focus on surveys and the methods used to employ and analyze them.

Required Readings

Babbie.  The Basics of Social Research, Second edition and later.

Grading

Lab assignments                      10%

Mid-term exam                        25%

Final exam                               25%

Research Paper                        40%

Class and lab attendance is not required but is strongly encouraged.

Course Description

This course provides a general introduction to the process of social research.  We will first cover a number of basic issues that are central to most social research methods.  The remainder of the course will be devoted to an examination of specific methods used in research.  Although methods such as unobtrusive observation, experimentation, and in-depth interviewing will be covered, a large part of the course will focus on surveys and the methods used to employ and analyze them.

Required Readings

Babbie.  The Basics of Social Research, Second edition and later.

Grading

Lab assignments                      10%

Mid-term exam                        25%

Final exam                               25%

Research Paper                        40%

Class and lab attendance is not required but is strongly encouraged.

Sociology 317M:  Introduction to Social Research

(Unique #46330)

Course Syllabus

Meeting time:            Lecture:      TTH 3:30 – 4:30p                          Meeting place:      WEL 3.402

                                    Lab:            W 3:00 – 5:00p                                                              BUR 124

Instructor:                 Marc Musick                                                    Office:                    GEB 2.200

Email address:           musick@austin.utexas.edu                             Office phone:        471-4271

Office hours:                M 9:00 – 11:00a (and by appointment: jgm@austin.utexas.edu)

Teaching assistant:         Andrea Henderson                                  Office:                    BUR 548                                

Email address:                   hende@mail.utexas.edu                          Office phone:        232-6326

Office hours:                     W 12:00-2:00 (and by appointment)

Course Description

This course provides a general introduction to the process of social research.  We will first cover a number of basic issues that are central to most social research methods.  The remainder of the course will be devoted to an examination of specific methods used in research.  Although methods such as unobtrusive observation, experimentation, and in-depth interviewing will be covered, a large part of the course will focus on surveys and the methods used to employ and analyze them.

Readings

The course has no required text.  However, students are strongly encouraged to buy one of the texts shown below and follow the reading schedule listed at the end of the syllabus.  All material covered on the exams will come from class and lab lectures, but readings will provide more in-depth information on those topics.  The readings will also be a source of support for the group research project described below.

Babbie.  The Basics of Social Research. Any edition.

Babbie.  The Practice of Social Research.  Any edition.

Attendance Policy

                          Although I strongly encourage students to attend class, I will not take attendance nor will use attendance in determining grades.

Outline of Course Requirements and Due Dates

Lab Assignments

          Throughout the semester, students will be required to complete five short assignments that will be distributed and collected in lab.  Assignments will be checked for accuracy but will not be graded.  Completion of each assignment is worth 2 points of the total grade.  Thus, for example, students who complete only 4 of the assignments will receive only 8 of the 10 possible points.  Guidelines for submitting lab assignments will be distributed later in the semester.

          Group Project

          All students will be required to work in teams of 3-4 to create a group project for the semester.  The project will require that teams partner with an organization in the university or community and undertake a social research project on the organization’s behalf.  Over the course of the semester groups will have to submit statements of progress on the project, and these statements will be factored into the overall grade for the project.  Guidelines for the project and periodic submissions will be distributed later in the semester.

Exams

          The mid-term exam will cover all material covered in the lectures and labs to that point.  The final exam will cover all material between the mid-term and final exams.  Review sheets will be distributed prior to the exams. 

Make-up Exams and Late Papers

          Lab assignments

                                    Lab assignments are due by the end of the session on the date specified.  No late assignments will be accepted.

          Exams

          Make-up exams will be given only in rare circumstances.  I will require a physician’s note or some other suitable documentation to allow a make-up exam.  I must be notified in advance that you will not be able to take the exam.

          Research paper

                          Papers are due at Dr. Musick’s office (GEB 2.200) by 5:00pm on the date specified.  Late papers will be accepted, but with a penalty.  For each day (a day ends at 5:00pm) that papers are late, grades will be reduced 10%.  Papers that have not been turned in within a week of the due date will not be accepted. 

Re-grading Policy

          If you feel that you have not received a grade that is consonant with your performance on an assignment or paper, I will review your grade only if you submit a written request for me to do so.  The written request should discuss how the grade was in error and the number of additional points requested.

Policy on Enrollment in 317M

          All students must receive permission to enroll in SOC 317M for the second time.  Students will not be allowed to enroll in SOC 317M for a third time.

Academic Accommodations

Any student with a documented disability who requires academic accommodations should contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 471-6259 (voice) or 232-2937 (Video Phone) as soon as possible to request an official letter outlining authorized accommodations.

Honor Code & Academic Integrity

The core values of the University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the University is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.

This course holds to these core principles of the university.  Consequently, if a student is found to be engaging in some form of academic dishonesty, the student will be reported to the Dean of Students.  For a summary of what constitutes academic dishonesty, see Section 11-802 of the General Information Catalog.

Course Outline and Reading Schedule

          Readings shown are optional and are taken from the Babbie book, The Basics of Social Research, Third Edition.  Similar chapters can be found in other editions of that book and in The Practice of Social Research.