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This
course addresses the theories, principles, and practices of social
science research. It examines reflective inquiry (including the
development of the problem statement, literature review, theoretical
framework, logical structure, research objectives, and
questions/hypotheses) and research design, data collection methods, and
data analysis. The course also covers generalizability, reliability and
validity, and the report and presentation of research results. Methods
in quantitative and qualitative data analysis are introduced. Students
are able to develop their own research proposals and select appropriate
methods based on specific research questions.
The course builds on
themes and research concepts introduced in LIS 620: History, Concepts
and Research Opportunities. The course requirement
might include assignments, quizzes, research projects, and
presentation of the research results.
-- Click the
buttons below to go to course objectives, student learning outcomes, and course
design specifics --
As a required course for PhD students, the
course is aimed to help students to achieve following specific goals:
- To
understand the nature of scientific methods and reflective inquiry,
the conduct and process of research, the design frameworks, and
methods of collecting, managing, and analyzing data;
- To
master key research methods and design traditions in the LIS field
and beyond, especially to familiar with the quantitative,
qualitative, and mixed methods and their corresponding research
designs;
- To
develop viable research plan, acquire skills in developing problem
statement and research questions, and designing appropriate
empirical methods and approaches for the research questions;
-
To
obtain practical experience in applying for IRB approval for
research protocols involving human participants, writing of research
proposal, and conducting data collection;
- To
develop critical reading/thinking skills, obtain an understanding of
the writing requirements of scholarly communication, and build a
sense of scholarship and academic life in the information field.
A. Master's Program Learning
Outcomes:
[by number from GSLIS Web]:
4, 7, 10
- Analyze, synthesize, and communicate information and knowledge in a variety of formats.
- Apply relevant research studies to tasks requiring problem solving and critical thinking.
- Analyze
information problems and develop solutions, drawing from a wide
range of information technology tools and practices.
B. PhD Program Learning Outcomes:
- Articulates
researchable problems and applies relevant research studies,
research designs, and methodologies to tasks requiring problem
solving and critical thinking.
- Analyzes
and presents information, including research proposals and findings,
clearly, accurately, and effectively in a variety for formats.
Seminar class sessions
will feature lectures, guest presentations, lead discussion of
readings,
and milestone project segment reports. The class
members will be involved in submitting a wiki reading journal and
posting questions about the readings. More importantly, students will
participate in investigating a research topic of
interest by going through the process of outlining a research
scenario, developing problem statement
and research questions, designing appropriate methods of inquiry,
and devising instruments for data collection. Individual students
will conduct small-scale data collections suitable for a pilot study
and perform data analysis. The end product of the course is a
report paper of the project carried out in the course of the
semester.
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