STATISTICS AND RESEARCH DESIGN
COUN 512
3 Credits
Dr. Diana Doumas
Email: dianadoumas@boisestate.edu
(208) 426-2646; E610
Office Hours: by appointment
Course Description:
The course will provide a basic understanding of the quantitative methods of research. The course covers both research methodology and statistical procedures. Topics covered include the scientific method, experimental and correlational research, sampling methods, hypothesis development, introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics, and the choice of appropriate statistical analyses for testing specific hypotheses. Students will gain the fundamentals of statistics as they analyze counseling and educational data with emphasis on the review and interpretation of research literature (particularly in the areas of child development and psychotherapy), experience the role of computers in statistical analysis, and discover the relationships among measurement, design, and statistics. At the conclusion of the course, each student will have selected a research topic and will have begun to develop a research proposal including hypotheses, sampling, and methodology. PREREQ: COUN 501.
Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student will:
· Acquire a basic knowledge of the process or research and hypothesis testing, including limitations inherent in specific methodologies
· Be able to choose appropriate methodologies for specific research questions
· Be able to choose and evaluate instruments appropriate for measuring variables in a research project
· Acquire a basic understanding of descriptive and inferential statistics sufficient to have the ability to choose appropriate forms of data analysis for specific research questions
· Begin to develop the ability to critically evaluate research literature
· Acquire a basic ability to use statistical software and interpret results from completed statistical analyses
· Be able to detect misuse of statistical reporting in professional articles and government studies
· Demonstrate understanding of SPSS
· Distinguish between good and poor research design
· Evaluate statistical reports and integrate the data with sound educational decision making
Course Methods of Instruction:
Research methodology and statistical procedures will be taught through the use of lecture and power point presentations. Class exercises, including group work, calculating statistics, and presenting research critiques, will be used to facilitate learning of methodology and statistical concepts. Demonstration of statistical analysis of data using SPSS software will be used to teach analytic procedures and students will use SPSS software to analyze data provided for practice.
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This course is designed to meet the following CACREP Research and Program Evaluation Standards: |
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1. The importance of research and opportunities and difficulties in conduction research in the counseling profession |
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2. Research methods such as qualitative, quantitative, single-case designs, action research, and outcome-based research |
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3. Use of technology and statistical methods in conducting research and program evaluation, assuming basic computer literacy |
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4. Principles, models, and applications of needs assessment, program evaluation, and use of findings to effect program modifications |
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5. Use of research to improve counseling effectiveness |
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6. Ethical and legal considerations |
Technology Skills Addressed in the Course: |
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Instructor Application |
Student Application |
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Check computer system and preview CD-ROM software |
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Word process, including APA formatting |
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Use a spreadsheet and a statistical package |
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Acquire graphics from the web, digital camera, or scanner and insert them into a poster or presentation |
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Create and deliver a power point presentation |
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Find material on the Web and review Web sites |
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Be able to use e-mail, including document attachments |
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Be able to sign in and participate in listservs |
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Be familiar with computerized testing |
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Be able to use audio visual equipment and playback units |
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Required Text:
Bordens, K. S. & Abbott, B .B. (2008). Research design and methods: A process approach (7th
Ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC:
American Psychological Association.
Grading Criteria:
A = 100-90, B = 89-80, C = 79-70
Assignments not submitted when due or not in the assigned format will not earn full points. Those submitted more than three days past the due date will not be accepted. Plagiarism is sufficient grounds for failure for the course. See current Boise State Graduate Catalog for academic regulations and appeal procedures.
Attendance (20 points): You will lose 2.5 points for each class you miss. Arrangements to make up these points can be made with the instructor.
Assignment I (5 points): Tracking weekly events for class exercise. Please see handout.
Journal Article Critique Paper and Presentation (15 points): Select a journal articles that include statistics (select articles of interest to you or that relate to your Project). Submit a copy of the article with a 2-3 page critique and overall evaluation of the article. The article and critique is to be presented in a power-point presentation format (15 minutes).
Midterm Exam (15 Points): The midterm will focus on knowledge of research methodology and will be multiple choice in format.
Final Exam (15 Points): The final will focus on knowledge of statistics and will be multiple choice in format.
Research Project Proposal (30 points): The paper is designed to begin to prepare you for your research project. It should be 8-10 double-spaced pages (not including references). The paper is due Wed June 4. The paper is to include:
Description of Chosen Topic
Literature Review (using Psych Info or other data bases)
Rational for Conducting the Study
Specific, Detailed Research Question/Hypotheses
Participants (age, gender, etc)
Procedure (informed consent, sampling, data collection methods)
Measures/Instrumentation (description of all variables relevant to your hypothesis(es), the
operationalization of your variable(s) including a description of at least one standardized measure including reliability and validity information)
III. Data Analysis Strategies
Descriptive statistics
Inferential statistics
IV. Discussion of Limitations (sampling, internal and external validity problems etc.)
V. References (minimum of 8-10 sources in literature review)
Course Schedule
Research Projects
Research Methods Basics Ch 1 - 3
Evaluating Research
Developing Hypotheses
Experimental and Correlational Research Design Ch 4
May 20 Internal and External Validity
Data Collection: Qualitative and Quantitative Ch 4 - 5
Measurement: Reliability and Validity
Measurement: Scales of Measurement
Types of Dependent Variables
May 21 Observational Research Ch 8
Survey Research Ch 9
Sampling Procedures Ch 6
Experimental Research Ch 10
Human Subjects and Ethical Issues Ch 7
May 27 MIDTERM EXAM
Introduction to Statistics and SPSS Ch 13
Central Tendency and Variability Assignment I Due
(SPSS demonstration/practice)
Normal distribution and Standardization
May 28 Correlations (SPSS demonstration/practice)
Hypothesis Testing Ch 14
Significance Testing
May 2 t-tests (SPSS demonstration/practice) Ch 14 - 15
Analysis of Variance (Univariate and Multivariate) Journal Critique Due
(SPSS demonstration/practice)
Linear Regression
(SPSS demonstration/practice)
May 3 Non-parametric Statistics Ch 14 – 15
(SPSS demonstration/practice)
Counseling Research and Program Evaluation
Article Presentations (8)
May 4 FINAL EXAM
Construction of SPSS Files
Article Presentations (9) Research Paper DUE
Begin project by collecting data daily for the next 7 days (from 5/19 to 5/26) on the following:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
terrible neutral/normal great
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
OR
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
rainy/cold neutral/normal sunny/warm
and create a table such as:
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Weather (or Hours Worked) |
Mood |
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5/19 |
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5/20 |
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5/21 |
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5/22 |
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5/23 |
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5/24 |
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5/25 |
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5/26 |
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Journal Article Critique (15 points)
Read one empirical article (attach article to paper when turn in assignment) in your area of interest and write a 2-3 page paper in APA style evaluating the article. Include the following:
1. Evaluation of the Introduction: definition of the problem, literature review, rationale for conducting the study, the hypothesis, and how well hypothesis generation follows logically from the description of the problem.
2. Evaluation of Methods: adequate sample size, adequate information on procedure (could you replicate?), adequate measures (reliable and valid?)
3. Evaluation of Research Design used: is the design appropriate to research question? if variables were manipulated what were they? What is the IV? The DV?
4. Evaluation of Statistics/Results: are the statistics appropriate to the data and research question?
5. Evaluation of the Discussion: are the results reviewed and incorporated into the current body of literature? discussion of limitations, directions for future research, clinical/practical implications of research.
6. Are there any ethical issues present in this article? If so, were they addressed?