Dec 02, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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TC 261 - Research Methods

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
This course will introduce students to the basics of the scientific method of conducting primary research. Research methods and design will be explained and techniques for gathering information will be explored. (prereq: EN 132 )
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Understand scholarly research
  • Utilize the tools of research, including the library and computers
  • Recognize the importance of clearly defining the problem for research study
  • Understand the methods of conducting research
  • Design a survey questionnaire
  • Design interviews and telephone surveys

Prerequisites by Topic
  • Elements of technical writing
  • Defining audiences
  • Organization of formal reports
  • Readability guidelines
  • How to formulate questions
  • Methods fo collecting information

Course Topics
  • Course Introduction (1 class)
  • Defining research (2 classes)
  • Tools-library, computer (2 classes)
  • Defining the problem (2 classes)
  • Reviewing the literature (2 classes)
  • Planning the project (2 classes)
  • Writing proposals (1 class)
  • Organizing research information (1 class)
  • Historical method (1 class)
  • Descriptive surveys (2 classes)
  • Analytical surveys (2 classes)
  • Designing questions (2 classes)
  • Designing questionaires (2 classes)
  • Survey interviewing (2 classes)
  • Telephone surveys (1 class)
  • Ethics in survey methods (1 class)
  • Experimental methods (1 class)
  • Presenting the results (3 classes)

Coordinator
R. David Kent



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