COURSE OUTLINE

Course

Understanding Research (2015-2016)

Code / Version RSCH73000 (100)

Total Hours

45

Credits

PreRequisite(s)
CoRequisite(s)
Course Description
This course will present an overview of social scientific methods. The course will address the major components of the research process,
including development of theoretically informed hypotheses, implementation of theoretical concepts, development of data collection
instruments, testing of hypotheses through data analysis, and the presentation of research results. The student will develop the skills
necessary to read and critically analyze social science research and discuss the ethics of social research.
PLAR Eligible: Yes

Course Outcomes
Successful completion of this course will enable the student to:
1.

Describe the nature and tools of research

2.

Understand the dynamic relationship between theory and research.

3.

Identify strategies for choosing and refining a research problem

4.

Discuss the importance of a literature review

5.

Critically examine the reliability and validity of research papers.

6.

Develop a plan for a research project

7.

Describe essential ethical considerations in conducting research related to human subjects as per the Tri-Council Policy Statement 2

8.

Examine Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Designs for Research

9.

Select research methods and techniques appropriate to the study of the problem

10. Prepare a discipline-focused research proposal in accordance with the student's academic and/or vocational interests

Essential Employability Skills addressed in this course

Taught Reinforced Assessed

Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the

written, spoken, and visual form that fulfills the purpose
and meets the needs of the audience

Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a

manner that ensures effective communication

Numeracy

Execute mathematical operations accurately

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Apply a systematic approach to solve problems

Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve

problems

Locate, select, organize, and document information using

appropriate technology and information systems

Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a

variety of sources

Show respect for the diverse opinions, values, belief

systems, and contributions of others

Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that

contribute to effective working relationships and the
achievement of goals

Communication

Information Management

Interpersonal

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COURSE OUTLINE
Course

Understanding Research (2015-2016)

Code / Version RSCH73000 (100)

Essential Employability Skills addressed in this course
Personal

Taught Reinforced Assessed

Manage the use of time and other resources to complete

projects

Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and

consequences

Unit Outcomes
Successful completion of the following units will enable the student to:
1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

Introduction
1.1

Define the term research

1.2

Describe the research process

1.3

Discuss the philosophical assumptions which underpin research methodologies including positivism and postpositivism

1.4

Distinguish between methodology and methods

1.5

Discuss the importance of theories and paradigms in research

1.6

Identify strategies for choosing and refining a research problem

1.7

Write a clear statement of a problem for research

The Literature Review

2.1

Describe the purposes of a literature review

2.2

Identify sources of literature pertinent to the research problem

2.3

Describe how to critically evaluate a research article

2.4

Identify ways to organize and sythnesize literature into a review

Planning a Research Project

3.1

Describe the nature and role of data in research

3.2

Distinguish between primary and secondary data

3.3

Contrast quantitative and qualitative methodologies, processes, data analysis and reporting

3.4

Describe general characteristics of common research methodologies

3.5

Describe measurement strategies and types of measurement scales

3.6

Discuss the importance of validity and reliability in measurement

Ethics
4.1

Restate the key requirements of the Tri-Council Policy Statement 2 and ethics in social scientific research

4.2

Identify the roles of ethical codes, REBs and policy in research.

4.3

Describe ethical issues in research projects.

4.4

Identify the required steps to ensure voluntary participation in research as per TCPS2.

4.5

Explain the importance of confidentiality and anonymity

4.6

Describe the required processes to ensure no harm to participants.

Research Designs
5.1

Describe the characteristics of a research proposal

5.2

Outline sections of research proposals

5.3

Discuss conceptualization and operationalization

5.4

Explore influences of units of analysis.

5.5

Describe the steps of research project design

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Course

Understanding Research (2015-2016)

Code / Version RSCH73000 (100)

5.6
6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

Describe common weaknesses in research proposals

Quantitative Methodology
6.1

Describe the general types and characteristics of quantitative research methodologies

6.2

Assess appropriate use of quantitative methodology.

6.3

Explain the concept of correlation

6.4

Describe the use of surveys

6.5

Discuss question design, structure and collection methods for surveys

6.6

Explore the construction of questionnaires

6.7

Distinguish between indexes, scales and typologies

6.8

Describe sampling designs

Experiments
7.1

Describe the structure of experiments

7.2

Discuss the importance of the concept of control

7.3

Identify examples of independent and dependent variables

7.4

Discuss potential biases in experimental design

Qualitative Methodologies
8.1

Define key terms

8.2

Describe general characteristics and purposes of qualitative research methodologies

8.3

Explore the role of theory with qualitative methods

8.4

Define field research methods

8.5

Explore qualitative interviewing

8.6

Explore question construction for qualitative methods

8.7

Identify sources of data for historical research

8.8

Discuss the validity and reliability of qualitative data collection methods

Data Analysis
9.1

Describe strategies for organizing data sets to reveal patterns

9.2

Discuss the importance and functions of statistics

9.3

Describe means of quantifying data

9.4

Explore elementary statistics

9.5

Explore the role of theory with qualitative data analysis.

9.6

Describe strategies to organize and analyse qualitative data

9.7

Assess coding and memoing in qualitative work

9.8

Describe practical applications of using technology(ies) for data collection and analysis

Mixed-Methods
10.1

Identify situations where mixed-methods designs are useful

10.2

Describe common mixed-methods designs

10.3

Describe effective strategies for conducting mixed-methods research

Required Student Resources

Paul D. Leedy and Jeanne Ellis Ormrod. Practical Research Planning and Design (11th Edition) (2016). Pearson.
Tri-Council Policy Statement 2.

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Understanding Research (2015-2016)

Code / Version RSCH73000 (100)

https://tcps2core.ca/welcome

Optional Student Resources

Evaluation
The minimum passing grade for this course is 60 (C).
In order to successfully complete this course, the student is required to meet the following evaluation criteria:
In-Class Unit Exercises (10 x 1%)

10.00

Tri-Council Policy Statement 2 Certificate

5.00

Mid-Term Test

20.00

Literature Review

15.00

Research Proposal

30.00

Final Exam

20.00
100.00 %

Other
Conestoga College is committed to providing academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Please contact the
Accessibility Services Office.

Prepared By

Anne Charles Ph.D.

School

Liberal Studies

Date

2015-07-27

2015-10-31

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