Time Schedule:
Craig W. Thomas
PB AF 599
Seattle Campus
Study and analysis of special topics in public affairs. Topics vary each quarter depending on curricular needs and interests of students and faculty.
Class description
THIS COURSE PROVIDES A RIGOROUS FOUNDATION FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH DESIGN. IT INTRODUCES ICONIC TYPES OF THEORY (PREDICTIVE, INTERPRETIVE AND EXPLANATORY) AND THE PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS UNDERLYING THESE. IT ALSO REVIEWS A RANGE OF METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO RESEARCH: EXPERIMENTAL AND QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL, STATISTICAL AND QUASI-STATISTICAL, COMPARATIVE CASE-STUDY, ETHNOGRAPHIC AND TRIANGULATION.
Student learning goals
INTRODUCE GRADUATE STUDENTS TO BASIC ISSUES IN RESEARCH METHODS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES.
RECOGNIZE THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF A WIDE VARIETY OF METHODS, INCLUDING TRADE-OFFS INVOLVED WHEN CHOOSING AMONG METHODS.
RECOGNIZE THE TYPES OF METHODS APPROPRIATE FOR ADDRESSING PARTICULAR RESEARCH QUESTIONS.
DESIGN A RESEARCH PROJECT IN A DISSERTATION PROSPECTUS OR GRANT PROPOSAL.
IDENTIFY METHODOLOGICAL STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IN PUBLISHED RESEARCH IN STUDENT'S FIELDS OF INTEREST.
General method of instruction
PRIMARILY IN-CLASS DISCUSSION, SUPPLEMENTED WITH LECTURES AND STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
Recommended preparation
NO PREREQUISITES. DOCTORAL STUDENTS PREFERRED.
Class assignments and grading
WEEKLY READINGS, TERM PROJECT, AND SHORT ASSIGNMENTS.
DEMONSTRATED UNDERSTANDING OF ASSIGNED READINGS.
