CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY - POMONA POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT PLS205/205A Introduction to Research Method Syllabus

Office Phone: 909 869-3879 Fax: (909) 869-6995 E-mail: smemerson@csupomona.edu

Office Hours: Mon. 3-4 pm, Thurs. 9:00-10:00 and Sat. 1:30 -3:30

Course Objective and Resources:

Powermutt is a system developed by Dr. John Korey that integrates topics about the scientific method with areas of interest for political science students. These materials have been developed specifically for PLS 205. The written discussions provided under Topics are augmented with data sets, code books , exercises and on-line resources to guide and support student understanding and mastery of research methods and techniques.

The objective is to empower students to:

• define a viable research question, understand the tools available for exploring these questions and
• understand how statistical tools may be used to describe, infer, predict and/or model relationships that are of interest to the researcher.
  
  The faculty has endeavored to build materials, lectures and resources that will not only make research doable but interesting for students as well.

Course Procedures:

There are reading assignments for each week.

The pace of the class may not always be synchronized with the assignments. You need to keep current with the readings and review the material before the week's work begins. The reading assignments are the basis for the class work.

The class uses a hands-on, learning- by- doing- approach. The faculty is responsible for providing an appropriate foundation, introducing some initial questions and concepts that will serve as a basis for exploration and discussion.

The student's role is to try out the resources provided and to question and explore the resources provided.

Students are responsible for all information presented in each class meeting . This includes substantial course material and procedural matters such as changes in schedules, assignments, etc.

Download the rules and requirements of the class and submit your signed copy by the end of week 1.

Grades
Grades are based on a scale of 100.

100-95= A;	94-90=A-
89-87 =B+	86-83=B	82-80=B-
79-77 =C+;	76-73=C	72-70=C-
69-67 =D+	66-63=D	62-60=D-	Below 60 = F

Required Materials:

Korey, John 2006. Powermutt Primer (Politically Oriented Web Enhanced Research Methods for Undergraduates--Topics and Tools) Available to students through Cal Poly Copy Center for a nominal cost. SPSS

Software is available to you at the Computer Lab and on Saturday afternoons in 1-317.

SPSS offers software options at the website www.e-academy.com where you can "lease/rent" the software for a limited period of time. If you wish to utilize the lease option contact SPSS sales directly at 1-800-543-2185. Otherwise you may use the 1-317 lab for free each Friday. However, the student needs to elect one option or the other.

DATA SETS: anes04s, anespanl, countries, gss02scums, gsscums.sav, house, senate,and states are on line.

Course Requirements:

* Please maintain a copy of ALL assignments submitted for a grade.

Schedule of Class Sessions