CCJ 4700: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS Instructor: Marc G.

Gertz Office: Phone: Email: Office Hours: 312 Hecht House 644-7382 mgertz@mailer.fsu.edu 7:30-9:15, 11:00-12:15, 2:00-3:00 TR

Assistants: E-mail: Office: Office Hours:

William Hauser 312 Hecht House TR 10:45- 12:15

wjh4972@fsu.edu

COURSE OBJECTIVES This course is designed to provide an introduction to social science research methods as applied to Criminology and Criminal Justice. The course will introduce the student to the research process, as well as a variety of different data collection techniques used in criminological research. Students will be required both to critically examine current research in the field as well as develop their own research ideas. REQUIRED TEXTS Babbie, E. The Practice of Social Research, 11th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. Hoover, K. and Donovan, T. The Elements of Social Scientific Thinking, 8th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1. Two Projects 2. SPSS Computer Project 3. Three Exams 100 pts 100 pts 300 pts 500 pts

Make-up exams will only be given with a university approved written excuse. Please make an effort to notify the instructor as soon as you know you will be unable to attend an exam. Makeups will be entirely essay in format. All projects are due at the beginning of your assigned class time. Late projects will be graded for half credit unless a legitimate written excuse is provided.

Extra credit assignments will not be given on an individual basis. Some opportunities for extra credit may be made available to the class as a whole at the discretion of the instructor. Failing this course is not a legitimate reason for a grade of incomplete. Incomplete grades will not be given unless there is a legitimate reason why you cannot complete the required work during the term. Academic Honor Code: The Florida State University Honor Code will be adhered to and enforced. Specific honor code violations, both personal and academic, can be found in the University Bulletin. Violations will be prosecuted. Students with Disabilities: If any member of the class feels that he or she has a disability, please advise the instructor of such disability and desired accommodations by the end of the first week of class or as soon as you have written documentation. The instructor will work with you and the Student Disability Resource Center to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in the class. Calendar: Week 1 January 9: January 11: Week 2 January 16 18: Intro to Course Peer Reviewed Journals; Library Project

Logic, Science & Common Sense

Logic, Science, and Common Sense: Values and Problems a. Science and Common Sense: The Concept of Falsifiability b. Measurement Problem: The Gap Between Theory and Research c. Value Freedom Controversy Readings: Babbie, Chapter 1 Hoover & Donovan, Chapters 1 & 2

Week 3 January 23 25: Purpose, Functions & Methods of Science library project due January 25 Purpose, Functions, and Methods of Science a. Purpose of Research b. Functions of Science c. Scientific Approach and Scientific Revolutions d. Problems of Criminology as Science: Ability to Generalize

Readings:

Babbie, Chapter 2, Appendix A

Week 4 January 30 February 1:

Problem Selection

Problem Selection and Hypothesis Formation - Research Design a. Concepts and Variables b. Hypothesis Formation c. Unit of Analysis d. Research Design Readings: Babbie, Chapter 4 Hoover & Donovan, Chapters 3 & 4

Week 5 February 6 - 8:

Issues in Measurement

Issues in Measurement a. Conceptualization and Operationalization b. Reliability and Validity c. Levels of Measurement Readings: Week 6 February 13: February 15: Week 7 February 20: NO REGULAR CLASS TEST 1 Babbie, Chapter 5 Hoover & Donovan, Chapter 5

Reading Tables & Elaboration

Reading Tables and Elaboration a. Criteria for Causation b. Cell Frequencies, Marginals, Percentagizing Tables c. Control Variables d. Zero-Order and First-Order Tables e. Spurious Associations Readings: Babbie, Chapter 15

February 22: Basic Consumer Stats Basic Consumer Statistics a. Measures of Central Tendency b. Frequencies and Percentages c. Ratio, Rate, and Proportion d. Normal Distribution and Normal Curve Readings: Week 8 February 27: March 1: Week 9 Spring Break Week 10 March 13: Readings: March 15: Babbie, Chapters 14 & 16

Reading Tables & Elaboration Reading Tables & Elaboration

No Regular Class

Survey Research Babbie, Chapter 9 Sampling a. Population b. Probability and Non-Probability Samples Babbie, Chapter 7

Readings: Week 11 March 20: March 22: Week 12 March 27:

TEST 2 SPSS 1

Unobtrusive Measures, Secondary Analysis, & Official Stats Survey Project Due SPSS 2

March 29:

Week 13 April 3: Readings: April 5: Week 14 April 10: April 12:

Participant Observation & Qualitative Methods Babbie, Chapter 10 NO REGULAR CLASS

SPSS 3 Experimental Designs

Experimental Designs a. Classical Design b. Problems with Experiments c. Field Experiments Readings: Babbie, Chapters 8 & 12

Week 15 April 17: Ethics Ethics in Research SPSS project due Readings: April 19: Babbie, Chapters 3 & 17 Hoover & Donovan, Chapter 6 Review & Wrap up

April 23-27, 2007 Final Examination Week