Syllabus (Subject to change during the semester – check WebCT for updates.)

Textbooks

Required reading:

Business Research Methods, Donald R. Cooper and Pamela S. Schindler, McGraw-Hill, 8th edition, 0-07-281979-0

 

Instructor Information

Name:

Elizabeth D. Scott

 

Email:

scotte@easternct.edu (best way to contact me)

 

Office location:

445 Webb Hall

 

Office hours:

Monday 5:00-6:30, Tuesday 4:30-6:30, Wednesday 10:00-11:30 and by appointment

 

Introduction and Library Orientation

Date:

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Students will learn to use the electronic and physical resources available through the ECSU library.

 

Readings:

Due next week: 

Skim chapters 1,2,3,5, and 6 in Business Research Methods.  Read carefully “Making it Personal” on p. 132.

 

Assignments:

HW1 (Available on WebCT)

Visit the text website:  http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072498706/student_view0/

Visit the Stanford Prison Experiment website.  http://www.prisonexp.org/

 

Ethics and Models

Date:

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Discuss the ethical obligations of researchers.

Identify the basic components of causal models and the scientific method.

Discuss library research assignments.

 

Readings:

For next week:  Read Chapters 2 and 7 in Business Research Methods.

Read cases

“Match Wits with Jason,” p. 725,

“Can This Study Be Saved, p. 711, and

A Gem of a Study, p. 705. 

 

Assignments:

HW2

 

Models and Sample Selection

Date:

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Present models found for homework.

Discuss sample selection methods.

Discuss cases.

 

Readings:

For next week:  

Read Chapters 8 and 9 in Business Research Methods. 

 

Assignments:

HW3

 

Measurement and Scaling

Date:

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Learn different methods of measuring variables.

 

Readings:

For next week:  Read Chapters 11 and 12 and the NCR case in Business Research Methods

 

Assignments:

HW4

 

Survey Research

Date:

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Share survey designs with classmates.

Obtain feedback on survey questions.

Ensure survey obtains necessary information for research question.

Discuss NCR case study.

 

Readings:

For next week:  Read Chapters 15 and 16 in Business Research Methods. Review Chapters 11 and 12 and the NCR case in Business Research Methods

 

Assignments:

HW5

 

Web Surveys

Date:

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Compare survey websites.

Discuss problems in web surveys.

Discuss basic statistics.

Calculate NCR case statistics.

 

Readings:

Read chapters 10 and 17 and skim chapters 18 and 19 in Business Research Methods.

 

Assignments:

HW6

 

Statistics

Date:

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Evaluate the use of statistical techniques in various articles.

Use statistical techniques to analyze data.

 

Readings:

Read chapters 18 and 19, the Overdue Bills Case and the Workload Ratings Case in Business Research Methods.

 

Assignments:

HW7

 

Midsemester Cases

Date:

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Discuss Workload Ratings and Overdue Bills Cases

 

Readings:

Read the Performance Evaluation Case and the Rubbergate Case in Business Research Methods.

 

Assignments:

HW8

 

Midsemester Cases

Date:

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Discuss Rubbergate and Performance Evaluation Cases

 

Readings:

Read Chapter 14 and the Xerox Abuses case in Business Research Methods. 

 

Assignments:

HW9

 

Experiment

Date:

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Analyze data in experimental designs

 

Readings:

Read pages 460-463 in Business Research Methods.

 

Find and read the sections on content analysis in at least three of the following articles:

 

1.  MANAGING FROM THE BOUNDARY: THE EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP OF SELF-MANAGING WORK TEAMS ,  By: Druskat, Vanessa Urch, Wheeler, Jane V., Academy of Management Journal, 00014273, Aug2003, Vol. 46, Issue 4

 

2.  Portrayals of Overweight and Obese Individuals on Commercial Television ,  By: Greenberg, Bradley S., Eastin, Matthew, Hofschire, Linda, Lachlan, Ken, Brownell, Kelly D., American Journal of Public Health, 00900036, Aug2003, Vol. 93, Issue 8

 

3.  Analysis of Career Information in Introductory Psychology Textbooks: Methods and Findings ,  By: Anderson, Shawna L., Eiler II, William J. A., Rajecki, D. W., North American Journal of Psychology, 15277143, 2003, Vol. 5, Issue 2

 

4.  GEEZERS, GREED, GRIEF, AND GRAMMAR: FRAME TRANSFORMATION IN THE NURSING HOME REFORM MOVEMENT. By: Ulsperger, Jason S.. Sociological Spectrum, Oct2002, Vol. 22 Issue 4, p385, 22p

 

5.  Espoused Values of Organisations. By: Kabanoff, Boris; Daly, Joseph. Australian Journal of Management, 2002 Special Issue, Vol. 27, p89, 16p, 2 charts, 1 diagram, 4 graphs

 

6.  IMAGES IN WORDS: PRESIDENTIAL RHETORIC, CHARISMA, AND GREATNESS ,  By: Emrich, Cynthia G., Brower, Holly H., Feldman, Jack M., Garland, Howard, University of Delaware, Administrative Science Quarterly, 00018392, Sep2001, Vol. 46, Issue 3

 

7.  THE USE OF HUMOR TO MASK DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING. By: Shabbir, Haseeb; Thwaites, Des. Journal of Advertising, Summer2007, Vol. 36 Issue 2, p75-85, 11p

 

8.  CRAFTING SOCIAL ISSUES AT WORK. By: Sonenshein, Scott. Academy of Management Journal, Dec2006, Vol. 49 Issue 6, p1158-1172, 15

9.  THE SYMBOLIC MANAGEMENT OF STRATEGIC CHANGE: SENSEGIVING VIA FRAMING AND DECOUPLING. By: Fiss, Peer C.; Zajac, Edward J.. Academy of Management Journal, Dec2006, Vol. 49 Issue 6, p1173-1193, 21p

 

Assignments:

HW10

 

Content Analysis

Date:

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Apply content analysis techniques.

 

Readings:

Read pages 323-332 in your text.

Read the methodology section of one of the following articles:

Constraints and Opportunities with Interview Transcription:Towards Reflection in Qualitative Research, Daniel G.Oliver, Julianne M.Serovich, Tina L.Mason Social Forces, Volume 84, Number 2, December 2005

 

Factors Influencing the Physically Active Leisure of Children and Youth: A Qualitative Study, Angela M.Thompson, Laurene A.Rehman, M. Louise Humbert, LeisureSciences, 27:421ñ438, 2005

 

High-Performing (and Threshold) Competencies for Group Facilitators, JEAN-ANNE STEWART, Journal of Change Management, Vol.6, No.4, 417ñ439, December2006

 

Mainstreaming Corporate Social Responsibility: Developing Markets For Virtue. By: Berger, Ida E.; Cunningham, Peggy; Drumwright, Minette E.. California Management Review, Summer2007, Vol. 49 Issue 4, p132-157, 26p

 

Assignments:

HW11

 

Interview

Date:

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Evaluate interviews.

 

Readings:

None

 

Assignments:

HW12

 

Participant Observation

Date:

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Discuss observational studies.

 

Readings:

Read Chapter 13. 

 

Assignments:

HW13

 

Observational Studies

Date:

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Review microethnography.

 

Readings:

Read Chapter 20 in your text

 

Assignments:

HW14

 

Writing About Research

Date:

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

 

Objectives or Goals:

Apply writing techniques.