Maryland in Europe Bowie State University-

PUAD 502: Qualitative Research Methods

David R. J. Kenyatta, JD, Ph.D.- Lecturer

Term I (22 August to 12 October 2000) Monday and Wednesday Evenings (1845 to 2130- Heidelberg)

Tentative

Required:

1. Texts

Leedy, Paul D and Jeanne E. Ormrod Practical Research: Planning and Design (7th Ed.). New York: Macmillan. 1993.

Marshall, Catherine and Gretchen B Rossman. Designing Qualitative Research (3rd Ed.). London: Sage 199?

2. Additional readings will be assigned.

a) General Purpose site: - http://www.ceoexpress.com

b) UMUC Web Database Resources: - http://umuc.edu/library/ols.html

c) Qualitative Research Web Sites: http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/web.html

d) Qualitative Research in Information Systems: - http://www.auckland.ac.nz/msis/isworld/

e) APA Reference Format: - http://www.apa.org/journals/webref.html

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should:

1. demonstrate practical skills for conducting original research and evaluating critically the research of others

2. evidence a developed ability to interpret research

3. review scholarly literature and write solid synopses of the arguments presented by scholars in that literature

4. exhibit skills in defining, constructing, formulating, designing, and conducting a sound research project;

5. distinguish between qualitative and quantitative methodologies, as well as be capable of explaining the relative value and utility of each.

 Course Requirements: As this is a graduate level course, there are certain standards that will be applied during the course of this class.

·        Students must read all required reading prior to the date of the class session.

·        All students must interact with all other students with respect and consideration, but not with deference. Free and open exchanges are expected and encouraged.

·        Students must complete all assignments on time. Failure to do so will result in a penalty for that student, or in the case of a group project, the entire group.

All of the above will be appraised at 11% of your final grade. The student will be expected also to complete the following:

1.      Three one page submissions concerning an experimental operation conducted between sessions. Each will be valued at 3% of the final grade.

2.      At least one short paper (five pages or less) on the latest US News and World Report assessment of Colleges and Universities- (http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/corank.htm). This paper will be valued at 10% of the student final grade.

3.      One examination, essay in nature, will be administered no later than the 7^th week of class. More about the nature of the exam will be presented after the first six weeks. This will count for 30% of the final grade.

4.      One large paper (maximum of 25 pages) consisting of an intense investigation of a single research topic must be submitted. More information will be provided later in the course. This paper will account for 40% of the final grade.

 READING ASSIGNMENTS :

Because of the nature of this course, it is difficult to conduct any activity without a fundamental understanding of the basics of research methodology. Therefore, it is necessary that the student read both of the required texts early in the course and by no means later than the fourth week of class so that all subsequent communications will have meaning. Ergo, the initial assignment will be to read both texts. The first text (Practical Research) must be read completely by the second full week of classes (4 September 2000).

The second text, Designing Qualitative Research, must be completed by the beginning of the fourth week of class (25 September 2000). Do not fear. There will be plenty to entertain you beyond this point.

Week One

-                     Read Chapters 1,2,3,7,9 and 10- Leedy

-                     Rapid Appraisal and Beyond- Beebe (1995) (Online)

Week Three

-                     Additional Readings will be assigned.

Week Five

-                     Additional Readings will be assigned.

Week Six

Additional readings will be provided later in the course.

86-100

A

76-85

B

70-75

C

Below 69

F

OFFICE HOURS: The instructor will be available for one hour before and one-half hour after each class session. In addition, the instructor welcomes questions and comments communicated via email

Email Addresses:

Please use the following email addresses as appropriate:

dkenyatt@faculty.ed.umuc.edu [for messages address to the instructor alone]

dkenyatt@ed.umuc.edu [for administrative matters linked to the instructor's administrative duties]

DrKenyatta@compuserve.com [for emergencies ONLY!]

Drkenyatta@hotmail.com [when the instructor is TDY]

Instructor Profile: David R. J. Kenyatta, AB, College of the Holy Cross- psychology; MA, The Ohio State University- Student Personnel Work and Counseling Psychology; MS, The Pennsylvania State University- Organizational Behavior; Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University- Higher Education; JD, University of Baltimore- Labor and Employment Law. Member of the Baltimore, Maryland and American Bar Associations. Has worked in a variety of academic and student affairs positions within higher education for the past 20 years, including financial aid director, housing coordinator, assistant dean of a business and management school and assistant professor of management and counseling. Has extensive background in substance abuse counseling and human resource development training. Areas of professional interest: policies that affect labor and employment practices in higher education institutions; system construction in non-profit organizations. Avid movie, television, and Shakespearean buff. Also enjoys mystery writers, particularly the works of Sue Rogers Cooper, Agatha Christie, and Robert Parker.

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