Course Syllabus Dr. David M. Piper
ILR
619 Research Methods in Industrial and Labor Relations
Stone,
Eugene: Research Methods in
Organizational Behavior. Scott
Foresman and Company, 1978. Glenview,
Illinois.
ProPacket
package for ILR619 ( @ Professional Packet,
1176 Grant Street, Indiana, PA)
SPSS
Manual - TBA
Other
readings as assigned.
The
objective of this course is to provide graduate students with an introductory
course in research methods generally used in behavior sciences. The focus of the course will be the specific
application of research methodology to the field of Industrial and Labor
Relations. The goals of the course will
be to provide students with the basic knowledge needed to effectively evaluate
research studies, to understand the process of research development, and to
develop and execute a sample research project.
The
course will be divided into two main components. The first component will focus on the research process and the
second component will focus on statistics analysis. During the first half of the course the student will focus on the
research process. This will include the
development of a research project that follows the empirical research
cycle. The student will formulate a set
of questions that will be addressed by the project, develop a hypotheses that
the student plans to test, and design a strategy that will address the validity
of the hypotheses.
The
second half of the course will focus on statistical analysis. The student will study and use the SPSS
statistical package. The student will
develop a model that can be used to obtain quantitative data. The student will then use SPSS and interpret
common statistical information. The
student will then learn how to use statistical tests to answer research questions. By the end of the course, the student will
have developed and executed a model of a comprehensive research project
The course will consist of lectures,
class discussion, assigned projects and hands-on use of statistical
applications. Thorough preparation for
and participation in each class session is expected. During each class session, students will be required to apply
what they have learned in an exercise that will be given during class. These exercises will provide the student
with a hands-on experience that will reinforce the subject material. As a result, attendance to each class is
crucial.
Evaluation
will be defined as follows:
10% Class participation, which include class
exercises.
30% Research Proposal
30% 10%
Measurement Method Proposal
20% Quantitative Project
30% Final Research Project
Grading
will be done by percentiles (A = 90-100%, B = 80-90%, etc).
The
deadline for submitting course requirements is the due date specified on the
syllabus. Assignments submitted after
the deadline will be accepted but will be penalized one letter grade (10%)
except in cases of serious personal illness or injury or other unusual
circumstances discussed with the instructor in advance. Except for bona fide emergencies or unusual
circumstances requiring arrangements mutually agreed upon between the student
and instructor in advance of the due date, no assignment will be accepted for
evaluation once evaluated assignments have been returned to the class.
David.Piper@iup.edu
IUP
office phone: 724.357.4470 and
department Fax: 724.357.1292
DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENTS
Week
1 Introduction to
Organizational Research
Chapter 1
Week
2 The Research Process
Chapter 2
Week
3 Measurement and Properties
of Measures
Chapter 3
Week
4 Methods of Measurement
Chapter
4
Week
5 Sampling
Chapter 5
Week
6 Research Design
Chapter 6
Week
7 Introduction to Statistical
Methods Research Proposal Due
Week
8 Statistics – Using
Statistics in HR
Week
9 Introduction to SPSS –
Creating Variables,
Entering Data – Calculating
Central
Tendencies
Week
10 Independent Research for
Final Research Measurement Method Due
Project
Week
11 Using SPSS
Week
12 Using SPSS
Week
13 Interpreting SPSS Quantitative Project Due
Week
14 Developing a Research Study.
Week
15 [last] Final Exam Week Final Research Project Due