Final Exam

II. TEXTBOOKS AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Textbooks and Course Materials: Practical Research: Planning and Design

Author: Paul Leedy and Jeanne Ellis Ormrod, 2nd Custom Edition for CMU

ISBN: 978-1-323-47479-2

Publisher: Pearson Required: Yes

III. COURSE DESCRIPTION

An introduction to research methods designed to build the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct and interpret primary research in the field of administration.

IV. COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

After successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Determine administrative issues and topics that can be researched within the private, public and not-for profit sectors.

2. Identify, collect, evaluate, and synthesize research and professional literature to draw and support conclusions and make recommendations.

3. Identify, evaluate, and synthesize research data to draw and support conclusions and make recommendations.

4. Effectively and concisely communicate research findings, conclusions and recommendations to others in written form using standard written English (grammar, spelling, sentence structure, syntax etc.) and following American Psychological Association (APA) format.

5. Effectively and concisely present research findings, conclusions and recommendations to others in oral form using appropriate visual aids and/or presentation software.

6. Demonstrate an understanding of research methodologies by developing a practice research proposal that may or may not be applicable to the student’s MSA capstone project (instructors and students should be aware of the multiple submission policy found in the Academic Integrity Policy).

7. Demonstrate an applied knowledge of the APA style and format.

V. METHODOLOGY

This course is taught through a mix of discussion, lecture, and individual & group assignment. All materials, except the textbook, are available on the Blackboard course site.

Course responsibilities are organized around (1) lectures, (2) readings, (3) research process in Administration (4) group work and discussions, (5) writing an individual research proposal, and (6) taking a final examination.

The content is designed to provide a broad and comprehensive understanding of how research is conducted and will be useful for many of your core and concentration classes. Emphasis is on the overall research process and includes a variety of diverse topics including selecting a research topic, conducting a scholarly literature review, developing an understanding of basic versus applied research, executing a research plan/methodology, analyzing research data, synthesizing literature, developing data analysis into a cohesive summary and set of conclusions coupled with recommendations. You will also learn how to use the APA style in your writing.

Students must be actively involved throughout the entire class in order to successfully complete course requirements. Assignments require that you read text chapters, participate in a group project, and develop an individual research proposal and submit it for instructor review at designated times throughout the course.

Please note that the course textbook is used as a collective reading activity in class.

VI. COURSE OUTLINE/ASSIGNMENTS

Pre-Class Assignment:

Review syllabus within the Blackboard shell, obtain course text and commence reading. You are responsible for understanding and complying with course requirements and expectations.

Course Outline:

This is an online course. A week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday in this course. Most assignments/tasks are due by the end of the assigned week unless otherwise specified and/or announced. You should make sure you know when assignments are due. All references to time are U.S. Eastern Standard/Daylight Times (EST).

Assignment Due Dates:

Course assignments are detailed in the Assignments section in the Blackboard website. All assignments have due dates. Late submissions will be reduced 15% per day. No submission will be accepted after the last day of course session. No makeups or post evaluation resubmissions--unless I specifically request a resubmission.

There are four major categories of assignments:

1. Final Exam (150 points) Due End of Week 8.

The final exam will include objective questions (multiple choice and true/false). Exams must be taken during the identified window of availability.

2. Research Papers (450 points total)

This is an individual research effort where each student selects a topic and submits it for. Research Papers is a five-part assignment; three main papers, an annotated bibliography, and a presentation on the subject.

· Paper 1 Defining a Research Challenge (125 points): Due End of Week 3

· Paper 2 Annotated Bibliography (125 points): Due End of Week 5

· Paper 3 A Literature Review (125 points): Due End of Week 5

· Paper 4 Explaining a Research Methodology (125 points): Due End of Week 6

· Paper 5 Final Paper Submission (50 points): Week 7

3. Discussion Board: (50 for each forum, 300 points total)

Weeks 1 through 6 within the Blackboard shell. Students are expected to attend and participate in the dialog. Discussion should be based upon personal experience and reading assignments. Sharing information leads to new ideas, and the best way for us to learn is from each other. To that end, each week has an associated discussion board/forum folder in the course shell. Post a response to each week’s question, and start conversations with your peers. Points are earned for responding to each discussion forum and for replying to fellow participants.

The purpose of the discussion board is to generate conversation about relevant topics within a forum of respect. Post your response to each discussion question no later than Wednesday of each week, and respond to other class members’ postings by the Sunday of the week. Learn from each other! Note that no points will be earned for discussion responses posted after the week’s end, (Sunday 11:59 PM).

Post-Class Assignment:

The final submitted proposal is NOT intended as the accepted proposal for either the MSA698 or MSA699 Capstone projects. The monitor or the MSA698 or MSA699 Capstone course will provide the requirements for acceptable proposal requirements.

Student Involvement Hours:

Please anticipate approximately 2 hours of preparation time for each discussion/collaborate task . In addition, work on the group project should take about 4 hours, and the research papers should take about 10-15 hours to complete.

VII. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION

Evaluation Criteria:

Exam: One exam is given during the course. The exam will be evaluated based on accuracy, precision, and clarity. The final exam is cumulative.

Research Papers: Includes an annotated bibliography and presentation. All papers are to follow APA format and the student must keep a copy for their records. Written and constructed to graduate level use of language (includes grammar), demonstrating a research typology approach to one of the broad topics of the course. These papers should demonstrate recognition and formulation of a problem dealing with research methods in administration, exhibit collection of data obtained through observation, experimentation, or research. Papers are an applied activity that requires students to apply what they have learned in class to real-world research activities. A bibliography should be provided and contain non-internet citations. Papers will range in length from 3 to 10 pages, although lengths will vary depending on topics. A total of at least 10 sources should be included.

Specific Criteria are as follows:

Paper 1) Definition of the Issue/Problem

· Sets out problem and purpose of the research

· Includes Introduction, Problem Statement, Purpose of the Study, Research Objectives/Questions, Scope/Limitations/Delimitations

Papers 2 and 3) Annotated Bibliography/Literature Review

· Utilizes and synthesizes current, relevant, and credible sources sufficient in number to create the context for the problem and to demonstrate understanding of the problem/issue

· NOTE: The Annotated Bibliography will be explained in detail in Blackboard.

Paper 4) Methodology

· Distinguishes typology being used and clearly identifies what data are needed to answer the research questions.

· Explains in detail methods that will be used to collect and analyze the data

· Includes all methodological details appropriate to the typology (e.g., for surveys, describes population, sample, randomization)

Overall Requirements for Papers:

· References – 10 total to be used across all three papers

· Data collection instruments, consent forms, and permission letter understanding if applicable will be in appendices

· Writing/Formatting: Reflects APA style, references cited in text and listed in references according to APA Style

· Demonstrates control of syntax, grammar, coherence, paragraphs are focused and connected with transitions

· Plagiarism rules apply to the paper.

Final Proposal:

· Needed revisions made.

· All criteria from previous chapter submissions are met.

Discussion Boards:

Weeks 1 through 6 within the Blackboard shell. Students are expected to attend and participate in the dialog. Discussion should be based upon personal experience and reading assignments. Sharing information leads to new ideas, and the best way for us to learn is from each other. To that end, each week has an associated discussion board/forum folder in the course shell. Post a response to each week’s question, and start conversations with your peers. Points are earned for responding to each discussion forum and for replying to fellow participants.

Up to 15 points will be earned for each substantive response to the initial discussion board post. to the main discussion question. You must respond to two separate posts from your fellow students, for each you will received 5 points. Each week is worth 50 points total.

The purpose of the discussion board is to generate conversation about relevant topics within a forum of respect. Post your response to each discussion question no later than Wednesday of each week, and respond to other class members’ postings by the Sunday of the week. Learn from each other! Note that no points will be earned for discussion responses posted after the week’s end, (Sunday 11:59 PM).

Grading Scale: Course activities will be graded as follows:

Research Papers 550 pts.

[Papers 1~ 4 125 points each

Final Submission 50 points]

Final Exam 150 pts.

Discussion Board (6 at 50 points each) 300 pts.

TOTAL: 950 Points

Grading Scale:

A 94-100%, 940 to 1,000 points A- 90-93.9%, 900 to 939 points B+ 88-89.9%, 880 to 899 points B 82-87.9%, 820 to 879 points B- 80-81%, 800 to 819 points C+ 78-79%, 780 to 799 points C 72-77%, 720 to 779 points E < 72%, 719 or below

NOTE: CMU does not employ C- or D grades

Late Assignments (LATE WORK POLICY):

Work submitted after the due date will be reduced 15% per day; no submission will be accepted after last day of the course i.e. Friday of Week 8 11:59 PM. You are responsible for ensuring assignments are submitted on time and that your submission is received. Assignment submission is via the Assignment section on the Blackboard. Verification of assignment submission is an exclamation mark (!) in respective assignment area in Gradebook. Submissions are to be in MS Word put all your work into one-word document. Multiple file submissions will be returned for resubmission as a single file, if the resubmit is after the due date the submission will be considered as a late submission. Exams must be taken within the schedule identified above. Failure to do so eliminates the opportunity to submit Scores will be posted on the website under Gradebook--if a score is missing or entered incorrectly let me know. You should review your grades at least once a week.

Make-ups and Rewrites:

All due consideration will be given to working students. Missed exam, and presentations will be scheduled on a time available bases. Documents submitted that do not conform to graduate college-level work will be returned with comments pointing out deficiencies.

VIII. EXPECTATIONS

Attendance and Participation:

Students are expected to attend all classes for the full time. Absences due to personal choice will impact the grade received for the course.

You are expected to participate in the course with me and group members, by reading assigned material(s), supplying comments during discussions in a timely fashion and participating in the group project. Students are expected to effectively maintain email communication and check the Course Website at levels that ensure timely awareness of courses requirements and expectations - no exceptions.

Contact the instructor via e-mail if there are any questions if there is a concern that cannot wait. Phone meetings can be arranged as required.

Expect many different instructional methodologies, including technology-based instruction, online discussion forums and presentations, video lectures, and web-based resource access.

Be familiar with the current software protocols for interactive online activities.

Lively discussions make for lively learning. It is expected that students will demonstrate mutual respect to one another during discussions. Given the passion that surrounds certain administrative issues, care should be taken to stay to the point at hand. Under no circumstances will personal demeaning discourse be acceptable.

Netiquette:

This is the communication courtesy code. All members of the class are expected to follow rules of common courtesy in all email messages, and threaded discussions. Respect each other in the discussion board.

Following are a few tips for appropriate communications and “etiquette.”

1) Use a descriptive subject line that reflects the topic.

2) Use your name in all correspondence.

3) Avoid abbreviations.

4) Use spell check before posting comments.

5) Use a positive and scholastically cheerful tone.

6) Use upper and lower case letters. All uppercase means you are shouting.

7) Write in short paragraphs; this makes things easier for the readers.

8) Understand that inappropriate communications will result in a lower overall grade.

Instructor Responsibilities and Expectations:

As your instructor, I will serve as your educational guide, learning partner and industry resource. My goal is to help students succeed and my expectation is that mutual respect, responsibility and proactive communications are important. Throughout this course, I encourage student questions, resource sharing and course feedback.

Students can expect the following of this instructor:

1) Instructor contact information is listed in the course syllabus. You may contact me anytime by email.

2) I will respond to emails within 24 hours on Mondays through Fridays and within 36 hours on the weekend unless there are situations beyond my control, e.g. loss of electrical power.

3) Evaluations will be conducted and grades will be posted in a timely manner. All grades will be posted in Blackboard. Feedback and progress notes will be provided on Blackboard with the assignments and/or email as needed.

4) Evaluations will be completed for individual assignments within three business days of the deadline unless there are situations beyond my control, e.g. loss of electrical power.

5) Discussion board will be evaluated at the end of each week for that week’s topic questions. Discussion board grades will be posted by the following Tuesday. Evaluation will be based on the discussion board guidelines and rubric listed above.

6) All announcements, including updates, will be posted in the announcement section of Blackboard. All course materials, task lists, updates, supplemental readings, assignments and related resources will be posted on Blackboard.

Academic Integrity:

Because academic integrity is a cornerstone of the University's commitment to the principles of free inquiry, students are responsible for learning and upholding professional standards of research, writing, assessment, and ethics in their areas of study. Written or other work which students submit must be the product of their own efforts and must be consistent with appropriate standards of professional ethics. Academic dishonesty, which includes cheating, plagiarism and other forms of dishonest or unethical behavior, is prohibited. A breakdown of behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty is presented in the CMU Bulletin (https://bulletins.cmich.edu/).

Student Rights and Responsibilities:

Each member of the Central Michigan University community assumes an obligation regarding self-conduct to act in a manner consistent with a respect for the rights of others and with the University's function as an educational institution. As guides for individual and group actions within this community, the University affirms the general principles of conduct described in the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures at https://www.cmich.edu/ess/studentaffairs/Pages/Code-of-Student-Rights.aspx.

IX. SUPPORT SERVICES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Library Services