Sociology
8
Sense and Nonsense of
Social Research
California State
University, Sacramento
Course Description
Introduces basic steps in the research process, enabling critical evaluation of research reports that affect social decision-making and actions. This course emphasizes the logical steps involved in thinking critically about social research and social issues such as, quality of operational definitions, adequacy in research design, magnitude of sampling errors, value assumptions, logical consistency between premises and conclusions, and the structure of arguments.
Students are taught to use electronic resources to recognize common errors in social research by searching through literature, participating in discussions and conducting surveys on cyber space.
Computer knowledge is desirable but not required.
[3] credits
Why Take This Course
Great excitement in online learning:
- Flexible scheduling of course activities
- Virtual office hours for interaction with instructor
- Participation in an online learning community
- Interaction with classmates through electronic discussion lists
Technology Requirements
Students will need an electronic mail account and computer access to the Web. All CSUS students enrolled in one or more units can create a SacLink account for electronic mail and Internet services. Although a home computer with a high speed modem running Netscape or Internet Explorer would be beneficial, students can use the Web from one of the campus student labs.
Computing Recommendations
|
Comfortable using the computer and browsing the Web |
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Windows NT, or Windows 95 or Macintosh compatible with System 7.1 or higher |
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8M RAM (preferably 16M) |
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28.8K or faster modem |
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Microsoft Internet Explorer or NetScape 3.0 (or higher) |
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SacLink or other Internet Account |
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Word processing skills |
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Online class participation on the Web assignments and electronic discussions. |
Successful Student Characteristics
Eagerness to learn new technology and expand one's horizon; discipline to complete projects by deadlines; motivation to participate fully in class activities; enamored of the computer.
Instructor
Instructor's Web
page and e-mail
minako@csus.edu.
DEPARTMENT / CSUS
Page updated: February 7, 2000