Fall 2020

FR501

Turns

FR501: RESEARCH METHODS, STATISTICS AND DESIGN. Brie Turns, PhD

DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the principal concepts of social science research. While the course reviews basic research and statistical skills, its primary goal is for students to learn to be critical consumers of published reports. Students will be introduced to the methods and goals of evaluation research, in both its qualitative and quantitative applications. Students will also be introduced to the literature on evidence-based therapies and the implications for ethical practice.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students who complete the course will be able to: (a) understand fundamental concepts of statistics and evaluation research design; (b) perform basic statistical analyses using the SPSS program; (c) critique empirical studies, particularly in the area of program evaluation.

RELATIONSHIP TO SCHOOL AND SEMINARY LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Meets the departmental learning outcome # 3, of conceptualizing family functioning from an eco‐systemic framework; SOP learning outcome # 3, of contributing to the development of knowledge; and seminary learning outcome # 4, of pursuing a career consistent with student education.

COURSE FORMAT:

This 4 unit course meets weekly for lecture, discussion, and classroom exercises.

REQUIRED READING:

Salkind, N. J. (2016). Statistics for people who (think they) hate statistics. (7^th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ISBN: 978-1506333830

Williams, L., Patterson, J. & Edwards, T. (2014). Clinicians guide to research methods in family therapy. New York: Guilford Press. ISBN: 978-1462515974

RECOMMENDED READING:

American Psychological Association (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. 5^th ed. Washington, DC: Author. ISBN: 978-1557987914. List price: $29.16.

Creswell, J. W. (1994). Research design: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ISBN: 978-1412965576. List price: $64.95.

Davidson, E. J. (2004). Evaluation methodology basics. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ISBN: 978-0761929307. List price: $55.95.

Fowler, F. J., Jr. (1993). Survey research methods. 2^nd ed. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications. ISBN: 978-0803950481. List price: $36.27.

Hinton, P. R. (1995). Statistics explained. New York: Routledge. ISBN: 978-0415332842. List price: $79.95.

McClendon, M. J. (2004). Statistical analysis in the social sciences. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. ISBN: 978-0534637835. List price: $139.

Pan, M. L. (2003). Preparing literature reviews: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Los Angeles: Pyrczak. ISBN: 978-1884585760. List price: $39.95.

Pyrczak, F. (1999). Evaluating research in academic journals. Los Angeles: Pyrczak. ISBN: 1-884585-78-7. List price: $39.95

Urdan, T.C. (2001). Statistics in plain English. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. ISBN: 978-0415872911. List price: $32.95.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Students will be required to complete: a statistical assignment on R, using data provided by the instructor; an annotated bibliography assignment; an online certification course in research ethics; two one-page article reviews; and three quizzes, which will be administered periodically throughout the term.

PREREQUISITES:

Open to all students; some background in statistics is required.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

1. Required for all MSMFT students. Elective otherwise.

2. Meets AAMFT core competency domains 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4.

FINAL EXAMINATION:

Project.