CRJ261 – SPRING ’98 Introduction to Research Methods

Syllabus and Class Description

 

 

Instructor: Dr. James R. "Chip" Coldren, Jr.

 Office Hours: 921 West Van Buren, Suite 230, Mon, Wed, 12-1:30 p.m.

Phone 312-355-1753; e-mail jchip@uic.edu

 Teaching Assistant: Jennifer Hiselman; 4030-C BSB

Office Hours: Tues., Thurs., 11:00-12:15, or by appointment

Campus Phone: 413-4116

 Required Text: Maxfield and Babbie (1998) Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology (2nd ed.). Belmont,

CA: Wadsworth.

Selected

Readings: as assigned

Evaluation: Quizzes 40%, Research Assignments (2) 40%, Final Exam: 20%; class attendance is required and may

affect your grade. Quiz make-ups are possible.

Teaching Method: Lectures focusing primarily on the text and readings; class discussions on readings and research

assignments (#1, #2)

Course

Objectives:

(1) Familiarize students with a range of research methods and their respective strengths and

weaknesses

(2) Learn the differences between quantitative and qualitative research

(3)  Students complete practical research exercises

(4) Learn the role of science and research methodology in the development of knowledge

(5) Sensitize students to the social, political, and ethical contexts in which research is

conducted