Alaback, Paul

Six, Diana

English

University of Montana

University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Syllabi Course Syllabi Fall 9-1-2000 FOR 501.01: Research Methods Diana Six University of Montana - Missoula, diana.six@umontana.edu Paul Alaback University of Montana - Missoula, paul.alaback@umontana.edu Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Recommended Citation Six, Diana and Alaback, Paul, "FOR 501.01: Research Methods" (2000). Syllabi. 5086. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/5086 This Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Course Syllabi at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact scholarworks@mso.umt.edu.                                                                                                        Research Methods -  Forestry 501 Fall 2000 Instructors: 	 Diana L. Six, SC 412, x5573­Paul Alaback, SC 404, x2913­Purpose: To assist forestry graduate students in developing a solid understandingof scientific approaches and experimental designs, to enhance the student’s ability to design a scientific study, to critique scientific studies, to perform research throughan understanding of research and statistical methodology, and to facilitate thepreparation of a thesis study plan. Course outline, topics, and tentative dates:Diana Six 1. Introduction What is science?	­ 9/5 Scientific literature - D. Potts	­ 9/7 2. The Scientific Method Choosing a problem/the literature review Identifying objectives/ gathering preliminary data and performing exploratory data analysis	­ 9/12 Formulating hypotheses	­ 9/14 Research design and preparation of the proposal Experimentation/data collection/data analysis 9/19 Evaluation of your results/submission/future workPeer review/presentation of results	­ 9/21 3. Social science methods- J.Burchfield	­ 9/26 4. Research in economics - D. Jackson	­ 9/28 5. Modeling	­ 10/3 6. The critical review Reviewing literature/ Student critiques of papers	­ 10/5 EXAM I	­ 10/10 5. Experimental design Principles and concepts 10/12  Paired comparisons Experimental designs - ANOVA Completely randomized designRandomized complete blockFactorialsSplit plot                                                                                                                                 Paul Alaback Nested designs Regression-based designs Assumptions/limitations Covariance analysis Exploratory data designs EDA approach Multivariate approaches Model development Types of models/Errors in models/Cause-effect 10/17 10/19 10/24 10/26 10/31 6. Data collection Sampling conceptsSystematic vs. random Stratified11/2 SubsamplingDouble sampling 7. Plot design Point (plotless) Fixed plots Variable plots v 11/7 EXAM II 11/9 Presentations of thesis proposals 11/14-12/14 Evaluation: UnitCritical reviews (2)Exams Percent of grade 5 each 30 Term project -Due 12/7Presentation30 30 Term project: The term project for Research Methods will involve the design andwrite up of a thesis proposal appropriate for submission to your thesis committeeand to potential funding sources. Your term project will ideally focus on your thesisproject. You are strongly encouraged to work closely with your advisor during thedevelopment of your project. The purpose of this assignment is to encourage you to go beyond the initial phase of literature review and analyses and take on the task of designing an effective quantitative or qualitative experiment. This will involve synthesizing and applying many of the concepts presented in this course. In the process of designingyour term project, you will not only be expected to set up an appropriate statistical orqualitative design, but also to develop all of the methods associated with the proposed research. Study  Plan M odelF orestry  501 -  R esearch M ethods1. Title Page2. Table of Contents -  only if document is greater than 10 pages or contains many tables and figures.3. Abstract -  Short description of study plan.4. Summary of Problems and Project Plan -  Describes importance of the problem and the linkage to the problem to be solved. This also demonstrates that you have adequately reviewed the literature.5. Study Objectives -  Are defined through an iterative process linked to the Methods so that there is a - 1:1 correspondence. A study objective is adequate if the following hold true:a) The objective flows directly from the problem statement in terms of substance and scope.b) The objective provides an exact, unambiguous statement of what will be accomplished, not what might be or should be.6. Variables and Sources of Variation -  is the heart of a quality study plan and reveals how well the researcher understands the nature of the information to be extracted from the data. The following canbe specified:a) dependent variable -  is the main interest of your study and includes measurement units, precision and why it was chosen,b) major factors (in order of importance) that influence the outcome of the study and how you plan to deal with the sources or variation. Basically you have four choices: (1) ignore, (2) control, (3) measure, (4) average.c) Independent variables -  identify which factors are to be quantified and how they relate functionally to the dependent variable.7. Planned Analysis and Study Design -  to be discussed in detail in two weeks.8. Field/Laboratory/Computational Procedures -  indicate how data will be collected in the field or laboratory and the kinds of computations required in sufficient detail so that another researcher having a similar background as the author can conduct the study.9. Planned Reports/Publications -  give an indication of the types of reports and/or publications that will result from the study.10. Time Schedule -  identify major tasks, people required, and the time required to complete the tasks. Use horizontal bar charts to show timeline for the beginning and end of each task11. Budget -  Show, in sufficient detail, the expenses required to complete the study. Include salaries, supplies, capital equipment, travel, overhead, contracted costs, etc... and indicate the balance between proposed tasks and monies required. Include a brief budget justification to describe why an amount of money is required for a given component.12. Appendices -  for placement of miscellaneous informationWhy Write a Study Plan1) Clarify your thinking regarding the proposed research. This will help you determine if there are gaps in your plan2) Facilitate peer review - gain assistance from specialists so that your plan will be improved and avoid costly mistakes3) Provide a permanent record to permit study continuity and allow others to learn from your experience4) Simplify- ready execution of the research to facilitate your own work in the field or lab and to improve the potential ability for technicians to carry out the given study. The plan will also facilitate the revision procedures “mid-stream,” should they be needed5) Enhance communication with your advisor and committee members.6) Draw up a contract of performance7) Avoid being asked: “why didn’t you do this?”Study P lan E valuation1) Is the writing clear, concise, complete, and unambiguous?2) Is the problem statement or analysis adequate?3) Are the objectives fully specified and researchable (can you tell when the objectives have been met and if they can be done)?4) Are the methods a logical outcome of the objectives and are they adequately described so that another researcher can conduct the study'?v5) Are the methods sufficient and efficient?6) Are planned reports/publications an effective and efficient means of communicating the research results?7) Are schedules and budgets complete and realistic?                                                                                       Presentation You will be asked to evaluate the presentations o f your fellow students. The process will­be only for you peer’s benefit, as we will assign grades based on our evaluation of the­presentations. We will, however, provide your score sheets to the presenter. Please circle­the most appropriate number for the each particular aspect o f the presentation with 5­being excellent and 1 being poor. Do not sign your name.­Evaluation­Abstract Excellent 5 4 3 2 1­Introduction 5 4 3 2 1­Hypotheses and objectives 5 4 3 2 1­Methods 5 4 3 2 1­Conclusions 5 4 3 2 1­Flow o f Presentation X 4 0 2 1­Visual Aids 5 4 3 2 1­Clarity 5 4 3 2 1­Speaking Rate 5 4 3 2 1­Voice Inflection1 5 4 3 2 1­Presentation M annerism s2 5 4 3 2 1­O verall P resentation 5 4 3 2 1­Comments:­1 Poor being flat voice and monotone.­2 Avoids repetitive actions and free o f distracting movement­

FOR 501.01: Research Methods

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FOR 501.01: Research Methods

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