There are 15 class sessions. The list below displays the course schedule by Session Number and Date, Topics, Readings, and Assignments.
Date |
Topics and Activities |
Reading Assignments |
1/23 |
Session 1: Introduction to Research; Scientific Methods of Inquiry
|
- Course Web Resource Section
- Johnson & Christensen, Chapter 1
- King, Keohane, & Verba. (1994). Chapter 1
- Michael, R. (2002). Inquiry and Scientific method (pdf accessible on the Moodle course site)
Distributed: Research Project
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1/30 |
Session 2: Research Paradigms; Ethics of Research
Jon Kimball, Director of Sponsored Programs, speaks on conducting research at Simmons (1:20-1:50pm)
|
- Creswell, Chapter 1 & Chapter 4 (read sections related to ethical considerations)
- Johnson & Christenson, Chapter 2, Chapter 6
- Sieber, Parts I-II, Scan Parts III-V
- Wildemuth, Part I
- Simmons IRB
Distributed: Assignment 1
|
2/6 |
Session 3: Research Process; Theories, Models and Conceptual Framework
No face-to-face session, session video lectures available on the Moodle site.
Instructor attends ALISE.
|
- Johnson & Christensen, Chapter 5
- Creswell, Chapter 3
- Hernon, P. (2001). Editorial: Components of the research process: Where do we need to focus attention?
- Research flowcharts:
Due: Research Paper Segment 1: Research Scenario
|
2/13 |
Session 4: Reflective Inquiry — Developing Problem Statement, Research Questions and Hypotheses
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- Hernon, P. & Schwartz, C. (2007). Editorial: What is a problem statement? Library & Information Science Research, 29, 307-309.
- Hernon, P. & Schwartz, C. (2008). A research study’s reflective inquiry. Library & Information Science Research, 30(3), 163-164.
- Johnson & Christenson, Chapter 4 (p. 90-106)
- Wildemuth, Part II
- Creswell, Chapters 6-7
|
2/20 |
Session 5: Literature Review
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- Johnson & Christenson, Chapter 4 (p. 80-90)
- Creswell, Chapter 2
- Pan, Chapters 1-10 (book on reserve in library)
- Webster, J., & Watson, R. (2002). Analyzing the past to prepare for the future: Writing a literature review.
- Dilevko, J. (2007). Reading literature and literature reviews. Library & Information Science Research, 29,451-454.
Due: Research Paper Segment 2: Reflective Inquiry
|
2/27 |
Session 6: Sampling & Measurement; Reliability & Validity
|
- Johnson & Christensen, Chapters 7, 10-11
- Wildemuth, Chapters 14-15, 29-30
|
3/6 |
No Class: Spring Break
|
3/13 |
Session 7: Research Framework or Empirical Studies
Oral Presentation of Review of Research Paper (Theory or Empirical)
|
|
3/20 |
Session 8: Survey Research
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- Johnson & Christensen, Chapters 8-9, 14
- Creswell, Chapter 8 (read sections related to survey method)
- Wildemuth, Chapter 28
- Tang, R., & Safer, M. (2008). Author-rated importance of cited References in biology and psychology publications.
Due: Research Paper Segment 3: Literature Review
|
3/27 |
Session 9: Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs
Start reporting review of a research design (assignment 2)
|
- Johnson & Christensen, Chapters 12-13
- Creswell, Chapter 8 (read sections related to experimental method)
- Wildemuth, Chapters 11-12
- Tang, R., Vevea, J., & Shaw, W., jr. (1999). Towards the identification of the optimal number of relevance categories.
- Jarvenpaa, S.L., Dickson, G. W., & DeSanctis, G. (1985). Methodological issues in experimental IS research: Experiences and recommendations. (Available on Moodle site)
|
4/3 |
Session 10: Qualitative Research Methods and Historical Research
Professor Michele Cloonan on Historical Research Method (5:00-5:50pm)
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- Johnson & Christensen, Chapters 15-16
- Creswell, Chapter 9
- Creswell (2012), Chapter 4, Chapter 8
- Wildemuth, Chapter 17
Due: Research Paper Segment 4: Research Protocol
|
4/10 |
Session 11: Mixed Method Design
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- Creswell & Clark, Chapter 1
- Teddlie & Tashakkori, Chapter 2
- Johnson & Christensen, Chapter 17
- Creswell, Chapter 10
- Wildemuth, Chapters 13
|
4/17 |
Session 12: Data Analysis and Coding
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- Johnson & Christensen, Chapter 18,19
- Wildemuth, Part V
|
4/24 |
Session 13: Research results and Conclusions; Individual Consultation of Research Projects

Second part the class will be individual consultation of research projects
|
Due: Research Paper Segment 5: Data Collection, Analysis & Results
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5/1 |
Session 14: Writing and Presenting Research
|
|
5/8 |
Final Research Project Presentation
Session takes place in P314 (SLIS Collaboratory)
Due: Written Research Project
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