Tobin Hart, Ph.D.
 

"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- A. Einstein

This course provides a theoretical and applied exploration of research methods particular to the human sciences.  It begins with consideration of philosophical and epistemic assumptions of research (quantitative and qualitative), including the social context out of which these ideas spring, and moves to specific techniques and practices for conducting research.  In addition to seminar work, the class is also a human science research laboratory in which each student will design and conduct his or her own primary research. This may lake the form of joint or individual projects depending-on each student’s interest and include collaborative design and implementation.  Uncovering and managing the students own subjectivity will be one center around which the experiential laboratory work will orbit.  This course is appropriate for thesis and dissertation design as well as with those with less specific needs.
 

Objectives

1. General understanding of research methods appropriate to psychology with particular emphasis
on human science approaches.

2. Specific understanding and application of qualitative methodology though the completion of a
pilot research project.

3. Understanding the role of researcher subjectivity in research and specifically one’s own
subjectivity in relation to the research project.

4. Ability to analyze and critique research design.
 

Evaluation

1. Students will be-required to -design, conduct, critique and present the results of a pilot research
project (including background literature review) of their choosing. A final research paper is
required. A final research portfolio (to include the paper) may also be submitted at the student’s
choosing.

2. An in-class oral presentation along with a conference presentation (SPARC).

3. Students will collaborate as research design consultants to other class members in laboratory
experience and -be assessed by the instructor.

4. Individual subjectivity, self knowledge, and self assessment will be described in a research
journal to be turned in at the end of class.
 

Texts

Braud, W., Anderson, R. (1998) Transpersonal Methods for the Social Sciences. Sage

Flick, U. (1998). An Introduction to Qualitative Research. Sage.
 
Patton, M.Q. (1990). Qualitative evaluation and research methods. 2nd edition. Newbury Park: Sage.

Brown, J. R. (1996). The I in science. Training to utilize subjectivity in research. Oslo: Scandinavian University Press.

Denzin, N. K. & Lincoln, Y. S. Eds. (1994). Handbook of qualitative research. London: Sage.

Giorgi, A. (1985). Phenomenology and psychological research. Pittsburgh: Duquesne.

Kirby, S. & McKenna, K. (1989). Experience research and social change: Methods from the margins. Toronto: Garamond Press.

Maso, I. et al (eds.) (1995). Openness in research: The tension between self and other. Assen, The Netherlands: Van Gorcum.

Taylor, S. J. & Bogdon, R. (1998). Introduction to qualitative research methods. 3rd edition Niw York: John Wiley and eSons.

Selected sample research articles as well as theses and dissertations.
 

Topics:

Epistemology: Goals, assumptions, and means of knowing. Different types of research
Qualitative and Quantitative
(Interpretive statistics, Phenomenology, etc.)
Socio-political norms, social justice and knowledge at the margins
Research as an intentional, naturalistic process
Domains of inquiry
Examples of research
Forming a question
Designing a project
Creativity in research design
Methods. (e.g. Interviewing, focus groups, ethnography, questionnaires, participant observation experimentation hybrids, etc.)
The self and subjectivity; conceptual baggage.
Literature reviews
Ethics
Organizing data
Analysis and interpretation --goals ,methods, imodels
Writing it up (research report development)
Transferability and implications
Evaluation and needs assessment
Presentation of Findings