Soc 6380

Practicum in Applied Social Research

This course will provide students with the experience of negotiating, designing, implementing, analyzing, and reporting on an actual research project in a community, nonprofit, or government setting with a real client.

Course Goals

1. To gain experiential knowledge of negotiating an applied research project.

2. To gain the technical knowledge of research design and analysis from experience.

3. To carry out an applied research project from beginning to end.

Course Structure

The course will be structured as a studio and field work experience.

Term 1:

a. Discuss the client’s research needs

b. Review the relevant literature related to the project

c. Propose designs

d. Revise designs based on client reactions

e. Gain approval from human subjects review

f. Develop, pilot test, and duplicate research instruments

Term 2

a. Collect the data

b. Analyze data

c. Provide client with an initial draft of findings

d. Revise draft based on the client reactions

*Students may also be involved in training others to collect, analyze, and report in some community settings where the research is done collaboratively.

Course Requirements

Students will be expected to achieve the following requirements:

1. Show effective interpersonal skills in negotiating with clients.

2. Work effectively as a member of a team as well as individually, with strict attention to deadlines.

3. Master the specific research design, collection, and analysis skills required of a particular project.