JSU EM530 Research Methods for EM Syllab

EM530 Research Methods in Emergency Management Jacksonville State UniversityInstitute of Emergency PreparednessSummer Term 2010 : 

EM530 Research Methods in Emergency Management Jacksonville State UniversityInstitute of Emergency PreparednessSummer Term 2010 Dr. Connie White EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White 1

Instructor Information : 

Instructor Information Course Instructor: Connie White, PhD E-mail: ProfWhiteJSU@gmail.com Homepage: http://sites.google.com/site/conniemwhite/ Online Hours: Available throughout the day, chat/skype available by appointment Facebook: http://facebook.com/connie.m.white SkypeID: connie.m.white Twitter: http://twitter.com/conniemwhite 2 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Course Description: : 

Course Description: This course covers the logic and process of undertaking empirical, original and scholarly research within the emergency domain. The scientific method is covered including the process of conducting studies or experiments with valid and reliable results. Analytical and critical skills are developed teaching students the skills of evaluating published research. Particular challenges posed by unique characteristics of the emergency domain are explored. Statistical and survey software is used as tools to help gather and analyze information using available technology. 3 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

REQUIRED TEXTs: : 

REQUIRED TEXTs: Leedy, Paul and Ormrod, Jeanne. Either 8th or 9th Ed. Practical Research, Planning and Design, Ninth Edition. Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall. Stalling, R., Methods of Disaster Research, 2003, · ISBN-10: 1401079709 · ISBN-13: 978-1401079703. (cheap used from www.amazon.com or half.com) 4 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Course Objectives – Midterm Material : 

Course Objectives – Midterm Material Have an understanding of the scientific process and method. Know the difference between a literature review and research. Know how to write a literature review, use valid articles as references and reference work properly. Understand the reasons behind conducting a literature review. Understand good design behind conducting surveys. Understand the difference between gathering real data and bringing together information from a literature review. Write and understand technical papers presenting research. Be able to critically evaluate articles, proceedings, and any other text based information claiming to be research and its validity. 5 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Course Objectives – Final Material : 

Course Objectives – Final Material Be able to interpret results from data. Understand data sources, information and their reliability. Know how to remove bias from studies. Understand reliability and validity in conducting research. Know and understand the basics and differences between Qualitative methods and Quantitative methods in the research method. Learn technical writing skills that will be developed over the duration of the semester. Utilization of research in Emergency Management and understand the issues that should be considered during the zones and time frames when conducting research post disasters. 6 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Research Project (10 page)First Half of Semester: : 

Research Project (10 page)First Half of Semester: The first half of the semester is the most intensive work and time-wise on the student. You will need to come up with a Research Project that MUST be approved. Research Questions are also to be created and approved. NO HYPOTHESIS. This is a low level research project that will teach the student the process one goes through to conduct research. A literature review is also required where the references must also be listed and approved. Students must learn to reference work properly using APA standards. No Blogs, Wiki’s, or other questionable resources will be allowed. This is to show the student how critical valid resources are in order to build upon a sound scientific foundation. 7 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Research Project (10 page)Second Half of Semester: : 

Research Project (10 page)Second Half of Semester: The second half of the semester is much more fun and interesting for the student from my experience teaching this course. This is where the hard work from the first half of the course pays off. Survey questions (NO CASES) are created and built using a free online system, QuestionPro. Groups are identified for sample populations and data is gathered. Students are then required to interpret and write up the results in a manner conducive to building technical writing skills. 8 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Technical Writing : 

Technical Writing Guidance is provided to teach the student technical writing skills. Not only are notes and information provided, but papers are offered in a forum ‘Papers to Review’ that will model what is required of the student. 9 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Skype Meetings : 

Skype Meetings Real time online meetings will be held using Skype which is available for free. This is to reduce our text based format and aid those who are slow typist. This will be a question/answer period and will add to the spontaneity of interaction. All will not be able to attend, but the instructor will send a Doodle poll to determine the most advantageous period for the group members. Register for Skype: www.skype.com Add me to your contacts: connie.m.white 10 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Voice Over PPT : 

Voice Over PPT In attempts to reduce the text based format on online teaching, PPTs will be developed over the course of the semester with audio recorded. This will allow the student to listen to some of the lectures while viewing slides of some of the materials being developed. This in no way replaces the reading assignments though. These will be provided in mpg format too so they can be used from smart phones and iPods,etc. This allows the student to print out the ppts or the document being covered and listen to the lecture from anywhere, anytime. 11 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

COURSE ASSESSMENT: : 

COURSE ASSESSMENT: 12 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Quizzes and Exams : 

Quizzes and Exams EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White 13 10 quizzes On BB 4 days window 10 questions 10 minutes Take up to 3 times Learning Exercise Midterm Basically course objectives Final Second half of course objectives Prepares student for Oral Comprehensive Exams Quizzes Exams

Comment Posts : 

Comment Posts Due on Fridays in the week in which they are assigned by 10pm on Forum in BB and upload to SafeAssign (plagiarism detection software) The page referencing what the post is about from the reading assignment. (1 point) A brief summary of what the area of interest states. (3 points) At least 300 words. (8 points) Word count should be included at bottom of post. (1 points) One question posed at the end of the post. (3 points) 14 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Post Example : 

Post Example 15 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Replies are due Sunday 10pm to two other posts answering the questions posed and elaborating any way you wish. : 

Replies are due Sunday 10pm to two other posts answering the questions posed and elaborating any way you wish. At least 100 word count in replies. (2 points with 1 point per reply) Substance –Engage in intriguing conversation - saying something like ‘oh that’s a great post’ does not count. (5 points - with each reply counting 2.5 points) Posted by due date (2 points – one point per reply) 16 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Example Reply – Answering Post Question and elaborating : 

Example Reply – Answering Post Question and elaborating 17 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Schedule of Assignments : 

Schedule of Assignments A week by week schedule is posted both as a document with the syllabus Each week will have a dedicated Forum where the requirements are posted. 18 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Forum and Management : 

Forum and Management Difficult to maintain organization Subject headers should be unique and identify contents of post Don’t include your name as it’s there by default from the system Don’t say ‘week 4’ as we know that and it doesn’t describe the contents Contribute your Posts or Replies by directly responding to the Parent Post under which your contribution falls. 19 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Example of Naming and Organizing : 

Example of Naming and Organizing 20 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Blackboard Requirements : 

Blackboard Requirements Blackboard only works correctly using Internet Explorer version 8 Update your information http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx Any other Blackboard issues contact: 21 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

Introduce Yourself : 

Introduce Yourself You need to go to Blackboard and meet everyone by Introducing yourself. Provide such information as: Your job and duties Your location Fears Expectations of this course Any other information you’d like to share, hobbies, etc. 22 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White

The EndThere will be a forum where all general Questions should be posted.Q&A Forum.Personal information/questions should be emailed to profwhitejsu@gmail.com or cmwhite@jsu.edu : 

The EndThere will be a forum where all general Questions should be posted.Q&A Forum.Personal information/questions should be emailed to profwhitejsu@gmail.com or cmwhite@jsu.edu 23 EM530 Syllabus Dr. Connie White