RES - Research Methods

What’s the best way to get started on a research paper? How do you know if that news story you read is actually true? What does it mean to use information "ethically?" With so much digital media literally at our fingertips, it's more important than ever to become a confident, responsible participant in the information universe. This course examines foundational concepts, key strategies, and common challenges in finding and using digital information in academic, professional, and personal contexts. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 2 quarter hours

In this course, students will identify a research topic, conduct experiments, analyze data, and formulate conclusions. Students will have the ability to present their research study at NLU's Annual Research Symposium and potentially an external conference in a student research category.

In this course, students are introduced to research concepts, policies, and principles related to social research. Students will explore the purpose of research and theory and the value of ethics in research in order to develop the foundation and critical research skills throughout the course. They will have the opportunity to develop their own research questions, hypothesis, and research design through a research proposal and presentation. Pre-requisite(s): PSY: MTH 102, PSY 101 or permission of Program Chair or designate. SWK: MTH 102, SWK 200 or permission of Program Chair or designate. HSM: MTH 102, HSM 101 or permission of Program Chair or designate. CSJ: Admission to the Criminal Justice Program. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This is a gateway course that reviews the principles of graduate academic writing and introduces students to principles and methods of applied research for social sciences and professional programs. The course emphasizes the research context for decision making, problem-solving, information assessment, and clear communication of findings. It prepares students to apply writing and research skills to both future coursework in their respective programs and their professional careers. This is an advanced standing course that may count toward both, baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Pre-requisite(s): Completion of 90+ QH; and CGPA of 3.0 or higher; or permission of the Program Chair/Director or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This is a gateway course that reviews the principles of graduate academic writing and introduces students to principles and methods of applied research for social sciences and professional programs. The course emphasizes the research context for decision making, problem-solving, information assessment, and clear communication of findings. It prepares students to apply writing and research skills to both future coursework in their respective programs and their professional careers. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to a GSBL graduate program or part of the Undergraduate concentration courses in Health Services Administration as Advanced Pathways to Graduate Programs. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course provides an overview of quantitative and qualitative approaches used in identifying and solving challenges in a wide variety of fields, including business and management, health and human services, and social and behavioral sciences. Aided by spreadsheet applications software, students gather, sort, and manipulate data; compute statistics related to central tendency and variance; identify trends and patterns; forecast/predict future values of data; and coupled with information gathered in qualitative analysis, recommend actions and/or identify opportunities for additional research and inquiry. They further communicate their findings to varied audiences in visually rich communications. Pre-requisite(s): Graduate standing; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course introduces students to doctoral studies and methods of conducting and evaluating research in their areas of interest. Students will critically analyze issues of social justice in research, and acquire knowledge and skills to explore researchable issues and questions. They also learn how to develop plans to conceptualize and implement research projects. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course is designed to introduce and orient students to the advanced writing requirements of a doctoral program, as well as introducing students to writing resources (e.g. navigating library and technology systems). Students reflect on their doctoral studies as it relates to their work experiences and career aspirations. As a result of this reflection, students create a formal, APA-style written document which investigates a relevant issue from their area of study in a disciplined empirical inquiry. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This quantitative course provides students with skills necessary for the survey research process used across the disciplines of business, education, and the behavioral sciences. The goal is to familiarize students with survey design and analysis. Approaches include item construction, sampling, reliability, validity, and data analysis and interpretation using SPSS. The final product is a completed prospectus reflective of the survey design. It is strongly recommended that students take this course only in their final semester. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

In this course students study methodologies, assumptions,. and techniques for collection and analysis of. organizational data. The course includes a review of current research and trends in data-driven decision making. Throughout the course students analyze cases to develop a practitioner's knowledge of research, evaluation, and data use for organizational improvement. Pre-requisite(s): RES 600; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course provides an introduction to quantitative methods for research. Topics covered include research design, statistical inference and significance testing, correlation, t-tests, ANOVA, regression, and non-parametric tests for categorical data. Pre-requisite(s): RES 600; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Prior undergraduate or graduate course in statistics recommended. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course develops and enhances the knowledge of qualitative research methods. Students explore diverse and complex contexts of research and ways to conceptualize, conduct, and evaluate qualitative research with an emphasis on research designs and strategies for data collection and analysis. Students engage in critical discussions surrounding qualitative research validation criteria, research ethics, aesthetics, and other considerations. Pre-requisite(s): RES 600; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours