Quantitative Research Methods
SYA 6407
Fall, 2009
Dr. Chuck Peek
Course
and instructor information:
The lecture portion of this course meets on Thursdays from 3:00pm – 4:55pm
(periods 8-9) in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), room E221. The lab
portion of the course meets on Thursdays from 5:10pm – 6:00pm (period 10)
in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), room E211A. My office is 3229 Turlington Hall. I can be
reached at 392-0265 (ext. 253) or by email at cpeek@ufl.edu. My office hours
for the semester are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30am - 11:00am, and by
appointment.
Course
Description: This
course serves as an overview of the principles, interpretation, and application
of multivariate regression using linear models. The primary goal of this course
is to provide background and experience with a commonly used analytical
technique in Sociology and other social sciences. We will also focus on related
topics such as estimation, variable coding, regression diagnostics, and
modeling nonlinear and nonadditive relationships.
Text:
McClendon, McKee J. 1994. Multiple Regression and Causal Analysis.
Announcements,
relevant links, and other course materials are located on the course website
at:
www.clas.ufl.edu/users/peek/sya6407
A number of
journal articles will be used to illustrate the application of linear
regression. These articles will be available online unless indicated otherwise.
To access JSTOR and other library resources from outside the UF domain, follow
the instructions provided for Off-Campus
Access. Please
contact me if you have any difficulty accessing these articles. I reserve the
prerogative to add, delete, or substitute material from the reading list as
necessary to clarify and illustrate concepts central to the course.
We will be using SPSS statistical software for data management and
model estimation. SPSS is available in most computer labs on campus.
Assignments: Assignments for the course include a
research project and a series of homework assignments. The
research project will be divided into three parts: a proposal, a poster session
presentation, and a research paper. The goal of the project is to provide and
opportunity to gain experience using multivariate regression by employing
linear models to explore causal relationships in your area of interest. You are
expected to incorporate multiple elements covered in the course (e.g.,
interaction effects) into your project.
Proposal. In the initial phase of the research project, you will
develop a research proposal based on a topic or research question in your area
of interest. The proposal will identify the basic research question(s), list
the specific aims, describe important theories or conceptual frameworks,
discuss relevant studies, identify the data source, and describe the
measurement of key concepts. An outline is linked to the course webpage. The
proposal should be 5-7 pages and will account for 20 percent of the final grade.
Poster Session. During the next phase of the research project, you will
present a summary of your research project in a poster session and will have an
opportunity to field questions on your project. The format will be similar to
poster sessions at professional meetings. The presentation will account for 20
percent of the final grade.
Research Paper. The final phase of the research project will consist of
a research paper. In this phase, you will describe the rationale for the
investigation and develop a conceptual framework; propose a set of hypotheses;
describe the data, measures, and analytical approach; present the findings in
textual and tabular format; and discuss the findings and their theoretical and
practical implications. This paper will be similar to a manuscript prepared for
submission to a peer-reviewed journal and will account for 40 percent of the
final grade.
Homework Assignments. Regular (approximately bi-weekly)
homework assignments are designed to provide an opportunity for practicing and
applying the concepts discussed in class. The number of assignments will depend
on the pace of the course. Due dates will be announced in class at the time the
homework assignment is assigned. Homework will account for 20 percent of the
final grade.
Tentative
Schedule of Topics:*
August
27 – Organizational meeting
September
3 – Causal Logic and Statistical Models
Readings: Chapter 1
Frankel, M.R. and
L.R. Frankel.
1987. Fifty Years of Survey Sampling in the
Alwin, D.F. and R.T.
Campbell. 1987.
Continuity and change in methods of survey data analysis. Public Opinion
Quarterly, 51(Supplement): S139-55. (link)
September
10 – Bivariate Regression
September
17 – Multivariate Regression
September
24 – Multivariate Regression (continued)
Readings: Appendix
3A (pp. 119 - 132)
October
1 – Coding Nominal Independent Variables: Dummy Coding
October
8 – Interpreting Multivariate Regression Models
Ellison, C.G. and
M.A. Musick. 1993. Southern intolerance: A fundamentalist effect? Social
Forces, 72(2): 379-98. (link)
Delucchi, M. 2000. Don’t Worry, Be
Happy: Instructor Likability, Student Perceptions of Learning, And Teacher
Ratings in Upper-Level Sociology Courses. Teaching Sociology, 28(3): 220-231.
(link)
Attewell, P., S. Belkis, and J. Battle. 2003. Computers and Young Children: Social Benefit or
Social Problem? Social Forces, 82(1):
277-296. (link)
RESEARCH PROPOSALS DUE
October
15 – Coding Nominal Independent Variables: Effects and Contrast Coding
Readings: Chapter 5
(pp. 215 - 229)
October
22 – Missing Data
Readings: TBA
October
29 – Nonlinear Relationships
Readings: Chapter 6
November
5 – Nonadditive Relationships (a.k.a. Statistical Interaction)
Readings: Chapter 7
November
12 – Nonadditive Relationships (continued)
Readings:
Ellison, C.G. (1991). Religious involvement and subjective well-being. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 32(1): 80-99.
(link)
Mossakowski, K. 2003. Coping with Perceived
Discrimination: Does Ethnic Identity Protect Mental Health? Journal of Health and Social Behavior,
44(3): 318-331. (link)
Krause, N. and K.M. Wulff.
2004. Religious Doubt and Health: Exploring the Potential Dark Side of
Religion. Sociology of Religion, 65(1): 35-56. (link)
November
19 – Regression Diagnostics
November
26 – No class (Thanksgiving)
December
4 – Poster Session (location TBA)
!!!
Research Papers due (in my mailbox or sent via email) on Friday, December 18 by
5:00pm !!!
* Course
topics and due dates may shift according to the pace of the class.