University of Toronto

Faculty of Management


Fall 2000

3051 & 3062 Research Methodology



Instructors

Martin G. Evans
Office #532
978-1949
Andrew A. Mitchell
Office #501
978-4915
Scott Hawkins
Office #506
978-4196



Class Time: Thursday 1.00 - 4.00

Place: Room 500

This Methodology seminar is designed for Organizational Behaviour and Marketing Ph.D. students and will meet for two semesters as MGT 3051 in the Fall and MGT 3062 in the spring [probably 2001]. During the fall semester, the course will focus primarily on measurement and experimental methods, and in the spring semester the focus will be on the analysis of correlational data.

The course focuses on the identification and testing of relationships between theoretical variables. Consequently, it covers measurement of theoretical variables as well as the use of experimentation and correlational methods to identify and test relationships between theoretical variables.

There are three main objectives in this course. The first objective is to provide students with an understanding of the methodological concepts required to conduct empirical research. The second is to develop the ability of students to use these concepts in critically evaluating research. The third is to develop students' skills in using these concepts to design their own research projects.

Important web sites:

Web Sites to help you write better papers:

Since the course is designed primarily to provide students with an understanding of important methodological concepts and the ability to apply them, it will not cover the statistical theory used in experimental or correlational analysis. Students are urged to take additional courses in psychology, econometrics and statistics that will provide such a background.

The following course requirements will be used to achieve the objectives outlined previously:

  1. Extensive readings from psychology, marketing and organizational behaviour on methodological concepts. Make sure that you understand the concepts covered in the readings and think about how they would be applied in different research situations. All of the assigned readings are to be read and thought about prior to class.
  2. A combination of lecture and rigorous class discussions. You are expected to contribute to every class through your questions and discussions.
  3. Evaluation for the Fall semester course will be based upon three written assignments:
    1. Article Critique You will be provided with an article in Week 9. The assignment is to write a critical analysis of the article in terms of its methodological strengths and weaknesses. The written critique is due prior to class in Week 11. 30%
    2. Research Design Project You will choose a research topic of interest and develop a hypothesis or hypotheses. The project then involves designing an experimental or quasi-experimental study to test the hypothesis or hypotheses. A brief description of the topic and hypotheses to be tested is due prior to class in Week 12. The final written project is due at the end of the first week of January, 2000. 50%
    3. Final Examination. Held the last day of classes. 20%



The topics to be covered in each of the class sessions are as follows:

TOPIC

DATE

1. Introductory Session September 14
2. Philosophy of Science September 21
3. General Research Strategies September 28
4. Measurement I: Scaling & Reliability October 5
5. Measurement II: Validity of Measures and Scale Construction October 12
6. Hypotheses and Statistical Tests October 19.
7. Experimental Design and the Concepts of Experimental Validity October 26
8. Quasi-Experimental Design I: Non-Equivalent Control Group Designs November 2
9. Quasi-Experimental Design II: Time Series Designs November 9
10. Experimental Research I: Research Strategies November 16
11. Experimental Research II: Enhancing Internal Validity November 23
12. Experimental Research III: Analysis of Variance and Covariance November 30
13 Experimental Research IV: Analysis of Variance and Covariance (cont) December 7
14
a. Experimental Versus Non-Experimental Research
b. Generalizability Theory
December 14
Supplementary Session
Basics of Matrix Algebra
If Required
Final Examination Dec 21

Week 2

Philosophy of Science



Suggested (but not required) as an accessible introduction to philosophical and ethical isses :

Woodward, J., & Goodstein, G. (1996). Conduct, misconduct and the structure of science. American Scientist, 84, 479-490.

There are some useful ideas on Causality at Judea Pearl's site.

Week 3

General Research Strategies




Week 4

Measurement I: Scaling and Reliability



Supplementary:



Week 5

Measurement II: Validity of Measures and Scale Construction


Supplementary:



Week 6

Hypotheses and Statistical Tests


Week's website: [http://trochim.human.cornell.edu/OJtrial/ojhome.htm]. A Powerful analysis of power -- fun too!


Supplementary:



Week 7

Experimental Design and the Concepts of Experimental Validity




Week 8

Quasi-Experimental Design I: Non-Equivalent Control Group Designs



Supplementary:



Week 9

Quasi-Experimental Design II: Time Series Designs


Due: Article Critique.

Week 10

Experimental Research I: Research Strategies


Due: Research Design Project - brief topic and hypotheses

Week 11

Experimental Research II: Enhancing Internal Validity




Week 12 & 13

Experimental Research III: Analysis of Variance and Covariance



Recommended:



Week 14

a) Experimental vs. Non-Experimental Research



Recommended:

b) Generalizability Theory




Supplementary Session

Matrix Algebra




Reminder: Research Design due January 8th, 2001. [The REAL new millenium]