T502: Introduction to Research Methods in Telecommunications

T502 is designed to provide an introduction to addressing questions
in the field of telecommunications using the social science
approach.  This course will cover the range of activities associated
with social science investigations, from the development of research
questions and hypotheses to the analysis of data.  T502 will be an
amalgam of theory and practice, with exercises throughout the
semester designed to provide an enriching set of first hand
experiences.

Social scientists frequently make use of theory, methods, and
statistics.  No single course can provide a truly in-depth
understanding of theory construction, research methods, or
statistical analyses.  Indeed, good scholarship often requires
considerable training in each of these areas.  Consequently, T502
will not make students experts in social science methods.  Rather,
it is designed to make students better consumers of the research
that employs those methods and, to some extent, prepare students to
conduct their own research.  And, if it stimulates student interest
in learning more about theory construction, research methods, or
even statistical analyses, so much the better!

There is one required text for the course.  It is a broad,
introductory overview of social science methods.
Babbie, E. (2001.)  The practice of social research. (9th edition).
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.  A series of additional
readings from academic research journals also will be assigned and
placed on electronic reserve.

There are six written assignments.  Most will be relatively short;
students will need several hours of thought and will be given up to
a week to turn in responses.  The final written assignment will feel
more like a term paper.  Here, students will be asked to write a
research proposal, one which incorporates a literature review, the
development of research questions or hypotheses, and a fully
developed methods section.  In tackling this assignment, students
will be incorporating many of the issues and assignments addressed
throughout the semester.  In addition to the written response, each
student will give a 10 minute oral presentation, akin to delivering
a paper at a national conference.

In addition to the assignments, there will be three exams.  Each
will consist of a series of short essays and practical problems.
These will be a mix of theory and application, consistent with the
approach taken throughout the course.