To provide students the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary 1) to read, understand, and appreciate research,

2) identify a research question with an independent and dependent variable and

3) to write a mini-literature review based upon synthesis of existing literature. The mini-literature should be 8-10 pages in length.

Synthesizing Literature

In the past you have likely written papers that are summaries from research articles. That is not our purpose here. You will learn the skill of analyzing articles, summarizing the meaning and then combining those to create an original paragraph. This activity will provide an opportunity to practice this skill prior to implementing the skill in an actual literature review. It is scored in three parts; 10 points for research analysis table, 10 points for article summary, 10 points for single page synthesis. Note the deadline.

Reading quizzes

After you review read and review the material in a module, there will be a short quiz over the presentations, notes, etc. There are 10 questions in T/F, multiple choice, or multi-answer format. You have 1 hour to complete a quiz. You may do those anytime you feel ready BUT please note the deadlines for each in D2L. I recommend you do the reading quiz and then the associated HW assignment.

HW Assignments

One of the main purposes of this class is for you to understand what it is you are reading as you peruse the literature of your topic. We will discuss in detail various aspects of research in class after you have read. In addition, each unit of study will have several papers with questions for you to answer to check for understanding. You may work on these when you think you are ready but you will only have 24 hours to complete them BUT note the deadlines for each in D2L. You may work together if you think that will help. They are worth 25 points each and represent an assessment of your understanding. These are multiple choice questions from several articles.

Mini Literature Review

You will identify a research question with a clearly defined independent and dependent variable. You will then research articles related to this variable to help the reader better understand what is known about the topic. The literature review should be 8-10 pages in length, not including the cover page nor references page(s). Writing is a development skill especially in the context of research. Part of this process includes writing multiple drafts. This is the same process every writer goes through. To that end, this assignment is graded on a competency based format. This means I will provide feedback up to three times leading to your final grade (i.e. you submit, I give edits/feedback, you correct that submit again and I give edits/feedback, then you correct for a final version.)

Due dates for drafts (drafts are not required and there is no grade).

October 23rd (1^st)

November 6th (2^nd)

November 27th (3^rd)

December 12 (Final)

This is an online course so attendance is not part of the requirement. However, the course is challenging. If you do not stay on top of the reading, you will quickly get left behind.

General guidelines for time commitment are as follows.

2-3 hours per hour of course credit for class preparation (reading)

1 hour per hour of course credit for course engagement (course engagement, watching videos, discussion etc..)

This means for a 3 hour course you should expect to devote 10-12 hours per week. This does not include time spent working on the literature review.

Late work is not accepted for any reason. A due date may be extended depending on coverage of material, but once the due date is set, no assignments will be accepted beyond that point

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Obligation to Report Sex Discrimination under State and Federal Law

Midwestern State University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. State and federal law require University employees to report sex discrimination and sexual misconduct to the University’s Office of Title IX. As a faculty member, I am required to report to the Title IX Coordinator any allegations, personally observed behavior, or other direct or indirect knowledge of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking, involving a student or employee. After a report is made, the office of Title IX will reach out to the affected student or employee in an effort to connect such person(s) with resources and options in addressing the allegations made in the report. You are also encouraged to report any incidents to the office of Title IX. You may do so by contacting:

Laura Hetrick

Title IX Coordinator
Sunwatcher Village Clubhouse
940-397-4213

laura.hetrick@msutexas.edu

You may also file an online report 24/7 at Maxient 

Should you wish to visit with someone about your experience in confidence, you may contact the MSU Counseling Center at 940-397-4618. For more information on the University’s policy on Title IX or sexual misconduct, please visit MSU Texas Title IX

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.