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Syllabus
CRJ716– COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN SOCIAL RESEARCH
Section 01
Online
INSTRUCTOR: Agron Kaci
Office: 3324N -
Office Hours: Wednesdays: 5-
Phone: (212) 484-
E-
Course Description
This course, CRJ 716, is offered every semester as a required class in the Master’s Program for a total of 3 (three) credits. It provides a graduate level introduction to the use of the computer as a social science research tool. It will introduce students to basic methodological and statistical issues in managing and analyzing data using specific and sophisticated computer applications.
In addition patterns and relationship between variables and data will be examined. Using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software, students will calculate needed statistics for reaching correct and sound conclusions about research hypotheses.
Students will gain basic through intermediate computer knowledge and expertise needed to successfully compete in many levels of today's Criminal Justice data research workforce.
All classes meet in 436T computer classroom. Students will be able to access course materials and are required to complete work using the Blackboard Learning Management System Course web page, which is accessed through the CUNY web page (CUNY Portal) or directly here>>>. Students must establish email accounts, and communicate regularly with the instructor via email (crj716@gmail.com).
Please note that the syllabus and course outline is subject to change based on class progress.
CRJ 716 requires having taken CRJ 715 (Research Design and Methods). This course introduced students to the nature of the theory, research process, research questions and testable hypotheses. It, also, have taught you the operationalization of concepts into variables. Methods of data collection, including designing experiments and carrying out surveys, should have been covered.
Objectives
This course will try to address big questions and lead you through a series of investigative adventures in criminal justice research. You’ll be the detective and try to find out for yourself where these questions will lead. This course’s intention is to introduce you to some very fancy and helpful tools that you can use in your investigation.
At the end of the semester, students will be able to:
1. Understand and explain the nature and structure of quantitative data including concepts such as variables, levels of measurement, and unit of analysis
2. Formulate detailed research hypotheses about crime and justice, in particular, and social research, in general.
3. Build and define quantitative datasets from raw surveys or archival records.
4. Conduct quality control of quantitative data.
5. Manipulate data.
6. Understand and explain basic concepts of probability, data distributions, sampling, inferences, and statistical significance.
7. Understand and perform univariate and bivariate statistical analyses.
8. Explain the nature, purposes, and limitations of various statistical techniques.
9. Conduct significance tests, including, but not limited to:
a. Descriptive statistics;
b. Frequencies;
c. T-
d. ANOVA;
e. Chi-
f. Correlation;
g. Regression, and more.
10. Communicate data and findings summarily and clearly, orally and in writing.
11. Present data and findings in tables created with word-
12. Discuss statistical findings accurately and meaningfully. Use a popular computer application package (including but not limited to Excel, SPSS, SAS, STATA, or R) to perform or assist with tasks described above.
13. Inspire reasonable enthusiasm and creative thinking about the possibilities for the improvement of justice and safety through computer technology.
Communication
Success in this course depends on the level and method of communication. If you seek help when you need it your path to success in this course will be clearer.
E-
You will need an email account to make the best use of this class. The first step is to take control of your John Jay email account. See the Communication section below for more information on e-
YAHOO
HOTMAIL/LIVE
Follow the instructions on any of the above sites to set up an account for yourself.
I suggest that all students use the John Jay College email account, because the LOGIN and PASSWORD from your email account allow you to use the electronic resources (Lexis, Criminal Justice Abstracts, Sociofile) from home.
RULES of COMMUNICATION
However, there are some rules as to how to communicate with your instructor:
1. Use my course e-
2. In every Subject line put "CRJ 716", so I know that your inquiry is about our class.
3. Explain the problem you are having.
4. btw, if u r 2 use (smiley faces and letters or numbers instead of words)
I expect you to be professional, as we are teaching and learning in a professional environment.
5. Remember: THERE ARE NO "DUMB" QUESTIONS. Ask about anything related to the course!
6. I reserve the right to not respond to your question if I see that you have not complied with the readings of the class. In this case, I may tell you to read the assignment. If you have read the assignment, but you did not understand it, that is a different story, and I will certainly advise you on to the next step.
Also, please familiarize yourself with Netiquette. "Netiquette" is network etiquette, the rules of online communication. Netiquette covers both common courtesy online and the informal "rules of the road" of cyberspace. Follow the rules of Netiquette by going to this link>>>. Email Netiquette is found here>>>. (On a Word document, hold the Ctrl keyboard key and when the mouse changes to pointing hand, click on the link to open them in your default Web Browser).
Usually, I respond pretty quickly. If you don't get a timely e-
Very Important!
I will assume that you use the John Jay e-
If you don't use or check it very often, you will have to let me know which e-
Also, an alternative for you is to forward your John Jay e-
If you don’t complete an assignment because of failure in communication, (not checking my e-
TEXT & TOOLS
The most important tools for success in this course are time spent working at the computer and patience to learn what you don't know. This prescription may seem simplistic, but shortchanging yourself in either time or tolerance for errors will make this learning process much harder and much more stressful.
NOTE: It is necessary you save your work and have a backup copy. Lost files or crashed computer hard drives will NOT be an excuse at the end of the semester to submit work late. Make sure work is saved on your disk/flash drive, your home computer and your personal folder at school.
I have created a special space for you to upload draft exercises or any datasets or output PASW files for later use. This space can be found in the Blogs folder in Blackboard. These files can only be viewed by you and the Instructor. No class mates can view your files, they are private!
TEXT/MATERIALS/WEB:
This section of CRJ 716 will be taught in a computer lab (436T) and will use hardware and software in every class.
You will need to acquire the textbook and a USB flash drive. The text is:"Adventures in Criminal Justice Research: Data Analysis Using SPSS 15.0 and 16.0 for Windows", 4th Edition, by Logio, Kim A., Dowdall, George W., Babbie, Earl R., and Halley, Fred S. It is published by Sage Publications and comes with SPSS software.
Handouts: Additional handouts may be required. Instructor will provide information on obtaining this material.
Online Companion: http://www.sagepub.com/logiostudy/
The options for getting the textbook and USB Flash Drives are:
1. Textbook information:
a) Buy the textbook in the John Jay Bookstore.
b) If you want to buy this textbook directly from the publisher please go here>>>. This method is suggested, as it will provide you with the SPSS Student version software (disk).
Important note:
The above two places are strongly suggested! Make sure you buy a textbook that comes with the SPSS disc. If the price is too low, you are probably buying a textbook without the SPSS software, that you will need!
c) If you want to buy this book from different vendors online, please go here>>> to find out more detailed information.
d) If you want to buy this book from Amazon.com go here>>> (used or new).
2. Flash drive details and instructions: I urge you to also consider purchasing a USB flash drive (512 MB is sufficient, but 2GB is recommended) which starts at approximately $20 (2GB). Visit the following link for more info about USB flash drives
a)From Radio Shack;
b)From Staples;
c)From SanDisk.
If you have questions about what and how to buy, write me at: crj716@gmail.com.
The following software (programs) will be explored during the course:
IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) also known as PASW.
ASSESSMENT & GRADING
Grades will be based on 2 examinations (Midterm and Final), Home exercises and In-
Final grades will be based on the following:
Assignment Weight
In-
Home Exercises (HEX) 25%
Midterm Exam 30%
Final Exam 35%
All Exercises will be graded upon how correct you are on your already given answers, as well as how thorough, interesting and sophisticated your answers are. In addition, the logical and structure of your answers, as well as the validity of your argumentative support will certainly be considered.
Feedback for homework will be given via Blackboard or e-
The final grade will be the cumulative score of all assignments together. The maximum score will be 100. Please refer to the
The table below explains in more details how your final grade will be comprised:
Grades scored between… will equal Explanation
93% and 100% Outstanding A
90% and less than 93% Excellent A-
87% and less than 90% Very Good B+
83% and less than 87% Good B
80% and less than 83% Marginal B-
77% and less than 80% Non Satisfactory C+
73% and less than 77% Poor C
70% and less than 73% Very Poor C-
67% and less than 70%
67% and less than 67%
60% and less than 63%
% and less than 60% Failure F
Please note that a grade less than “B” in the Graduate level is considered as failure and may place you on probation.
Cell Phones:
It is requested that all mobile phones be turned off prior to class except in emergency situations. Please notify me if you will need to leave your phone on during class.
Words of Caution about Attendance
Each class is important, and becomes the basis for the succeeding class. If you miss a class, or do not do the quizzes or take time in front of the computer for the hands-
If a student falls three consecutive classes behind in attendance
Blackboard is the software chosen by John Jay College for its Distance Education and Hybrid classes. You access the course page at , through the College home page, or directly here>>>. Frequent Blackboard access is required in order to succeed in this course. If you do not access Blackboard in more than a week you will be automatically notified with an email. Upon receiving the email, you need to access Blackboard and interact with the required activities.
JOHN JAY COLLEGE POLICY ON Academic Dishonesty
Plagiarism is the act of presenting another person’s ideas, research or writings as your own. The following are some examples of plagiarism, but by no means is it an exhaustive list:
Copying another person’s actual words without the use of quotation marks and footnotes attributing the words to their source;
Presenting another person’s ideas or theories in your own words without acknowledging the source;
Using information that is not common knowledge without acknowledging the source;
Failing to acknowledge collaborators on homework and laboratory assignments.
Internet plagiarism includes submitting downloaded term papers or part of term papers, paraphrasing or copying information from the Internet without citing the source, and “cutting and pasting” from various sources without proper attribution.
Cheating is the unauthorized use or attempted use of material, information, notes, study aids, devices or communication during an academic exercise. The following are some examples of cheating, but by no means is it an exhaustive list:
Copying from another student during an examination or allowing another to copy your work;
Unauthorized collaboration on a take-
Using notes during a closed book examination;
Taking an examination for another student, or asking or allowing another student to take an examination for you;
Changing a graded exam and returning it for more credit;
Submitting substantial portions of the same paper to more than one course without consulting with each instructor;
Preparing answers or writing notes in a blue book (exam booklet) before an examination.
(From the John Jay College of Criminal Justice Graduate Bulletin, (pps. 86-
Blackboard, in an effort to reduce plagiarism, has creates a mechanism inside it, called SafeAssign. We will cover it as we cruise through the semester.
Please be aware that plagiarism (as defined above) will lead to failure in this course.
NOTE TO STUDENTS
The material presented in this course is cumulative in nature, in that you need to understand previously presented material in order to successfully understand today’s assignments. The most successful learning method would be to learn at a regular pace. Also, you need to regularly work with the statistical software. If you don’t understand the material, stop and try again later. Reread the chapter! If you are still at a loss, ask your instructor. You really need to understand the material, so don’t feel self-
Statistics calls for class attendance. When you are in class you may be at an advantage because of the instructor’s reinforcements of concepts and procedures.