Project topic

Analysis with Charts, Graphs, Measures of Central Tendency, Rates, and Ratios: Qualitative Analysis

For the Unit IV Project Topic, you will write a paper of at least five (5) pages analyzing the data that you will use to complete the overview of your project.

· Use at least two resources to support your ideas. One source must be from the CSU Online Library, and the second source may be the textbook or a reliable source from the Internet. All sources used, including the textbook, must be cited and referenced appropriately.

· Include at least two charts and a table. If possible, use a median, mean, mode, or standard deviation in your analysis. Also, consider rates and ratios as a way of comparing information. Support your analysis with reference to appropriate research material.

PUA5304, Quantitative Research Methods 1

Course Description

Examines applied research, quantitative research, and qualitative research designs and methodologies that are applicable
to the public workplace. Outlines each step in the research process for the public sector professional.

Course Textbook

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Thousand

Oaks, CA: Sage.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Define research methods in the public administration context.
2. Identify terms used in public administration pertaining to research, such as research methods, theoretical

constructs, and research tools.
3. Distinguish among types of research methods, theories, and tools that are applicable in public administration.
4. Apply research methods and evidence to manage ethical dilemmas and program outcomes in justice

administration, emergency services, and the nonprofit sector.
5. Compare and contrast the usefulness of various research methods, theoretical constructs, and research tools in

terms of solving real-world problems.
6. Use Microsoft Excel to analyze real-world data sets and solve case and scenario problems.

8. Prepare a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation of a research project to include description of methods, data
analysis, and findings.

Credits

Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit.

Course Structure

1. Study Guide: Each unit contains a Study Guide that provides students with the learning outcomes, unit lesson,
required reading assignments, and supplemental resources.

2. Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and knowledge
students should gain upon completion of the unit.

3. Unit Lesson: Each unit contains a Unit Lesson, which discusses lesson material.
4. Reading Assignments: Each unit contains Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the textbook

and/or outside resources.
5. Suggested Reading: Suggested Readings are listed in the Unit I-VI and VIII study guides. Students are

encouraged to read the resources listed if the opportunity arises, but they will not be tested on their knowledge of
the Suggested Readings.

6. Learning Activities (Non-Graded): These non-graded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their
course of study.

7. Discussion Boards: Discussion Boards are part of all CSU term courses. More information and specifications
can be found in the Student Resources link listed in the Course Menu bar.

7. Synthesize lucid arguments with justifiable rationale for the selection of specific research methods, theoretical
constructs, and tools for solving real-world problems in public administration.

PUA 5304, Quantitative
Research Methods
Course Syllabus

PUA 5304, Quantitative Research Methods 2

8. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments in Units I-VIII. Specific
information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are included with
each assignment. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below.

9. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or
course content related questions.

10. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates.

CSU Online Library

The CSU Online Library is available to support your courses and programs. The online library includes databases,
journals, e-books, and research guides. These resources are always accessible and can be reached through the library
webpage. To access the library, log into the myCSU Student Portal, and click on “CSU Online Library.” You can also
access the CSU Online Library from the “My Library” button on the course menu for each course in Blackboard.

The CSU Online Library offers several reference services. E-mail (library@columbiasouthern.edu) and telephone
(1.877.268.8046) assistance is available Monday – Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. The
library’s chat reference service, Ask a Librarian, is available 24/7; look for the chat box on the online library page.

Librarians can help you develop your research plan or assist you in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information.
Reference requests can include customized keyword search strategies, links to articles, database help, and other
services.

Unit Assignments

Unit I Project Topic

Throughout this course, you will be working on a research project, in which you will use statistical techniques. You will
also be using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint to create charts and tables. In each of the Units I through VI, you will have
an assignment related to this research project. Each assignment will be graded on an individual basis and will not be
included in the final research project grade. However, each assignment is a part of the final research project paper and
must be submitted via SafeAssign in Unit VII as part of the final version of your research project paper. You will then
receive a final grade on your completed research project paper.

For the Unit I Project Topic, you will write a paper of at least two (2) pages explaining to your professor what you plan to
research for your research project paper. Be sure to choose a topic that pertains to a leadership or organizational
behavior issue.

You are required to use at least two resources to support your ideas. One source must be from the CSU Online Library,
and the second source may be the textbook or a reliable source from the Internet. All sources used, including the
textbook, must be cited and referenced appropriately.

If you would like more information on how to use the CSU Online Library, please watch the Success Center’s webinar
located here.

Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit II Annotated Bibliography

Identify and clearly state the problem (the leadership or organizational behavior issue that you have selected to research).

The problem statement should be phrased in terms of a researchable question. For example, if a work group is not
performing effectively, an effective problem statement might be “How can group performance be improved?”

mailto:library@columbiasouthern.edu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_lZ2mJciWo

PUA 5304, Quantitative Research Methods 3

A well-formed problem statement has:

1. Focus: The problem should be well defined and specific enough for the reader to gain a clear idea of the
leadership or organizational behavior topic area and the direction of your study and research.

2. Structure: If the problem statement is sufficiently focused, it will provide a basis for decisions about which
information to include and which to exclude from the paper.

Research your topic and select at least three (3) peer-reviewed, scholarly resources that you could use to support your
research project paper. Prepare an annotated bibliography with the references you selected. You are required to prepare
an annotation for each article. Each annotation should consist of a review and critical analysis of the articles. Each
annotation should be approximately one (1) page. In the review section of the annotation, you should provide a brief
explanation of the article and its findings. In the critical analysis section, you should analyze the author’s methodology,
findings, and/or conclusions. Also, you should include the value of each article provided. This portion of your project
should consist of no less than three (3) pages. Be sure all references are presented in APA format.

If you would like more information on how to create an Annotated Bibliography, please watch the Success Center’s
webinar located here.

Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit III Literature Review

Write a literature review of the research study that you will conduct for your research project paper. You must address at
least six (6) scholarly resources in this section. This may include the sources of your annotated bibliography. Approach
this section as a “mini book report” on each of the reference sources that significantly informed your analysis and
proposed solutions. Give the reader an overview of what information you found most relevant to your research. You may
have found conflicting opinions/theories related to your topic area. Identify and discuss why you have chosen your
research design. The section should be at least six (6) pages in length.

All sources used, including the textbook, must be cited and referenced according to APA standards. If you would like more
information on how to create a Literature Review, view the Success Center’s example located here.

Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit IV Project Topic

Analysis with Charts, Graphs, Measures of Central Tendency, Rates, and Ratios: Qualitative Analysis

For the Unit IV Project Topic, you will write a paper of at least five (5) pages analyzing the data that you will use to
complete the overview of your project.

 Use at least two resources to support your ideas. One source must be from the CSU Online Library, and the
second source may be the textbook or a reliable source from the Internet. All sources used, including the
textbook, must be cited and referenced appropriately.

 Include at least two charts and a table. If possible, use a median, mean, mode, or standard deviation in your
analysis. Also, consider rates and ratios as a way of comparing information. Support your analysis with reference
to appropriate research material.

Note: Students must have software capable of creating, editing, and saving Microsoft Office document files ( x),
Microsoft Excel spreadsheet files (.xls, .xlsx), and Microsoft PowerPoint presentation files (.ppt, .pptx).

Students may access a 60-day trial version and/or purchase the required Microsoft software at
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/jj192782.aspx. The Microsoft trial version can only be downloaded one time.

If you would like more information on how to use the CSU Online Library, please watch the Success Center’s webinar
located here.

Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.

https://columbiasouthern.adobeconnect.com/_a1174888831/annotatedbib/

https://online.columbiasouthern.edu/CSU_Content/Courses/Business/PUA/PUA5304/14C/review-of-lit-example-with-bubbles

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/jj192782.aspx

http://columbiasouthern.adobeconnect.com/librarywctutorial/

PUA 5304, Quantitative Research Methods 4

Unit V Project Topic

Quantitative Analysis using Theory

In this section of your project, you will use one of the theories discussed on pages 55-76 of your course textbook. Using
one of the theories, explain how the results support your conclusions.

 This analysis should be no less than five (5) pages.

 Any references used should be scholarly in nature and should follow APA format.

Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit VI Project Topic

Recommendations and Draft Paper Submission with References

It is now time to pull together your previous work into a draft paper. You may need to rearrange paragraphs to make the
research project paper flow smoothly as you transition from the various components. This submission should be no less
than 10 pages in length. In addition to the components from the previous units, you will need to identify your solution and
describe what should be done and how it should be done. Provide a timeline, if needed, of who is responsible for
completing general tasks, and include any other recommendations you might have to improving the situation about which
you are writing.

All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced according to APA style; paraphrased and quoted material
must have accompanying citations. Be sure to choose your references judiciously.

Note: Citing an author’s work within your text documents your research, identifies the source for readers, and enables
readers to locate the source of information in the alphabetical reference list at the end of the paper. To use the ideas or
words of another person without crediting the source is plagiarism. Plagiarism in its purest form involves copying
passages either verbatim or nearly verbatim, with no direct acknowledgment of the source. The most common form of
plagiarism is to paraphrase information from your source material without citing it properly. Paraphrasing does not relieve
you of the obligation to provide proper identification of source data. The best way to avoid plagiarism is to make sure all
quotes, ideas, or conclusions not your own are given proper acknowledgment in your text.

Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit VII Research Paper

Submit the final version of your paper including all the previous section(s) that you have submitted in the previous units
and updated according to your professor’s feedback. The research project paper must consist of no less than 15 pages
(including title and references pages) in APA style. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced;
paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations.

Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit VIII PowerPoint Presentation

Submit a PowerPoint presentation consisting of 7-15 slides in which you present your research project and its findings to
an audience of your peers. Within Unit V, you were required to discuss and implement one of the theories discussed on
pages 55-76 of your course textbook. Within the PowerPoint Presentation for Unit VIII, please address the theory you
decided to implement in your research project and the concepts you learned from integrating this specific theory. The
PowerPoint presentation should contain the following slides:

 Title slide

 Content slides (Note: You must have 7-15 content slides.)
o At least three slides address the theory you picked for your research project. Explain or illustrate the

concept(s) you learned from implementing this theory into your research project.

PUA 5304, Quantitative Research Methods 5

 Reflection slide(s)
o On your reflection slide(s), please explain the top three ideas/concepts that you will be taking away from this

research project. Under each idea, please explain how you plan to integrate these ideas in your future
endeavors.

 References slide
o You are required to use a minimum of two (2) outside sources from the CSU Online Library. All sources used,

including the textbook, must be cited and referenced according to APA standards.

If you would like more information on how to create strong presentations, watch the Success Center’s webinar located
here.

Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.

APA Guidelines

The application of the APA writing style shall be practical, functional, and appropriate to each academic level, with the
primary purpose being the documentation (citation) of sources. CSU requires that students use APA style for certain
papers and projects. Students should always carefully read and follow assignment directions and review the associated
grading rubric when available. Students can find CSU’s Citation Guide by clicking here. This document includes examples
and sample papers and provides information on how to contact the CSU Success Center.

Grading Rubrics

This course utilizes analytic grading rubrics as tools for your professor in assigning grades for all learning activities. Each
rubric serves as a guide that communicates the expectations of the learning activity and describes the criteria for each
level of achievement. In addition, a rubric is a reference tool that lists evaluation criteria and can help you organize your
efforts to meet the requirements of that learning activity. It is imperative for you to familiarize yourself with these rubrics
because these are the primary tools your professor uses for assessing learning activities.

Rubric categories include: (1) Discussion Board, (2) Assessment (Written Response), and (3) Assignment. However, it is
possible that not all of the listed rubric types will be used in a single course (e.g., some courses may not have
Assessments).

The Discussion Board rubric can be found within Unit I’s Discussion Board submission instructions.

The Assessment (Written Response) rubric can be found embedded in a link within the directions for each Unit
Assessment. However, these rubrics will only be used when written-response questions appear within the Assessment.

Each Assignment type (e.g., article critique, case study, research paper) will have its own rubric. The Assignment rubrics
are built into Blackboard, allowing students to review them prior to beginning the Assignment and again once the
Assignment has been scored. This rubric can be accessed via the Assignment link located within the unit where it is to be
submitted. Students may also access the rubric through the course menu by selecting “Tools” and then “My Grades.”

Again, it is vitally important for you to become familiar with these rubrics because their application to your
Discussion Boards, Assessments, and Assignments is the method by which your instructor assigns all grades.

Communication Forums

You can access these forums with the buttons in the Course Menu.

Click here for instructions on how to subscribe/unsubscribe and post to the Communication Forums.

Ask the Professor

This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content questions.
Questions may focus on Blackboard locations of online course components, textbook or course content elaboration,
additional guidance on assessment requirements, or general advice from other students.

https://columbiasouthern.adobeconnect.com/_a1174888831/powerpointbestpractices/

http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/downloads/pdf/success/citation-guide

https://online.columbiasouthern.edu/CSU_Content/common_files/instructions/DB/Create_New_Thread_Subscribe

PUA 5304, Quantitative Research Methods 6

Questions that are specific in nature, such as inquiries regarding assessment/assignment grades or personal
accommodation requests, are NOT to be posted on this forum. If you have questions, comments, or concerns of a non-
public nature, please feel free to email your professor. Responses to your post will be addressed or emailed by the
professor within 48 hours.

Before posting, please ensure that you have read all relevant course documentation, including the syllabus,
assessment/assignment instructions, faculty feedback, and other important information.

Student Break Room

This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. Communication on this forum should
always maintain a standard of appropriateness and respect for your fellow classmates. This forum should NOT be used to
share assessment answers.

Grading

Discussion Boards (8 @ 2%) = 16%
Project Topics (4 @ 7%) = 28%
Unit II Annotated Bibliography = 7%
Unit III Literature Review = 7%
Unit VII Research Paper = 24%
Unit VIII PowerPoint Presentation = 18%
Total = 100%

Course Schedule/Checklist (PLEASE PRINT)

The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to assist you through this course. By following this schedule,
you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted.

PUA 5304, Quantitative Research Methods 7

PUA 5304, Quantitative Research Methods Course Schedule

By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. Please keep this
schedule for reference as you progress through your course.

Unit I Selecting a Research Approach and Reviewing the Literature

Review:
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide

Read:
 Chapter 1: The Selection of a Research Approach
 Chapter 2: Review of the Literature
 Suggested Reading: See Study Guide

Discuss:

 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday,
11:59 p.m. (Central Time)

 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)

Submit:  Project Topic by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)

Notes/Goals:

Unit II The Use of Theory

Review:
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide

Read:
 Chapter 3: The Use of Theory
 Suggested Reading: See Study Guide

Discuss:
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday,
11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)

Submit:  Annotated Bibliography by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)

Notes/Goals:

PUA 5304, Quantitative Research Methods 8

PUA 5304, Quantitative Research Methods Course Schedule

Unit III Writing Strategies and Ethical Considerations

Review:
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide

Read:
 Chapter 4: Writing Strategies and Ethical Considerations
 Suggested Reading: See Study Guide

Discuss:
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday,
11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)

Submit:  Literature Review by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)

Notes/Goals:

Unit IV The Introduction and the Purpose Statement

Review:
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide

Read:
 Chapter 5: The Introduction
 Chapter 6: The Purpose Statement
 Suggested Reading: See Study Guide

Discuss:
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday,
11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Submit:  Project Topic by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Notes/Goals:

PUA 5304, Quantitative Research Methods 9

PUA 5304, Quantitative Research Methods Course Schedule

Unit V Research Questions and Hypotheses

Review:
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide

Read:
 Chapter 7: Research Questions and Hypotheses
 Suggested Reading: See Study Guide

Discuss:
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday,
11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Submit:  Project Topic by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Notes/Goals:

Unit VI Quantitative Methods

Review:
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide

Read:
 Chapter 8: Quantitative Methods
 Suggested Reading: See Study Guide

Discuss:
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday,
11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Submit:  Project Topic by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Notes/Goals:

PUA 5304, Quantitative Research Methods 10

PUA 5304, Quantitative Research Methods Course Schedule

Unit VII Qualitative Methods

Review:
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide

Read:  Chapter 9: Qualitative Methods

Discuss:
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday,
11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)

Submit:  Research Paper by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)

Notes/Goals:

Unit VIII Mixed Methods Procedures

Review:
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide

Read:
 Chapter 10: Mixed Methods Procedures
 Suggested Reading: See Study Guide

Discuss:
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday,
11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)

Submit:  PowerPoint Presentation by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)

Notes/Goals: