IS4800 - Empirical Research Methods in Information Science

 

[Syllabus] [Schedule] [Homework] [Projects] [Bibliography] [Resources] [Directory] [Grads]

 

  Graduate Empirical Research Methods Course (CS6350 & CS6351)

 

Extra requirements for graduate students: In addition to the undergraduate course requirements, graduate students must each design one additional publication-quality empirical research study and attend one extra one-hour seminar meeting per week during the semester. The study must be on a topic and use methods approved by the instructor. Graduate students must submit a seven-page proposal on the study and analysis techniques to be used, along with full application materials for Northeastern IRB approval by the end of the semester. In addition to project presentations, the seminar meetings will be used to critique study designs from the current HCI and health informatics literature.

 

Project proposals: Preliminary 5-page study proposals must be submitted prior to spring break. Final study proposals must be submitted by the end of the semester following the NIH R21 format (1 page Specific Aims plus 6 page Research Strategy sections only, with the latter organized into Significance, Innovation, and Approach sections).

 

Homework: The homework in the table below is in lieu of the IS4800 homeworks, and you do not need to do the IS4800 team projects.

 

IRB application & Study protocol: By the end of the semester, you must turn in a full Northeastern IRB application to the instructor, including any consent forms and other materials the IRB would require. You must also turn in a full study protocol, which includes step-by-step instructions for running the study that would enable a layperson to run the study.

 

Seminar Schedule: We will spend the first half of the semester reviewing and critiquing studies from the HCI and health informatics literature. During each of these classes three students will each present the work and their critique (10 minutes each). Thereafter, all students will discuss and critique it. Following the midterm, students will present advanced study designs and statistical analysis techniques, with two students assigned to each give a 20 minute tutorial on a particular technique. Students assigned to present (critiques ro tutorials) must obtain approval from the instructor on the topic and paper to present, and send the paper to the class (cs6350@ccs.neu.edu) at least 3 days before class so all can read it.

 

Seminar Meeting (CS6351): Mondays 4:35-5:35, BK007

 

Date

Topics & Readings

Week

 

1/8

Introduction, Plan logistics

Homework: find good/bad study examples to present. Start thinking about project topic (do not turn in).

1/15

HOLIDAY: NO CS6350 MEET

Homework:  Complete the NIH human subjects training course and send me your completion certificate (due 1/19).

1/22

Past study critique: Teresa, Mengyue

Homework: Do the 4800 exercise I2 (brief 1-hour observational study) but in a context related to your research area of interest (due 1/30).

1/29

Past study critique: Kelsey, Janice

Homework: Do the 4800 exercise I3 (usability test), but ideally on a system related to your interest. You can work in pairs. (due 2/6)

2/5

Past study critique: Bhargavi, Yash

Homework: Do the 4800 exercise I4 (questionnaire) on a topic related to your interest. You can work in pairs. (due 2/16)

2/12

All: Present preliminary project ideas (5 min - purpose, hypotheses, basic design, measures)

Homework: Draft Specific Aims for your proposal (1 page). (due 2/19)

2/19

HOLIDAY: NO CS6350 MEET

Homework: Draft the Significance section of your project proposal (1-2 pages).  (due 2/26)

2/26

Five-page project proposals due (3/2)

Present & discuss: all.

 

SPRING BREAK

3/12

Past study critiques: 1) Zhe; 2) Akash

 

3/19

Advanced study design & analysis: 1) Ryan ; 2) Mansi

 

3/26

Advanced study design & analysis: 1) Shruthi ; 2) Teresa & Kelsey

 

4/2

Advanced study design & analysis: 1) Nathan; 2) Mengyue


4/9

Wrapup. Final discussion of projects.


4/16

NO SEMINAR MEET

4/13 Final project presentations: Teresa, Mengyue, Kelsey, Janice, Ryan, Shruthi

4/17 Final project presentations: Bhargavi, Yash, Zhe, Akash, Mansi, Nathan

 

Grades will be based on the following:

 

Resources:

Some suggested papers for review (but better for you to find your own related to your research interests):

Some papers for Advanced Design discussions: