Senior Honors Seminar I (CBA 497)
Course Content and Format: In addition to the introductory notes that apply to all of the Honors Seminars, this course will explore sampling and data analysis in greater detail, utilizing sophisticated statistical software (after understanding the underlying foundations of such statistical analyses). It is expected that students perform the majority of the data collection and data analysis for their Honors Thesis during this semester. Each student submits the first two chapters of their Honors Project (i.e., Introduction/Literature Review and Methodology) at the end of this (Fall) semester. A major component of the seminar is visits by faculty and business professionals. Discussion also examines future career plans, including applying for graduate school.
Required Textbooks/Course Materials: [Note: These may change so please check for updates.]
- Balnaves, Mark and Peter Caputi (2001), Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods: An Investigative Approach, Sage Publications.
- Burns, Robert B. (2000), Introduction to Research Methods, Sage Publication
- Harris, Robert A. (2002), Creative Problem Solving, Pryczak Publishing.
- Holcomb, Zealure C. (2004), Interpreting Basic Statistics, 4th edition, Pyrczak Publishing.
- Lomand, Turner C. (2002), Social Science Research, 3rd edition, Pyrczak Publishing.
- Patten, Mildred L. (2002), Proposing Empirical Research, 2nd edition, Pyrczak Publishing.
- Patten, Mildred L. (2004), Understanding Research Methods, 4th edition, Pyrczak Publishing.
- Pyrczak, Fred & Randall R. Bruce (2003), Writing Empirical Research Reports, 4th edition, Pryczak Publishing.
- Salkind, Neil J. (2004), Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics, 2nd edition, Sage Publications.
Additional/Supplemental Required Readings: Reading lists are distributed prior to each visit by a faculty/business professional (i.e., they relate to the content to be presented by the visiting scholar or business executive). Students are expected to read such materials prior to class in order that they may make a valuable contribution to class discussion.
Optional/Supplemental Materials: Students interested in the ‘thesis track’ and/or sophisticated statistical analyses may also refer to:
- Hair, Joseph F., Jr., Rolph E. Anderson, Ronald L. Tatham, and William C. Black (1998), Multivariate Data Analysis, 5th edition, Prentice Hall.
- Levin, Irwin P. (1999), Relating Statistics and Experimental Design: An Introduction, Sage Publications.
- Pyrczak, Fred (2000), Completing Your Thesis or Dissertation, Pryczak Publishing.
Course Requirements/Assignments: By the end of this semester, each student must submit a proposal for their Honors Theses for approval by the Director ofthe CBA Honors Program. Additional written assignments require personal insight, creative problem-solving, strategic planning, and team/leadership skills. These endeavors vary in format (depending on student and participating expert interests): e.g., case studies, interpretation of empirical research, critical reviews of research and/or business strategies, business plan development, financial portfolio assessments. Exams are still under consideration, although a 'given' is that they be of an essay format requiring individual thought, insight, and creativity. Class participation is required and is considered when assigning final course grades.