Senior Honors Seminar II (CBA 499)
Course Content and Format: In addition to the introductory notes that apply to all of the Honors Seminars, the third seminar concentrates on data interpretation, writing/revising a research manuscript, and preparing the Honors Thesis for submission. These projects are presented to faculty, CSULB Administration, and other interested parties (e.g., business associates, CBA Advisory Board) at the end of this (Spring) semester in the program. Students also present their thesis to the next CBAHP class in the Summer following CBA 499. Visits by faculty and business professionals continue as an integral part of this seminar, although to a lesser degree than in the previous two honors seminars. If appropriate, discussion may continue regarding plans for careers/graduate school.
Required Textbooks/Course Materials: [Note: These are designed as aids for the Honors Thesis. Specific titles may change so please check for updates.]
- Anderson, David R., Dennis J. Sweeney, and Thomas A. Williams (2011), Statistics for Business and Economics, 11th Edition, Cengage Learning. [This text is used in IS 310 and is highly recommended for CBA 499.]
- David, Matthew and Carole D. Sutton (2004), Social Science Research: The Basics, Sage Publications.
- Salkind, Neil J. (2007), Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics, 3rd edition, Sage Publications. [Recommended for those with weak statistical skills, but not required.]
- Trochim, William M. K. and James P. Donnelly (2006), The Research Methods Knowledge Base, 3rd Edition, Atomic Dog Publishing.
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 sophisticated statistical analyses or writing aids may also refer to:
- Balnaves, Mark and Peter Caputi (2001), Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods: An Investigative Approach, Sage Publications.
- Cohen, Jacob et al. (2003), Applied Multiple Regression/Correlation Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences, 3rd edition, Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers.
- Hair, Joseph F., Jr., Rolph E. Anderson, Ronald L. Tatham, and William C. Black (1998), Multivariate Data Analysis, 5th edition, Prentice Hall.
- Holcomb, Zealure C. (2004), Interpreting Basic Statistics, 4th edition, Pyrczak Publishing.
- Pyrczak, Fred and Randall R. Bruce (2003), Writing Empirical Research Reports, 4th edition, Pryczak Publishing.
Course Requirements/Assignments: This semester centers around completion of the Honors Thesis. Thus, students spend considerable time with their thesis supervisor and the Director of the Honors Program (who teaches the seminar) making these manuscripts ‘perfect’ (i.e., in accordance with standards set forth by the Program Director, the CBA, and the University). In anticipation of the formal oral presentations of these works, time is allocated to preparing effective presentations, including designing effective presentation aids (e.g., visual aids, computer-based presentations). Class participation is required and is considered when course grades are assigned. Students who have made sufficient progress with their thesis are urged to enter the annual CSU Student Research Competition in February.
NOTE: A complete course syllabus is provided by the assigned instructor and thus, may change from year to year. The above is meant to provide general insight about CBA 499.