University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
School of Information and Library Science

INLS 781, Proposal Development
Fall 2016

SYLLABUS

Course description / Textbook and readings / Assignments and evaluation

Syllabus / Schedule / Assignments / Additional Readings / Sakai site

Instructor: Barbara Wildemuth
Office: 109 Manning Hall
Email: wildemuth@unc.edu
Phone: 919-962-8072 (office); 919-968-3018 (home)

Class meetings: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30-10:45, August 23-October 6 (1.5 credits), in 014 Manning Hall

Schedule (today) / Assignments / Additional Readings / Sakai site for class

Course Description

During this course, each student will develop a proposal for the work to be completed during the following semester, in the master's paper/project (INLS 992). A required prerequisite course is INLS 581, Research Methods Overview.

Textbook and readings

The required text for the course is: Punch, K.F. (2016). Developing Effective Research Proposals. 3rd ed. Sage. We will read the entirety of this book and use it to structure our work together.

In addition, we will read several chapters from: Wildemuth, B.M. (2009). Applications of Social Research Methods to Questions in Information and Library Science. Libraries Unlimited. It may be useful for you to have a copy of it available for your own use. It will also be available on reserve at the SILS Library.

Additional required readings are listed on the class schedule. In addition, class members will be reading independently, in support of their proposal development. You will be expected to report on some of these readings during class discussion, as noted on the class schedule.

Assignments and grading

The course grade will be based on the completed proposal (85%, due October 24) plus class participation (15%).

Library and lab resources

You will be using SILS library and lab resources during the course of the semester. Please remember that many of your fellow students also need to use the same material. Follow the proper checkout procedures and return materials promptly to be a good SILS citizen.

The Honor Code

The UNC Honor Code, which prohibits giving or receiving unauthorized aid in the completion of assignments, is in effect in this class. The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance gives examples of actions that constitute academic dishonesty.

There are some specific guidelines for this class.

• I encourage you to discuss the issues raised in class or by the readings with each other. Class time will be used for this purpose, but such discussions are also appropriate outside of class meetings.
• You may give and receive assistance regarding the use of hardware and software, including statistical analysis software.
• You will be expected to read and critique your classmates' work, as noted on the class schedule. While this activity may also give you ideas for your own work, each student's proposal is expected to be unique. If you have any questions about the influences of your classmates' thinking on your own work, please discuss them with me.

Other course policies

• You are encouraged and expected to participate in discussions, both during class sessions and on the Web-based discussion forum.
• Reading assignments should be done before class so that you can ask questions and participate in discussions.
• All cell phones and beepers should be turned off during class; there should be no text messaging during class.
• If there is something you don't understand, ask a question! If you don't want to ask during class, come to my office.
• Homework assignments must be turned in at the beginning of the class in which they are due. This policy includes reviews/critiques of each other's work, as indicated on the class schedule.

Syllabus / Schedule (today) / Assignments / Additional Readings / Sakai site for class