ANZ-309: Research Methods I

This course introduces students to qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method research methods, and their application in anthrozoology. This course provides a basic introduction to the principles, methods, and techniques of empirical social research. Emphasis is on qualitative and quantitative research approaches, experimental design, sampling, measurement, analysis, ethics in research, and literature review. Topics include the fundamentals of the scientific method and scientific inquiry, ethical considerations in research, basic methods of quantitative and qualitative data collection, and strengths and weaknesses of various data collection methods. At the end of the semester, students will have chosen a research topic and will have written a proposal that will be used as the basis for each student’s work in ANZ 310, which will be taken in the spring. Research projects including interactions with human/animal subjects will seek IRB/IACUC approval.