Rehabilitation Psychology Research
194-700
Fall 2006
Syllabus

Instructor: Fong Chan

Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education
432 North Murray Street, Room 424
Phone: 262-2137 E-mail: chan@education.wisc.edu
Office Hours: 1 pm to 2 pm Mondays or by appointment

Teaching Assistant: Lisa Zheng
432 North Murray Street, Room 419
Phone: 262-7498 E-mail: xzheng3@wisc.edu
Office Hours: 9 am to 12 am Fridays

Course Goals

1. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills required to read, understand, evaluate, and use research to improve professional practice.

2. Students will acquire the tools to conduct applied disability and rehabilitation research (e.g., program evaluation) or for a master's thesis. The focus of the course will be on conceptual rather than computational aspects of research.

Required Text

None

Recommended Texts

Bellini, J.L., & Rumrill, P.D. (1999). Research in rehabilitation counseling. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas

American Psychological Association (2001). Publication manual of the APA (5th ed.). Washington. D.C.: Author.

Supplementary Readings

Chan, F., Miller, S., Pruett, S., Lee, G., & Chou, C. (2003). Rehabilitation research. In D. Maki & T. Riggar (Eds.), Handbook of Rehabilitation Counseling (pp. 159-170). New York: Springer.

Chronister, J.A., Cardoso, E., Lee, G. K., Chan, F., & Leahy, M. (2005). Evidence-based practice in case management. In F. Chan, M. Leahy, & Saunders, J. (Eds.), Case management for rehabilitation health professionals (pp. 371-389). Osage Beach, MO: Aspen Professional Services.


Timeline

9/6 Introduction and orientation; evidence-based practice
9/13 Scientific method; research proposal development, ethical research
9/20 APA writing style; literature review; computer searches
9/27 Quantitative and qualitative research methods
10/4 Studying behavior
10/11 Measurement concepts
10/18 Mid-term exam
10/25 Quantitative research designs
11/1 Quantitative research designs
11/8 Quantitative research designs
11/15 Descriptive statistics/correlations/regression
11/29 Inferential statistics (Inferential statistics, power analysis, and meta-analysis)
12/6 Qualitative research methods
12/13 Final Exam

Evaluation Criteria

Two exams: 70 points
Three homework assignments: 30 points
Attendance and class participation: 5 points
Participation in research for extra credits (approval of the instructor required): 5 points

Grade assigned as follows:
A 93-100%
AB 88-92%
B 83-87%
BC 78-82%
C 73-77%
D 60-62%
F Below 60%