SOC 4860 - Senior Capstone
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 41376,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Dr. Amanda Fehlbaum
Email: afehlbaum@ysu.edu
Course Description
4860. A capstone experience for the major in Sociology. Designing, implementing, and completing an empirical research project or paper on a topic approved by the capstone advisor. Prereq.: Senior status in Sociology; SOC 4850. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | The Art and Science of Social Research. 2nd Ed. | Carr, Deborah, et al. | 9780393537529 |
- Arthur, Mikaila Mariel Lemonik. 2021. "Preparing Quantiative Data and Data Management," in Social Data Analysis. Pressbooks. Web.
- Arthur, Mikaila Mariel Lemonik. 2021. "Quantitative Data Analysis with SPSS: Getting Started," in Social Data Analysis. Pressbooks. Web.
- Arthur, Mikaila Mariel Lemonik. 2021. "Presenting the Results of Qualitative Data Analysis," in Social Data Analysis. Pressbooks. Web.
- Arthur, Mikaila Mariel Lemonik. 2021. "Presenting the Results of Quantitative Data Analysis," in Social Data Analysis. Pressbooks. Web.
- Chen, Victor Tan, et al. (n.d.) "Presenting Your Research" in The Craft of Sociological Research. Pressbooks. Web.
- Gordon, Liahna E. “Reviewing the Literature” in Real Research, 2nd Ed. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
- Guest, Greg, Arwen Bunce, and Laura Johnson. "How Many Interviews Are Enough? An Experiment with Data Saturation and Variability." Field Methods 18.1 (2006). 59-82.
- Purdue OWL (2026) ASA References page formatting
- University of California Berkeley Library. 2026. Sociology: Lit Reviews.
Recommended Resources:
- Oregon State University Department of Sociology. Writing Within Sociology: A Guide for Undergraduates.
- The University of California Berkeley Department of Sociology. 2011. Writing for Sociology, 2nd Edition.
This course is First Day Ready which means that your book is included as part of your tuition and fees. You may opt-out of these charges though it is strongly discouraged.
Students are required to have access to Blackboard as this course takes place online. These are the computer lab locations on campus.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | • Syllabus • Review relevant methods chapters in ASSR • Instructor Micro-Lecture: Welcome to the Capstone |
PHASE 1 - DESIGN Refining Your Research Foundation |
• Upload SOC 4850 Proposal + Feedback Received • Design Path Selection Form • Weekly Meeting Prep Agenda 1 • Request Cayuse Log-In |
| 8/31 | • ASSR: Review relevant chapters on research question and theory • Instructor Handout: Reading for Synthesis |
PHASE 1 - DESIGN The Research Question |
• Research Question Brief • Studio Thread #1 • Weekly Meeting Prep Agenda 2 |
| 9/7 | • ASSR: Chapter 6 - Sampling & Recruitment • For Qualitative Students: "How Many Interviews Are Enough?" in Field Methods |
PHASE 1 - DESIGN Design, Sampling, and Research Drafting |
• Draft Instrument for Review • Studio Thread #2 • Weekly Meeting Prep Agenda 3 |
| 9/14 | • Cayuse User Guides • ASA Code of Ethics (2018) • Instructor Handout: Data Security & IRB-Compliant Storage |
PHASE 2 - Ethics & IRB Research Ethics & the IRB |
• Data Collection Protocol - Final (Instructor approval required) • Studio Thread #3 • Weekly Meeting Prep Agenda 4 |
| 9/21 | • Informed Consent Template • Cayuse Submission Walkthrough |
PHASE 2 - Ethics & IRB Submitting to the IRB |
• Instrument and Consent Packet • Cayuse IRB Application Submitted • Studio Thread #4 • Weekly Meeting Prep Agenda 5 |
| 9/28 | • ASSR: Ch. 5 - Evaluating Research • Gordon, "Reviewing the Literature" • UC Berkeley Sociology: Lit Reviews |
PHASE 3 - LITERATURE FOUNDATION & LAUNCH Rebuilding the Literature Foundation |
• Research Plan Template • Annotated Bibliography Rebuild • Studio Thread #5 • Weekly Meeting Prep Agenda 6 |
| 10/5 | • Instructor Handout: Building a Literature Synthesis Matrix | PHASE 3 - LITERATURE FOUNDATION & LAUNCH From Sources to Synthesis |
• Literature Synthesis Matrix • Studio Thread #6 • Weekly Meeting Prep Agenda 7 • Data collection opens upon IRB approval |
| 10/12 | • For Quantitative Students: "Preparing Quantitative Data and Data Management" in Social Data Analysis | PHASE 3 - LITERATURE FOUNDATION & LAUNCH Writing the Literature Review / Collection Begins |
• Literature Review Draft • Data Collection Log - Entry 1 • Studio Thread #7 • Weekly Meeting Prep Agenda 8 |
| 10/19 | • Instructor Handout: Writing the Methods Section | PHASE 4 - FIELDWORK & METHODS Methods & Positionality |
• Methods Section Draft • Positionality Reflection • Data Collection Log - Entry 2 • Studio Thread #8 • Weekly Meeting Prep Agenda 9 |
| 10/26 | • For Quantitative Students: "Quantitative Analysis with SPSS: Getting Started" in Social Data Analysis | PHASE 4 - FIELDWORK & METHODS Managing Data in the Field |
• Data Organization Audit • Data Collection Log - Entry 3 • Studio Thread #9 • Weekly Meeting Prep Agenda 10 |
| 11/2 | • For Quantitative Students: ASSR - Chapter 13 - Univariate and Bivariate Analysis of Quantitative Data • For Qualitative Students: ASSR: Chapter 17 - Analysis of Qualitative Data |
PHASE 4 - FIELDWORK & METHODS Closing Collection |
• Analysis-Ready Data Checkpoint • Data Collection Log - Entry 4 • Studio Thread #10 • Weekly Meeting Prep Agenda 11 ** DATA COLLECTION CLOSES NOV. 8 ** |
| 11/9 | • For Qualitative Students: "Presenting the Results of Qualitative Analysis" in Social Data Analysis • For Quantitative Students: "Presenting the Results of Quantitative Data Analysis" in Social Data Analysis |
PHASE 5 - ANALYSIS Data Analysis |
• Preliminary Analysis Memo • Studio Thread #11 • Weekly Meeting Prep Agenda 12 |
| 11/16 | • ASSR: Chapter 14 - Communicating Science Research Findings • Purdue OWL's ASA References Page |
PHASE 6 - DRAFTING Writing the Research Paper |
• Full Draft of Research Paper - DUE Nov 18 • Studio Thread #12 • Weekly Meeting Prep Agenda 13 |
| 11/23 | • Written Feedback on Full Draft (Returned by Nov 22) | PHASE 6 - DRAFTING Feedback & Thanksgiving Break |
• Optional Meeting Mon or Tues |
| 11/30 | • "Presenting Your Research" in The Craft of Sociological Research • Instructor Handout: How to Present Sociological Research |
PHASE 7 - Revision & Launch Out Presenting & Professionalizing |
• Structured Self-Review and Revision Plan • Revised Resume/CV + Linked In Update • Weekly Meeting Prep Agenda 14 • Writing Center Session Documented |
| 12/7 | PHASE 7 - Revision & Launch Presenting, Reflecting, and Looking Forward |
• Research Presentation Due Dec. 9 • Elevator Pitch Due Dec 9 • Final Paper Due Dec 11 • Capstone Reflection + Senior Exit Survey Due Dec 11 • Final Debrief Meeting |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.