Assigned Readings
Locke, L.F., Silverman, S.J. & Spirduso, W.W. (2004). Ch. 4 - How to select and read research reports. In Reading & Understanding Research, 2nd Ed., p. 59-76. e-reserve

Swisher, M.E. (2007) Common complaints of the inexperienced reader.

Recommended Readings
Shoemaker et al., Ch. 1

Advance Preparation
1. Bring a piece of art or literature that you really like, something that really appeals to your senses, to class to share. This can be a painting or sculpture that you think is beautiful (or a picture of it), a poem that moves you -- anything at all that you can reasonably share with us in class.

2. Bring this Learning to Use Abstracts to class with you.

3. Bring these Examples of Abstracts and Examples of Abstracts 2 to class.

Discussion Guide
Discussion Guide to Overview The discussion guides contain two sets of questions. You should be able to answer the first set of questions based primarily on the assigned readings. I always assume that you have read the assigned readings prior to class. I therefore assume that you know the basic answers to these questions prior to class, although our classroom discussions and activities will help you develop more in-depth, sophisticated answers. The Discussion Questions are based almost entirely on the understanding that you should gain during class itself. We will sometimes go over these questions in class. Even when we do not cover the questions in class, you should review them yourself. If you cannot answer the discussion questions after completing the class session, you are not prepared to complete the assignments in a satisfactory manner. The discussion questions are directed at the kinds of issues about research design that I expect you to cover in your assignments.