Research Methods in the Behavioral and Social Sciences

Prof. Richard P. Bagozzi

Dwight F. Benton Professor of Behavioral Science in Management, Ross School of Business, and Professor of Clinical, Social, and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan.

Ph.D. Seminar

Course Description:
This course is designed to provide conceptual and operational skills needed to undertake and interpret primary and applied research in the behavioral, managerial and social sciences. Particular focus will be on structural equation models (known also by such names as casual models, path analysis, analysis of covariance structures, simultaneous equation models with latent variables) with the aim of addressing measurement and hypothesis testing issues, as well as exploring the broader philosophical foundations and implications of the methods. We will cover such topics as reliability, validity, explanation, prediction, control, and understanding of individual, group, and organizational phenomena. Considerable emphasis will be placed on examination of assumptions, measurement, theory specification, theory operationalization, estimation of parameters, hypothesis testing, and interpretation of findings. In addition, such topics as questionnaire design, formative versus reflective indicators, confirmatory factor analysis, higher order factor models, cross- sectional and longitudinal designs, recursive and nonrecursive models, survey and experimental research, multiple group analyses, and the role of cross-cultural inquiry will be considered.

Syllabus: