1. Attendance & Participation: Students are expected to attend class on a regular basis, read text assignments prior to class, come prepared to discuss issues relevant to a particular class session, and participate actively and productively in class discussions.These are particularly important issues for this class since student-student interaction is a critical component of the learning process.We will use student-accessed literature and individual projects to discuss research and evaluation philosophy, methods and processes.

2. E-Mail and Blackboard Account:Students must activate and use their ODU student e-mail accounts. You will be responsible for checking your ODU account regularly during the semester and checking Blackboard at least twice a week for posted announcements and handouts. All students must have an activated ODU e-mail account and must appear on Blackboard no later than Friday, September 9. Since all class handouts are only available through Blackboard, it is imperative that each student confirms that his or her Blackboard account is working. It is the student's responsibility to work with OCCS in correcting any problem as the instructor is unable to correct these errors for the student. Students with problems activating their Blackboard account should immediately send an e-mail to OCCS at: occshelp@odu.edu. Blackboard can be accessed at: http://blackboard.odu.edu

3. Abstracts & Critiques: Designing a solid research study requires the ability to critically analyze the results of published research. To this end, students are required to read, summarize, and critique two research articles in their field. Each abstract/critique should be 2 – 3 pages long (Typed, Double Spaced, and should use APA style). The paper should be divided into three parts: Part 1 is the abstract; Part 2 is the critique; Part 3 is a copy of the journal article being critiqued. These articles may be used in the literature review section of the Individual Research Project. In fact, this is highly encouraged. More details to be provided under Assignments.

4. Individual Research Proposal: Students will design and present both orally and in writing an individual research or program evaluation project. This assignment will include such activities as the selection of the topic, statement of goals and objectives, research questions, literature review, and methodology. Both a written and an oral product are required. More details to be provided under Assignments.

Weight of Assignments: Grades will be determined according to the following:

Grading:

Honors Pledge: Each student is expected to abide by the honor system of Old Dominion University: "I pledge to support the honor system of Old Dominion University. I will refrain from any for of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a member of the academic community, it is my responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of the honor system. I will report to the Honor Council hearings if summoned."

College Classroom Conduct: The following standards are intended to define acceptable classroom behavior that preserves academic integrity and ensures that students have optimum environmental conditions for effective learning.

1. Students must turn off cell phones and pagers during class or have them set to vibrate mode.
2. Classes are expected to begin on time, and students will respect the time boundaries established by the professor. If classroom doors are locked, students may not knock or seek entrance in other ways.
3. Students should notify instructors in advance when a class will be missed. In the event of an emergency that causes a class to be missed, instructors must be notified as soon as possible.
4. Instructors may require that cell phones and other electronic devices be left on their desks during tests or examinations.
5. Students must not engage in extraneous conversations during classes. Such acts are considered to be violations of the Code of Student Conduct.
6. Students will activate their Old Dominion e-mail accounts and check them before each class. If the student chooses to have his/her messages forwarded to another account, it is the student's responsibility to take the necessary steps to have them forwarded.
7. Consumption of food and drink during class is prohibited, except when the professor has specifically approved of such acts.
8. Offensive language, gestures and the like are disrespectful and disruptive to the teaching-learning process.

Withdrawal: A syllabus constitutes a contract between the student and the course instructor. Participation in this course indicates your acceptance of its teaching focus, requirements, and policies. Please review the syllabus and the course requirements as soon as possible. If you believe that the nature of this course does not meet your interests, needs or expectations, if you are not prepared for the amount of work involved or if you anticipate that the class meetings, assignment deadlines or abiding by the course policies will constitute an unacceptable hardship for you, then please drop the class by the drop/add deadline, Tuesday October 25, 2005.

Office Hours: Office hours are as follows:

Mondays	1:00-4:00 p.m.
Tuesdays	1:00-4:00 p.m.
Please e-mail to schedule appointments during office hours. Other times and days available as well, by appointment.