This proposed project provides a microcomputer lab and software to two social science academic departments (The Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Geography, and The Department of Political Science) at Arkansas State University. The microcomputers dramatically enhance access of students to techniques of scientific analysis. Students in these departments are, with this equipment, being permitted to learn and practice principal methods of their respective social science disciplines (sociology, political science, geography, and criminology) through analysis of appropriate data sets. Existing courses are changing from the current format which is often limited to reading and writing about social science methods with occasional demonstrations and simple calculator assisted assignments to a format which engages students fully in the design and implementation of research problems using real data on relevant and timely topics with the benefit of current technology. The institution is matching the NSF grant with an equal amount of funds.
