Syllabus

CCL 660: Research Methods & Data – Spring AB 2026

Credits - 3

Description

Interdisciplinary research is vital for better understanding the impacts of climate change and developing innovative, effective solutions. This course equips students with disciplinary knowledge, analytical tools, and methodological frameworks that can be leveraged to address the complex, interconnected challenges of climate change. Drawing from the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and engineering fields, students will explore diverse research data collection and analysis methods—including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches. This course will focus heavily on examining climate change through a systems-thinking lens, recognizing the importance of engaging with relevant parties, and promoting opportunities to integrate approaches from across disciplines, with a focus on elements of marine science, global health, and sustainable business.

Materials

All resources are Open Educational Resources (OER) and are available to students at no cost.

  • The literature on climate change is vast. There is no required book for the course. Instead, we will read and listen to a collection of publications, popular science articles, podcasts, and videos.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Analyze climate change challenges and potential solutions through an interdisciplinary lens
  • Examine a range of disciplines that are relevant for addressing climate change, including from the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and engineering fields with an emphasis on elements of public health, marine science, and sustainable business
  • Describe how different types of data are collected and interpreted to address climate issues and better understand the implications of innovative climate approaches
  • Apply appropriate research methods and analysis techniques from multiple disciplines to climate-related case studies
  • Consider the importance of effective science communication
  • Explain the significance of clear and accurate communication of climate science and data
  • Communicate climate science and related data in oral, visual, and written formats to diverse audiences

Assignments

Exploration into Place-Based Climate Research: the Past, Present, and Future Directions for Global Cities – Three Parts

  • Group Project, Part 1: Climate Impacts Assessment (Week 5): Conduct a systems inventory of climate impacts in your case study community using available data and research.

  • Group Project, Part 2: Identification of Relevant Parties (Week 10): Identify and analyze the key groups and actors affected by or involved in climate issues in your case study.

  • Week 14 Assignment: Future Visions for Interdisciplinary Research (Week 14): Propose an interdisciplinary research project for your case study community, including rationale, research questions, data approaches, and communication strategies. This portion will be completed individually.

Climate Strategies Video Assignment (Weeks 8–10)

Students will create a short video presentation on an innovative climate strategy (e.g., marine science, public health, or sustainable business), explaining the research that informs it and how interdisciplinarity can strengthen it. 

Interdisciplinary Data Analysis and Science Communication Project (Weeks 11–13)

Analyze real-world interdisciplinary datasets from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and create a presentation that communicates findings clearly and effectively to non-scientific audiences.

Synchronous Activities

  • Week 3: Research Panel
    Live panel with interdisciplinary researchers discussing their climate change work, challenges, and opportunities.
  • Week 6: Humanities Workshop
    Optional (but encouraged) interactive session with an arts-based climate researcher and an oral historian exploring creative and human-centered approaches to climate change.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Academic Integrity Agreement1
Week 1 Discussion Board Introduction2
Week 2 Activity: Interdisciplinarity (Padlet)3
Week 2 Assignment: Prepare for Panel Discussion next week (questions)3
Week 2 Assignment - eJournal Entry: Reflection about Place-Based Climate Challenges and Systems Thinking4
Week 3 Discussion: Climate Resources/Tools Examination4
Week 3 Assignment - eJournal Entry: Panel Reflection4
Week 4 and 5 Discussion: Climate Change Research Study6
Week 4 Assignment: Group Contract3
Week 5 Assignment: Climate Impacts Assessment (Group Project - Part 1)8
Week 5 Assignment: eJournal Entry: Reflection on Community Science Gathering Activity3
Week 5 Discussion: Knowledge Systems for Climate Action4
Week 6 Assignment: eJournal Reflection on Interview and Reflection4
Week 6 Discussion: Optional Humanities Workshop0
Week 7 Discussion: Role Playing Activity 5
Week 7 Assignment: Climate Strategies Video Assignment (Topic Choice)1
Week 8 Assignment: Group Project Progress Report4
Week 8 Discussion: Introduction to Innovative Climate Strategies4
Week 9 Discussion: Social Dimensions of Climate Strategies4
Week 10 Discussion: Technological and Engineering Aspects of Climate Change4
Week 10 Assignment: Identification of Relevant Parties (Group Project - Part 2)8
Week 11 Discussion: Science Communication4
Week 13 Discussion: Interdisciplinary Data Analysis and Science Communication Project5
Week 13: Career Ready eJournal Entry1
Week 14 Assignment: Future Visions for Interdisciplinary Research 10
Week 14: Capstone Connection Journal1
Total100

Grade Scale

Grade Points Grade Point Average (GPA)
A 94 – 100% 4.00
A- 90 – 93% 3.75
B+ 87 – 89% 3.50
B 84 – 86% 3.00
B- 80 – 83% 2.75
C+ 77 – 79% 2.50
C 74 – 76% 2.00
C- 70 – 73% 1.75
D 64 – 69% 1.00
F 00 – 63% 0.00

Schedule

Course Schedule:

Spring AB Session – 1/14/2026 – 4/26/2026

Week 1: Wednesday – Sunday
Week 2: Monday – Sunday
Week 3: Monday – Sunday
Week 4: Monday – Sunday
Week 5: Monday – Sunday
Week 6: Monday – Sunday
Week 7: Monday – Sunday
Week 8: Monday – Sunday
Spring Break Monday – Sunday
Week 9: Monday – Sunday
Week 10: Monday – Sunday
Week 11: Monday – Sunday
Week 12: Monday – Sunday
Week 13: Monday – Sunday
Week 14: Monday – Sunday

Week 1: Interdisciplinary Approaches and Wicked Problems

  • Focus: Explore climate change as a wicked problem and consider how interdisciplinarity is essential for addressing it.
  • Assignments:
    • Week 1 Discussion: Introductions

Week 2: Systems Thinking

  • Focus: Examine systems thinking concepts—feedback loops, tipping points, and leverage points—and connect them to place-based climate challenges.
  • Assignments:
    • Week 2 Assignment: Interdisciplinarity (Padlet)
    • Week 2 Assignment – E Journal Entry: Reflection about Place-Based Climate Challenges and Systems Thinking
    • (Optional) Week 2 Activity: Systems Thinking Analogies

Week 3: Introduction to Research Fields

  • Focus: Engage with the four main research fields and learn from a panel of interdisciplinary researchers.
  • Assignments:
    • Week 3 Discussion: Climate Resources/Tools Examination
    • Week 3 Assignment – E Journal Entry: Panel Reflection

Week 4: Disciplinary Focus

  • Focus: Investigate how disciplines such as marine science, public health, and sustainable business integrate to address climate change, while forming groups and creating project contracts.
  • Assignments:
    • Week 4 and 5 Discussion: Climate Change Research Study – Initial Post
    • Week 4 Assignment: Group Contract

Week 5: Quantitative Approaches

  • Focus: Apply quantitative research methods through community science platforms and begin the Climate Impacts Assessment group project.
  • Assignments:
    • Week 4 and 5 Discussion: Climate Change Research Study – Responses
    • Week 5 Discussion: Knowledge Systems for Climate Action
    • Week 5 Assignment: Climate Impacts Assessment (Group Project – Part 1)
    • Week 5 Assignment: eJournal Entry: Reflection on Community Science Gathering Activity

Week 6: Qualitative and Mixed Methods Approaches

  • Focus: Explore qualitative and mixed methods approaches by conducting an interview and reflecting on the role of the humanities in climate research.
  • Assignments:
    • Week 6 Discussion: Humanities Workshop
    • Week 6 Assignment: eJournal Reflection on Interview and Reflection

Week 7: Engaging Relevant Actors in Research

  • Focus: Analyze how to identify and engage relevant parties in climate research through role-play and ethical frameworks.
  • Assignments:
    • Week 7 Group Discussion: Role-Playing Activity

Week 8: Research-informed Climate Strategies

  • Focus: Share and evaluate research-informed climate strategies with a focus on marine science and coastal ecosystems, while submitting group progress reports.
  • Assignments:
    • Week 8 Discussion: Introduction to Innovative Climate Strategies
    • Week 8 Assignment: Group Project Progress Report

Week 9: Research-informed Climate Strategies

  • Focus: Continue examining research-informed climate strategies, focusing on public health and urban spaces.
  • Assignments:
    • Week 9 Discussion: Social Dimensions of Climate Strategies

Week 10: Research-informed Climate Strategies

  • Focus: Investigate sustainable business and technological strategies for climate action, alongside identifying key relevant parties for the group project.
  • Assignments:
    • Week 10 Discussion: Technological and Engineering Aspects of Climate Change
    • Week 10 Assignment: Identification of Relevant Parties (Group Project – Part 2)

Week 11: Interdisciplinary Data Analysis and Science Communication

  • Focus: Begin interdisciplinary data analysis using GMRI datasets and practice principles of effective science communication.
  • Assignments:
    • Week 11 Discussion: Science Communication

Week 12: Interdisciplinary Data Analysis and Science Communication

  • Focus: Dedicate time to completing data analysis and planning communication strategies for presenting findings.
  • Assignments:
    • This week is dedicated time for you and your group to continue making progress on your final project. There is no assignment to submit, but you should use this week to focus on completing remaining tasks, finalizing research, and preparing your deliverables. Stay in close communication with your group to make sure responsibilities are clear and deadlines are being met.

Week 13: Interdisciplinary Data Analysis and Science Communication

  • Focus: Present interdisciplinary data analysis projects and practice tailoring science communication for diverse audiences.
  • Assignments:
    • Week 13 Discussion: Interdisciplinary Data Analysis and Science Communication Project

Week 14: Reflection

  • Focus: Conclude with reflections on the semester and propose future interdisciplinary research visions.
  • Assignments:
    • Week 14: Final Project – Future Visions for Interdisciplinary Research

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

UNE Libraries:

UNE Student Academic Success Center

UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:

Information Technology Services (ITS)

  • ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.

Career Ready Program

The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!

The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.

Policies

Passing Grade Statement

A grade of 80% or higher is required to pass the course. A grade lower than 80% will result in you having to repeat the course. Obtaining two "Fs" in the program will result in dismissal from the program.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Statement

Learning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly and ethically is an important skill in today’s society. AI is not a substitute for developing and enhancing skills in creativity, logic, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, theorization, and writing essential to a public health professional. If you choose to use AI tools, such as ChatGPT and DALL-E2, they must be used wisely and intelligently to deepen your understanding of a subject matter and support learning. You are not allowed to use AI tools to generate your work. Content produced using AI tools cannot be used as a substitute for your original work.

Students in the Climate Change Leadership Program must take ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of AI-generated content used in any work. You are expected to think critically about the results and alignment with the questions or tasks in the assignment and never substitute AI-generated results for professional human judgment and logic. Students are also expected to understand that the information generated is not always accurate and, in some cases, propagates discrimination and bias. You must stay abreast of AI best practices, and the changing risks and benefits, and monitor AI for biases and risks for vulnerable populations and underrepresented groups.

Within the Program, using AI-generated content in academic work falls under our academic integrity policies. All instructors will continue to use our AI detection software for each assignment submitted so it will be flagged.

Using any AI tool in your work must be acknowledged in-text every time it is used, not in your list of references. You will include a summary of what the AI tool was used to do, followed by the AI tool brand name, version/extension #, manufacturer/owner, and date used in parentheses.

For example, 

Themes from participant responses were identified using a chatbot session (ChatGPT, model GPT-4, OpenAI, May 17, 2025).

Failure to acknowledge the inclusion of AI-generated content in any work submitted violates our academic integrity policies and will be considered an infraction with the associated penalties for plagiarism as outlined in the Student Handbook.

The Student Orientation has a module "Artificial Intelligence Literacy for Students", please refer to this module for more information about navigating the use of AI.

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in proper citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Late Policy

Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.

Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes and tests must be completed by the due date. They will not be accepted after the due date.

Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit https://www.une.edu/studentlife/plagiarism.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.

Attendance Policy

6- to 8-week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

10+ -week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.