Communication Research Methods
C & J 301
Fall 2009
Tues. & Thurs., 2:00-3:15
Woodward Hall 147
Dr. Judith Hendry, Instructor
Phone:
277-2197
Office:
C&J 227
Office
Hours: Tues. & Thurs., 10:30-12:00
Course Description
Course
Objectives
á
To
gain a basic understanding of the methods used to conduct research
á
To
learn how to create a research question and develop a research plan
á
To
learn how to use various data bases of published research
á
To
learn to comprehend, synthesize, and report published research
á To become
critical consumers of research through critical evaluation of the
methods and procedures
Required Textbook &
Materials
John Reinard (2001). Introduction
to Communication Research (4th Edition). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Students will also be
required to purchase a Supplemental Materials Packet. The
cost of this packet is approximately $5.00 and can be purchased from Education
Printing Services. (They donÕt take credit cards.)
Course Requirements and
Grading
The following criteria will be used to determine your final grade based on straight percentage of a possible 280 points. In addition to the graded assignments, students are expected to attend class, participate in classroom discussions and exercises, and keep up with the assigned readings.
4 quizzes @ 25 points
each (lowest score will be dropped) 75
Introduction
and Problem Statement Paper 20
Sample
Literature Review 15
Review
of Literature 50
Final
Paper 75
APA
Source Citation Assignment 15
Qualitative
Study Analysis Assignment 15
Quantitative
Study Analysis Assignment 15
Total
points 280*
*The final grade will be
calculated by straight percentage of earned points to the total points.
Grade scale:
280-272
= A+ 224-216 = C+
271-262
= A 215-206 = C
261-253
= A- 205-197 = C-
252-244
= B+ 196-188 = D+
243-234
= B 187-178 = D
233-225
= B- 177-168
= D-
Description of Graded
Assignments
Introduction and Problem
Statement Paper (20 Points)
This
is the first of three papers that will be combined to create the rationale and
design for a research project. While you will not actually conduct the research that you discuss in
these three papers, the study must be set up in such a way that it could
actually be done. This first paper
will introduce your research and the research question(s) you will
explore. This section of the
research project also discusses the relevance of your chosen topic to the field
of communication and will justify its significance. This paper is expected to be 1-2 pages in length.*
Sample
Literature Review (15 points)
For
this assignment you will summarize only one of the studies that will later be
included in your literature review. You should also include the reference list citation for this study. This will serve as a Òpractice runÓ for
correcting errors before you turn in the full literature review. This will probably be one page or less.*
Review
of Literature (50 points)
This
paper will summarize the relevant research that has already been done in the
area of study you have chosen to explore for your own research. This paper fundamentally answers the question,
Òwhat do we already know about this subject?Ó This paper is expected to be 5-7 pages in length and should
include a complete reference list at the end.*
Final
Paper (75 points)
The
final paper includes the recommended revisions of the first two papers plus the
methodology section which details how you will carry out your research. This section includes operational
definitions, the sampling plan, and a discussion of the methods of data
analysis that you will employ. The
methodology section is expected to be 4-6 pages in length.*
*All papers should
follow APA source citation format.
*Papers must be typed
and attention should be paid to the crafting of the paper
(typos, spelling, grammar,
punctuation, sentence structure, organization, etc.)
*No
emailed papers, please.
APA Source Citation Assignment (15 points)
This
assignment is geared to give you working experience with the somewhat
complicated source citation format that is used in our academic journals. Since most of the Communication journals
use the American Psychological Association (APA) format style, this is the one
we will use for this assignment as well as in the papers described above. For this assignment, you will be given
a list of different types of sources (book, journal, magazine, Web site, etc.)
and asked to correctly site these as if they were in the text of a paper or on
a reference list.
Study Analysis Assignment (2 @ 15 points each)
You
will be asked to read a study (one quantitative and one qualitative) published
in a Communication journal and analyze this research. This is not a paper. You will be given specific questions to answer that will require short
or one-sentence answers. The
instructor will also supply a copy of the study you are to analyze.
Quizzes
(25 points each)
There
will be no midterm or final exams but there will be 4 quizzes covering the
material in the textbook, handouts, lectures, and class discussions. You will be allowed to drop your lowest
quiz score. There will be no
make-up for missed quizzes. However,
you may arrange to take a quiz prior to the class period in which it will be
given if you know you will be unable to attend class that day.
Policies
Attendance: Because this course requires the
studentsÕ involvement in class exercises and discussions, attendance is
essential. Students are allowed 4
free absences. After that, 3 points will be
deducted for each absence from the studentÕs total points at the end of the
semester. Attendance will be taken
at the beginning of each class period and late arrivals are responsible for
insuring that their name gets on the attendance sign-up sheet.
Graded
Assignments: Students are
expected to complete all assignments and turn them in by the beginning of the
class period on the specified dates. Due dates for graded assignments are printed in bold
letters on the daily course schedule. Points will be deducted for late submissions.
ADA
Accessibility
Qualified
students with disabilities needing appropriate academic adjustments should
contact me as soon as possible to ensure your needs are met in a timely manner.
Handouts are available in alternative accessible formats upon request.
Diversity
This
course encourages different perspectives related to such factors as gender,
race, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, and other relevant
cultural identities. This course seeks to foster understanding and
inclusiveness related to such diverse perspectives and ways of communicating.
Ethics
The
course emphasizes ethical practices and perspectives. Above all, students and
instructors should strive to communicate and act, both in class interactions
and in assigned coursework, in a manner directed by personal integrity,
honesty, and respect for self and others. Included in this focus is the need
for academic honesty by students as stated by the UNM Pathfinder. Students need to do
original work and properly cite sources. For example, be aware of
plagiarism—directly copying more than 3 or 4 words from another author
without quoting (not just citing) the author is plagiarism. Further, course
content will encourage ethical practices.
Daily
Schedule: We will be following
the course as it is outlined in the daily schedule. However, Dr. Hendry reserves the right to make minor
adjustments to the schedule as necessary. Students will be given ample, fair notification of any necessary
changes.
Welcome to the
Class
_______________________________________________________________________
Daily Schedule
Date Assigned Readings
(To
be completed by the
corresponding
class period)
Aug.
T.
25 Introduction to the Course: Why
Study Research Methods?
Th.
27 Types of
Qualitative Studies Chapter 1
Sept.
T.
1 Types of Quantitative Studies
Th.
3 Problem
Statements and Hypotheses Chapter 2
Qualitative Study Analysis Due
T.
8 Dependent and Independent Variables
Th.
10 Theoretic
Conceptualizations Chapter
3
T.
15 Levels of
Measurement Chapter 4
Th.
17 Reliability &
Validity
Introduction/Problem Statement Papers Due
T.
22 Catch-up & Review
Th.
24 Quiz One
(Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 4)
T.
29 Sources
of Communication Research
Meet in Zimmerman B-30
Oct.
Th.
1 The
Research Argument Chapter 5
APA
Assignment Due
T.
6 Textual Analysis Chapter 6
Th.
8 Participant
Observation Chapter 7
T.
13 Catch-up
& Review
Th.
15 FALL BREAK—NO
CLASS!
T.
20 Quiz
2 (Chapters 5, 6, & 7)
Th.
22 Content
Analysis Chapter 8
T.
27 Descriptive
Empirical Research Chapter 9
Sample Literature Review due
Th.
29 Experimental Design Chapter 10
Nov.
T.
3 Factorial Design
Th.
5 Catch-up and
Review
T.
10 Quiz 3
(Chapters 8, 9, & 10)
Th.
12 NCA
CONVENTION—NO CLASS!
T.
17 Sampling Chapter 11
Literature Review due
Th.
19 The Normal
Curve Chapter 12
T.
24 Central
Tendencies & Standard Deviation
Quantitative Study Analysis due
Th.
26 THANKSGIVING
BREAK—NO CLASS!
Dec.
T.
1 Correlations
Final Papers due
Th.
3 Catch-up &
Review
T.
8 Quiz
4 (Chapters 11 & 12)
Th.
10 Breathe & Debrief
T.
15 FINALS
WEEK—NO CLASS