gudelunas.com
research methods
Comm420:
Communication Research Design and Methodology
Dr. David Gudelunas
Fairfield University, Fall 2009
Course Meeting Times
Tuesdays 6.30-9.00 pm
Contact Information
203.254.4000 extension 3084
dgudelunas@fairfield.edu
davidistyping
DMH 201
Office Hours
Tuesdays 4.00-6.30
And by appointment.
Course Description
Communication Research Design and Methodologies (26558) is a detailed review of research methods and procedures relevant to measuring the phenomena and characteristics of human communication behavior in a variety of contexts and relationships. Quantitative, qualitative, and critical approaches are reviewed and practiced in course projects. Applications of research methods to describing and evaluating communication are studied. (3 credits)
This graduate course is designed to introduce you to the social scientific research methods used by both communication scholars and professionals working in communication-related industries. The course focuses on both qualitative and quantitative research tools, and serves as in introduction to the basic terminology of the field in order to both familiarize students with the field of Communication Studies and prepare them to conduct their own original research. The course is both theoretical and practical and aims to equip students with the ability to both understand original social scientific work, conduct academic research, and engage with industry-specific research methods.
Course Objectives
Communication Research Methods provides students the ability to:
Required Text
Baxter, L.A. and Babbie, E. The Basics of Communication Research. New York: Thompson.
Selected other readings will be distributed in class. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure these readings are obtained.
This text is available for purchase from the University Bookstore.
Course Requirements
In addition to completing all of the assigned readings prior to the start of class as indicated below on the syllabus, students are expected to:
Grade Distribution
Exam One (Midterm)…20%
Exam Two (Final)…25%
Research Critique…15%
Research Proposal…20%
Informed Class Participation/Quizzes/Exercises…20%
Academic Integrity
Academic misconduct including (but not limited to) cheating, plagiarism, failing to properly cite authors, over-reliance on a single source, and other unethical writing practices will be dealt with severely. Please refer to the handout on “Academic Writing, Plagiarism and Correct Citation” for information on effective writing and citation practices. If you have any questions, the best policy is to always ask. No sampling without due credit!!
Course Readings
All readings are mandatory. Please note that the compressed nature of the once-a-week course schedule means that a significant number of pages must be read for each class meeting and you are advised to keep up with the course reading schedule at all times. Missing class will also necessarily affect your final course grade.
Course Schedule
Week 1: Tuesday, September 1: An Introduction to Research Traditions
No reading (don’t get used to it…)
Week 2: Tuesday, September 8: An Introduction to Scientific Inquiry
Baxter, Chapters 1, 2
Week 3: Tuesday, September 15: Ways of Knowing
Baxter, Chapters 3, 4
Week 4: Tuesday, September 22: Ethics in Communication Research
Baxter, Chapter 5
Also, Students will attend the Mooney Lecture in Catholic Studies at 8 PM in the DSB Dining Room, Details will be provided in class
Week 5: Tuesday, September 29: Library Research Techniques
No assigned reading. Meet in the Library at the start of class in the Instruction Lab on the lower level.
Week 6: Tuesday, October 6: Quantitative Research Introduction
Baxter, Chapters 6, 7
Week 7: Tuesday, October 13: NO CLASS
Monday classes meet on Tuesday this week due to the Columbus Day Holiday
Week 8: Tuesday, October 20: In-Class Midterm
Research Critiques Due
Mid-Term (In-Class)
Week 8: Tuesday, October 27: Survey Research
Baxter, Chapter 8
Research Critique Presentations Due
Week 9: Tuesday, November 3: Experimental Research
Baxter, Chapter 9
Week 10: Tuesday, November 10: Quantitative Data Analysis
Baxter, Chapters 10, 11
Week 11: Tuesday, November 17: Inferential Statistics
Baxter, Chapter 12
Week 12: Tuesday, November 24: Qualitative Communication Research
Baxter, Chapters 13, 14
Week 14: Tuesday, December 1: Qualitative Data Analysis
Baxter, Chapters 15, 16
Week 15: Tuesday, December 8: Research Design Project Presentations
Research Design Projects and Presentations Due
Week 16: Tuesday, December 15: Final Exam
Final Exam (In-class)
This is the last date I can accept ANY late assignments/requirements
Dr. David Gudelunas
Fairfield University, Fall 2009
Course Meeting Times
Tuesdays 6.30-9.00 pm
Contact Information
203.254.4000 extension 3084
dgudelunas@fairfield.edu
davidistyping
DMH 201
Office Hours
Tuesdays 4.00-6.30
And by appointment.
Course Description
Communication Research Design and Methodologies (26558) is a detailed review of research methods and procedures relevant to measuring the phenomena and characteristics of human communication behavior in a variety of contexts and relationships. Quantitative, qualitative, and critical approaches are reviewed and practiced in course projects. Applications of research methods to describing and evaluating communication are studied. (3 credits)
This graduate course is designed to introduce you to the social scientific research methods used by both communication scholars and professionals working in communication-related industries. The course focuses on both qualitative and quantitative research tools, and serves as in introduction to the basic terminology of the field in order to both familiarize students with the field of Communication Studies and prepare them to conduct their own original research. The course is both theoretical and practical and aims to equip students with the ability to both understand original social scientific work, conduct academic research, and engage with industry-specific research methods.
Course Objectives
Communication Research Methods provides students the ability to:
Required Text
Baxter, L.A. and Babbie, E. The Basics of Communication Research. New York: Thompson.
Selected other readings will be distributed in class. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure these readings are obtained.
This text is available for purchase from the University Bookstore.
Course Requirements
In addition to completing all of the assigned readings prior to the start of class as indicated below on the syllabus, students are expected to:
Grade Distribution
Exam One (Midterm)…20%
Exam Two (Final)…25%
Research Critique…15%
Research Proposal…20%
Informed Class Participation/Quizzes/Exercises…20%
Academic Integrity
Academic misconduct including (but not limited to) cheating, plagiarism, failing to properly cite authors, over-reliance on a single source, and other unethical writing practices will be dealt with severely. Please refer to the handout on “Academic Writing, Plagiarism and Correct Citation” for information on effective writing and citation practices. If you have any questions, the best policy is to always ask. No sampling without due credit!!
Course Readings
All readings are mandatory. Please note that the compressed nature of the once-a-week course schedule means that a significant number of pages must be read for each class meeting and you are advised to keep up with the course reading schedule at all times. Missing class will also necessarily affect your final course grade.
Course Schedule
Week 1: Tuesday, September 1: An Introduction to Research Traditions
No reading (don’t get used to it…)
Week 2: Tuesday, September 8: An Introduction to Scientific Inquiry
Baxter, Chapters 1, 2
Week 3: Tuesday, September 15: Ways of Knowing
Baxter, Chapters 3, 4
Week 4: Tuesday, September 22: Ethics in Communication Research
Baxter, Chapter 5
Also, Students will attend the Mooney Lecture in Catholic Studies at 8 PM in the DSB Dining Room, Details will be provided in class
Week 5: Tuesday, September 29: Library Research Techniques
No assigned reading. Meet in the Library at the start of class in the Instruction Lab on the lower level.
Week 6: Tuesday, October 6: Quantitative Research Introduction
Baxter, Chapters 6, 7
Week 7: Tuesday, October 13: NO CLASS
Monday classes meet on Tuesday this week due to the Columbus Day Holiday
Week 8: Tuesday, October 20: In-Class Midterm
Research Critiques Due
Mid-Term (In-Class)
Week 8: Tuesday, October 27: Survey Research
Baxter, Chapter 8
Research Critique Presentations Due
Week 9: Tuesday, November 3: Experimental Research
Baxter, Chapter 9
Week 10: Tuesday, November 10: Quantitative Data Analysis
Baxter, Chapters 10, 11
Week 11: Tuesday, November 17: Inferential Statistics
Baxter, Chapter 12
Week 12: Tuesday, November 24: Qualitative Communication Research
Baxter, Chapters 13, 14
Week 14: Tuesday, December 1: Qualitative Data Analysis
Baxter, Chapters 15, 16
Week 15: Tuesday, December 8: Research Design Project Presentations
Research Design Projects and Presentations Due
Week 16: Tuesday, December 15: Final Exam
Final Exam (In-class)
This is the last date I can accept ANY late assignments/requirements