RESEARCH METHODS
IN COMMUNICATION
COM 306 - Spring 2002
Instructor:
Dr. Guo-Ming Chen
Meeting Times: wash 220 - MWF 10 - 10:50am
Office: I206B
Office Phone: (401) 874-4731
Office Hours: 12 - 1pm MWF
and by appointment
E-mail: gchen@etal.uri.edu
URL: http://www.uri.edu/personal/gmchen
General Course Statement:
The purpose of this
course is to acquaint you with social and behavioral research methods applicable
to the study of communication problems and processes. The goals of the course
are to assist you in acquiring the ability to understand communication research
methods, critique and analyze the value of communication research studies you
read, and to conduct basic research to answer communication questions and solve
communication problems. The course is structured into several major areas of
study as shown in the following syllabus.
Texts:
Frey, L. R., Botan, C. H., Friedman, P. G., & Kreps, G. L. (2000).
Investigating
communication: An introduction to research methods.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
(required)
Rubin, R. B., Rubin, A. M., & Piele, L. J. (2000).
Communication research: Strategies and
sources. Belmont,
CA: Wadsworth. (optional)
Beveridge, W.I.B. (1960). The art
of scientific investigation. New
York: Vintage Book.
(optional)
Requirements:
You are required to
1. attend and
participate in all class meetings.
2. complete a research prospectus (10-12 pages. Details to be given).
3. complete a team
presentation on the research prospectus.
4. complete four quizzes (chaps. 1-3) and the final examination (Tentatively,
quizzes will be
held on the following Fridays: 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12) .
5. be familiar with the university computer system (e-mail).
Policies &
Expectations:
1.You must attend
class in order to participate in exercises and discussions.
If you miss more than
two class meetings, you will lose
attendance/participation course credit (points) as follows: 2
points per class missed.
2. All the written assignments must be typed.
The research paper will be graded for content and
format. Oral
presentation will be evaluated based on five elements: how (the process of
information collection), what (the content), style (the
way you present yourself), and time (8-10
minutes for paper presentation).
Course
Evaluation: Final grades will be cumulative and based on
1.
Four Quizzes
20% (5 x 4)
2. Final Exam
35%
3. Research Prospectus
30%
4. Presentation
5%
5. Class Attendance
10%
*****************************************************************
SYLLABUS
Week 1-2
(1/22 - 2/1)
Introduction to
Course
Overview of Communication Discipline
Exercises
Week 3 (2/4
- 2/8)
Research Culture
Ways of Knowing
The Research Process
Exercises
Read: Chap. 1
Week 4-5
(2/11 - 2/22)
Nature of
Communication Research
Choosing Topic
Literature Review
Conceptualization
Research Questions and Hypotheses
Exercises
Read: Chaps 2 & 3
Week 6-7 (2/28
- 3/8)
Observing and
Measuring
Operationalization
Measurement Theory
Measurement Methods
Measurement Techniques
Exercises
Read: Chap. 4
Week 8-10
(3/11 - 3/29)
Validity and
Reliability
Measurement of Validity and Reliability
Threats to Internal Validity
External Validity
Research Ethics
Exercises
Spring Break (3/11 - 3/19)
Read: Chaps. 6 & 7
Week 11-12 (4/1
- 4/12)
Survey Research
Nature of Survey Research
Survey Research Design
Survey Measurement Techniques
Exercises
Read: Chap. 8
Week 13-14 (4/15 - 4/26)
Naturalistic
Inquiry
Nature of Naturalistic Inquiry
Types of Naturalistic Inquiry
Process of Naturalistic Inquiry
Exercises
Read: Chap. 10
Week 15-16
(4/29 - 5/3, 5/6) -- Presentation
Week 17 (5/7
- 5/17) -- Final Exam
************************************************************
The Format of
Research Prospectus
Your Name(s):
Class:
Topic:
I.
Introduction - This is the background to the problem (10%)
1. Purpose of the study: (2)
2. Rational for the study: (3)
3. A brief history of interest in
the area: (5)
II.
Review of the Literature -- This is a survey of the theory and research
related to the problem.
(40%)
1. Conceptual definition of the
variables: (5)
2. Critique and summarize 10 related articles in prior research: (30)
(1) Author(s):
(2) Journal or others:
(3) Other information (including year, page number,
publisher, place...):
(4) Abstract:
(5) Comment:
3. Establish the
basis for your study (a summary about how the ten articles overall relate to
your
study): (5)
III.
Problem Statement -- Drawing from the literature review: (10%)
1. Identify variables
(dependent and independent variables): (4)
2. Specify the research problem (either research question or
hypothesis, or both): (6)
IV.
Methodology (30%)
1. Method (describe why the research method, e.g., survey, is
used): (10)
2. Instruments:
(1) Operational definitions of dependent
and independent variables: (5)
(2) Instrument - explain and attach the
measures (e.g., questionnaire) you will use: (5)
3.
Participants and procedures:
(1) Selection of subjects (i.e., who and
how to get them - sampling procedure): (4)
(2) Explain how materials will be
distributed: (3)
(3) Describe how data will be collected
and analyzed; (3)
V.
Results (omitted)
VI.
Discussion (omitted)
VII.
References (10%)
******************************************************************
Evaluation
Form for Presentation
Name:
Date:
How:
Poor 1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10 Excellent
What: Poor
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9
10 Excellent
Style:
Poor 1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10 Excellent
Coop: Poor
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
Excellent
Time: Poor
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
Excellent