21FS COMM 130W - 1 Communication Research
Properly formatted version of the syllabus here
one of my many field offices
WELCOME! THIS IS
COMM 130: RESEARCH METHODS IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES
“What we find changes who we become.” ~Peter Morville
Instructor: Cathy B. Glenn, Ph.D. Email: cglenn@hnu.edu
Meeting Time: M/W, 9:30-10-45
Office Hours: W, 10:45-11:45 and by appointment (beginning week of August 30)
ZOOM Office: https://zoom.us/j/4443285510?pwd=Rk9hQytlNVVVY1ROdzV2VWNzNG5pQT09
Meeting ID: 444 328 5510
Passcode: glenn
Course Description. Communication Research Methods is a required course for all students receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Holy Names University. It is designed to enhance your understanding and appreciation of the study of communication and how knowledge is derived in the Communication discipline. Students will apply different concepts and techniques used in qualitative and mixed methods approaches to practice gathering data, analyzing data, interpreting data, and producing research. This course will also aid in critically reading, comprehending, and applying research in our everyday lives.
COURSE OBJECTIVES & MATERIALS
When this course concludes, you’ll be able to:
- Conceptually (READINGS, VIDEO, AUDIO, AND IMAGES ON CANVAS)
- Explain the role research plays in the advancement of knowledge about communication
- Identify the important journals and organizations in the Communication Studies discipline
- Distinguish between research perspectives and research paradigms
- Understand critical perspectives for Communication research
- Outline the basic principles of communication research
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the different types of communication research methods
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the principles, objectives, and limitations of different approaches to research design and scholarship
- Identify the conditions, research questions, and study objectives that are appropriate for quantitative, qualitative, and critical perspectives
- Summarize the importance of validity, reliability, and credibility in communication research
- Evaluate ethical issues involved in the research process
- Functionally (READINGS, VIDEO, AUDIO, AND IMAGES ON CANVAS)
- Determine the strengths and weaknesses of data sources
- Explain how to read, evaluate, and critique qualitative and quantitative research reports
- Explain the basic principles of statistical analyses
- Perform and interpret minimal statistical analyses
- And, specifically (Writing the New Ethnography, Volume 7 by H.L. Goodall, Jr. in PDF format)
- Formulate a research question
- Identify an appropriate research method to answer a question.
- Produce a brief literature review
- Design a pilot research study
- Formulate an argument for a research purpose
- Write and present a research report
- Apply the appropriate writing style guidelines for the discipline to all documents
ASSIGNMENTS, POINTS, & LETTER GRADES
Assignments & points. Each assignment will have detailed directions and clear evaluation criteria to help you earn the most points possible. (There are no extra credit points to earn.) The course calendar will be available at our first meeting on the 30th.
Attendance and participation 100
Mini Research Projects 4@100 pts each 400
Written Topic Probes, 10@20 pts each 200
Final Research Project 300
____________________________________________________
TOTAL 1000
Letter grades. All assignments earn a raw numerical score. Final point totals are broken down into the following corresponding letter grades:
GRADE %.
A 93 –100 %
A- 90–92%
B+ 87–89%
B 83–86%
B- 80–82%
C+ 77–79%
C 73–76%
C- 70–72%
D+ 67–69%
D 63–66%
D- 60–62%
F 59 % and below
C is an average grade indicating that you have an adequate command of the substantive material of the course and that you have engaged in the exploration of the ideas and concepts. This is generally demonstrated through class participation and through satisfactory completion of class assignments and examinations.
B is a good grade, indicating your involvement with the course and its material has been more than just adequate. “B” work is very good – significantly above average.
A work is more than simple mastery of course material. It represents a very active and sophisticated engagement with every aspect of the course, demonstrated through sophisticated analysis or creative treatment of the ideas and data covered in the course.
D work is less than adequate. For instance, a “D” may indicate that you failed in one or more areas of the course or that you have slipped below a satisfactory level of work in all areas.
F indicates a failure to meet the requirements described above.
COURSE POLICIES & EXPECTATIONS
Instructor Responses. I’ll always respond to email communications within 12-24 hours during the semester.
Attendance & Participation. I prefer synchronous remote learning—where we all learn together, live—but that’s not always possible for everyone. I want to include everyone, so if there is a compelling reason you can’t attend our remote meeting, give me a heads-up so I can plan, and I’ll offer you the option of an alternative way to “attend” and “participate.” I’ll record and post our meetings, so I’ll ask you watch those. Then, I may ask you to take a short quiz, or write a brief essay, or I might ask you to video your responses to the recorded content. I’ll switch it up to keep it interesting. Either way—synchronous or asynchronous—you can earn 100 points in this category.
Class structure. I’ll prepare for each meeting assuming a full class of learners, in person or remote. I’ll use the Zoom discussion forum to connect us through time and space via our logistical and content-related questions and interactions. For asynchronous learners--who’ll view and respond at a different time—the structure will include alternative methods of participation (see above). I’ll include video, audio, and images alongside the reading for most meetings, and those will also structure our time. Finally, each written assignment is structured to develop and/or create a piece of the final assignment, allowing me to give you feedback and preparing you to earn maximum points.
Written Work. All assigned and accepted written work will be typed, single-spaced, with 12 point font and 1 inch margins all around, saved in a Word document. All assignments must be completed to pass the course, regardless of whether they are late or not. Incompletes are available to those who have completed 80% of the coursework.
Writing Resources. I’ll provide free resources throughout the semester. As with the readings, they will cost you no money. Instead, you invest time and effort in my courses, and my job is to create the best conditions in which to enable you to also do your best.
Academic Conduct. All HNU and Communication Department code of conduct and academic honesty policies will be strictly enforced. I reserve the right to assign an “F” in the case of code of conduct or academic honesty violations. See the University catalog for further clarification on this point. In general, academic honesty requires that students: (1) submit work that is clearly and unmistakably their own; (2) properly represent information and give adequate acknowledgement to all sources that were used in the preparation of an assignment; (3) neither seek, accept, nor provide any assistance on tests, quizzes, and/or assignments unless explicitly permitted to do so by the instructor.
Differently-abled Students. Reasonable and appropriate accommodations for individuals with qualifying disabilities are extended through Disability Support Services (DSS). Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the DSS Coordinator at 510-436-1394 or dss@hnu.edu to set-up a confidential appointment to discuss accommodation guidelines and available services. If you need support in accessing these resources or wish to discuss your needs with me, let’s meet in my Zoom office outside class time.
Email Communication Statement. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) requires careful protection of a student’s academic record. This record includes materials and communications regarding grades, degree planning, performance, assessment, and most other matters documented or discussed between a student and faculty member. One method we use to ensure that the student – and only the student – is reading email correspondence from HNU faculty, staff, or administrators is to require the student to use her/his password-protected HNU email account when communicating regarding school-related matters. For similar reasons, we also require that faculty use their password-protected HNU email accounts when communicating with students or with other HNU personnel regarding student academic matters.
Continuing enrollment in the course constitutes an agreement between us that you will abide by the policies set forth in this syllabus. If necessary, I reserve the right to change features of this syllabus, including course assignments. I’ll offer plenty of notice if anything changes.
Course Summary:
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