Communication Research Methods

COM 365

INTRODUCTION TO
COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
METHODS

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Syllabus

Last updated January 25, 2009

INTRODUCTION TO
COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

SPRING 2009

TENTATIVE DAILY SCHEDULE
Following is a tentative, preliminary list of topics I hope to cover. However, the actual schedule may vary, depending on the needs of the class. You will be responsible for knowing from week to week what we are actually covering in class.

WEEK	DATE	TOPIC	CHAPTER	ASSIGNMENTS
#1	1/16/09	Introduction & Overview
		Unit I: Conceptualizing Research	1
#2	1/23/09	Asking Questions About Communication	2
		Generating Research Questions & Hypotheses
#3	1/30/09	Finding, Reading, & Using Research	3
		EXAM #1	1-3	Unit Test #1 (50 points)
#4	2/06/09	Unit II: Planning & Designing Research Observing & Measuring Com Variables	4
	2/06/09	Designing Valid Communication Research	5	Initial Proposal due
#5	2/13/09	Research Ethics	6
		EXAM #2	4-6	Unit Test #2 (100 points)
#6	2/20/09	Unit III: Methods for Conducting Research (Experiments)	7

#7	2/27/09	Surveys	8	Research Article Critique due

#8	3/06/09	Textual Analysis	9

#9	3/13/09	Naturalistic Inquiry (Ethnography)	10
				Initial Methods for Project due
#10	3/20/09	SPRING VACATION [March 16 – March 21, 2009]		NO CLASS
#11	3/27/09	EXAM #3	7-10	Unit Test #3 (150 points)
		Unit IV: Analyzing Quantitative Data	11
#12	4/03/09	Inferring from Data: Estimation & Significance Testing	12
		Analyzing Differences Between Groups	13
#13	4/10/09	Analyzing Relationships Between Groups	14
		Unit V: Reconceptualizing Research	15
#14	4/17/09	EXAM #4	11-15	Unit Test #4 (150 points)
	4/17/09	Analysis & Interpretation		Data Analysis due
#15	4/24/09	Analysis & Interpretation
	4/27/09	MONDAY DEADLINE FOR FINAL PAPER		Final Written Project due by 12:00 noon
#16	5/01/09	Presentations
		Presentations
	5/06/09	Presentations conclude Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.