Communication Research

communication research--Communication Research Methodology. Communication Research Methods. McDermottMcDermott

Steven T. McDermott, Ph.D.	Communication Research Methods COMS 312
Email:smcdermo@calpoly.edu	Communication Studies Department
Office: Faculty Office Building	Cal Poly
Office hours: Announced in class	San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

Catalog Description

Exploration of communication research strategies and methodologies. Basic methods of designing research in empirical communication studies. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: STAT 211 or 217, and SPC 311. Junior standing. 4 Lectures. For majors only.

This course can be the most exciting course you take in the Communication Studies department in that it shows you how to do original research in communication. It is a challenging course, one that requires special logical and critical skills and intensive study, but if the challenge is taken, the student will find his/herself in a position to be active participants in the "information society."

The overall goal of this course is to familiarize the student with the basic tenets of empirical research in communication. The course is not meant to be exhaustive--no single course can be--but it is designed to acquaint the student with a foundation for early explorations into the communication process and especially for an ability to understand basic social science research methods. When finished, the student should

-> understand the basic philosophy of the social science approach to understanding communication.

-> have a primary background in basic experimental, quasi-experimental, survey, and descriptive research methodology.

-> have a utlilitarian grasp of simple univariate and bivariate statistical analyses along with some conceptual familiarity with basic multivariate analyses.

This course has as a prerequisite the Communication Theory course, COMS 311. You may not enroll in this course without proof of successful completion of that course.

Several (pop) quizes will be given over readings and lectures. Quizes will be announced on the day proceeding the day that the quiz will be given. Quizes are primarily true/false, multiple choice, fill-in, and problems. Each quiz is worth 10 points toward your final grade. A cumulative final exam is given on the according to the university schedule (PERIOD). There are no exceptions to this rule. The final exam is cumulative and worth 50 points.

There are three major paper assignments. The first involves a "participant observation" study and analysis. The second is a mini-experiment with a partner. The last one is a survey that also involves a partner. Each paper will involve the test of a research question or hypothesis and will involve the use of appropriate statistical analyses as presented in class. Consulation with outside statisticians is prohibited. Each of these assignments is worth 10% of your final grade. Details of these assignments will be given in class.

Particpation in the classroom and out of the classroom assignments is required. All assignments must be met to achieve a C or better in the course. These include conducting observations, surveys, instrument development, and computer data entry and analysis.

Attendance and participation are crucial to your success in this course. Both lecture and discussion will be essential factors in contributing to your understanding of the complexities of communication research and to your accomplishments in the course. Attendance will be used as a factor in making final decisions about your grade [e.g., it could be used to evaluate borderline grades]. Tardiness counts as an absence, as does leaving the class early.

Late assignments or quizes will not be accepted. Absences from presentations will be accepted only for medically verifiable (written) excuses [not from the campus health center]. You may trade a presentation time with a classmate as long as both traders prior to the scheduled presentation time notify Dr. McDermott in writing. Students who do miss a class meeting should immediately contact a fellow student about assignments that were given in class. Missing a class meeting is not an excuse for failing to turn in an assignment, taking a subsequent quize or for getting an assignment.

Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off or put on silent mode when in the classroom. If the class is interupted by a device, the student will be given an absence for that day.

The prinicples and concepts in this course are not normally easily grasped. This may be the most difficult course the student takes in Communication Studies, not by the nature of the course itself, but by the abstract and difficult nature of the material to be covered. This should not discourage any student, but should be seen as a challenge since a good grasp of the material in the course will make the student a critical consumer (and even a competent producer) of social science information in our current technological world.

The average student in this course normally receives a "C." Those who study the textbook and enthusiastically embrace the concepts and material can receive a "B." Exceptional students may receive an "A" in the course.