Communication Research Foundations
COMM 244-60
Spring 2005– Thursday 7-9:40
PM Kurt
W. Wagner
Room C-143 Library
107b
Dept. Secretary S. Pille
973-720-2167 973-720-2285
Email: pilles@wpunj.edu Email: wagnerk@wpunj.edu
Office
hours by appt. only
Course description
An opportunity for study and discussion of issues and questions,
together with the opportunity to study and analyze the research available in
various areas of communication. Each student chooses an area of Communication
in which to plan and carry out a research project.
Text
(Articles, chapters and additional readings will be distributed in class or put on reserve)
Course objectives
The primary goal of this course is to introduce the students to
communication research. Specifically, at the end of the course, students are
expected to have:
1. an understanding of the
nature of, as well as basic concepts, theories, and methods in communication
research.
2. a working knowledge of the
research process, basic print, electronic, and human data sources, as well as
related search techniques.
3. a working knowledge of how
to design a basic research proposal with an understanding of the project’s
context, significance, research questions, methodology, and other related
matters; and
4. a working knowledge of
presenting research findings in both written and oral forms.
Student learning outcomes
1. Students will be able to
understand the nature of communication research.
2. Students will be able to
understand the research in their own area of concentration in Communication
major.
3. Students will become
critical consumers of print and electronic communication media.
4. Students will be able to
write a search proposal, annotated bibliography and research paper with an
understanding of the research’s context, research question and related
methodology.
Topical outline of course
content
1. Course overview
2. Communication research in
the
3. The nature of research. The
knowledge continuum. Types of research. Types of research audience
4. The role of Communication
research and researchers
5. The research proposal
6. Consulting and observing
people for information
7. Using the library for
Communication research
8. The Internet and other
electronic information sources
9. Conducting survey research for information
10. Selection and synthesis of research data
11. Elements of a formal research paper
12. Scholarly styles
13. The editorial process
14. Social responsibilities of media researchers
Teaching methods
1. Reading and written
assignments – see course schedule below
2. Timeline for submission of
written assignments – see course schedule below
3. Participation in
out-of-class activities – instructional and demonstration sessions in the
Library and assigned research time
4. Class participation – active
and well-prepared participation in class discussions, exercises and
presentations is required.
5. In-class reviews of work at
pre-established “marker points” to assess progress of research and writing
projects. Group review, discussion and critique of work will occur.
6. All requirements will be
explained at the beginning of the course. Students are expected to fully
prepare themselves to fulfill the requirements of the course and commit to
these requirements. Students who cannot complete the course are encouraged to
withdraw. Extra credit assignments are not given. Late work is penalized.
Course expectations and
requirements
Full discussion of each element will occur in class
1. Attendance – Due to the nature and
importance of this course, attendance and punctuality are expected. Regular
attendance is necessary. After two absences without acceptable excuse a penalty
of 2% (2 points) will be deducted your class grade. Documented and excused
absences will be handled in accordance with University Policy (including
medical leave and family emergencies), missing more than three consecutive
classes may put you far enough behind that special permission from the Dean of
Students may be required for you to rejoin the class. It is crucial that you
contact me or have someone contact me if you cannot attend class. Contact prior
to an absence indicates that you are taking responsibility for your actions. In
case of weather emergencies call 973-720-2475 for campus closing updates. Call
me (973-720-2285) and speak to me or leave a message if you cannot attend
class.
2. E-mail communication – Students are encouraged to
use e-mail to contact the professor. Each student is required to e-mail the
professor to establish a working e-mail contact point. NO CLASS WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA E-MAIL.
EVERYTHING MUST BE SUBMITTED DURING REGULAR CLASS SESSIONS.
3. Respect and tolerance – All perspectives,
national and cultural origins, social and gender-based backgrounds and
practices are respected and supported. The classroom is a place of learning and
tolerance. Discussion is to be without attack. Anything that would interrupt
the learning process is prohibited. Personal music devices, pagers, cell phones
and messaging devices must be either turned off or inaudible while in class.
You cannot receive calls in class. Please excuse yourself quietly if you need
to leave the classroom. You may bring a soft drink or water to class but please
do not eat in the classroom. A ten-minute break will be provided at the class
midpoint.
4. Prompt and full attendance
as well as active and well-prepared participation in class discussion – 20%/20
points
5. Written work – All written
assignments must be typed/word-processed (see “Style Matters”). They should
follow the APA guidelines, which will be explained in class. Students must keep
printed or electronic copies of every assignment submitted for their own record.
Students are expected to maintain a portfolio of all graded assignments and all
in-class work. All written work must be free of typographical and grammatical
errors. Work that is ungrammatical will not be accepted. Please see me if you
have writing difficulties. Please visit the
6. Assignment 1 – Topic
selection. 15%/15
points This will be a discussion of several related topics, some initial
reference-based information gathering, a survey of potential data sources, and
statements of research viability. Essay format, 3-4 pages.
7. Assignment 2 – Research
proposal. 15%/15
points Hypothesis development, research statements, research scope. Essay
format, 3-4 pages.
8. Assignment 3 – Annotated
bibliography. 15%/15 points A listing of books,
journal articles and other materials relevant to your topic with brief (one or
two sentence) annotations describing their content and connection. Approx. 20
sources.
9. Assignment 4 – Synthesis of
research data.
15%/15 points Expanded outline of research paper. 3-4 pages.
10. Assignment 5 – Draft of
paper and final draft of paper. 20%/20 points 12-15 pages. Please keep
within these limits.
11. Late work. Due dates for all assignments
are announced on the first day of class and published in this course outline
and online at http://euphrates.wpunj.edu/faculty/wagnerk/comm244
and therefore you must plan your work well ahead of time. Careful planning is
as important as the final result. Late assignments will receive a grade penalty
with no exception. All dated works are due at the beginning of the class period
on the date assigned. Any work submitted after that will be accepted at the
discretion of the professor. If accepted, late work will always receive a lower
grade, regardless of the quality of the work. No late paper will be accepted
more than a week after its due date.
12. Academic Integrity – All materials drawn from other
sources must be acknowledged. Plagiarism (the representation of the language,
thoughts, or methods of another person as one’s own work) is unacceptable and
will result in an automatic “F” grade (see Student Handbook for University
Policy). To avoid problems, cite all sources referred to and methods employed
according to APA guidelines.
Grading and other methods
for assessing students’ academic performance
While it is my charge to reach my own conclusions about your work for
this course, it is important that my evaluation not influence your own thinking
in an inhibitive or otherwise negative manner. I encourage your to do your own
thinking and not spend time trying to guess what the professor wants in a paper
or a response. However, the following criteria guide my evaluation of
college-level written assignments:
1. Relevance – to what extent
does the discussion and/or documentation relate directly to the subject of the
assignment?
2. Thoroughness – to what
extent does the paper cover what’s needed to be discussed within the space
limit and focus of the paper?
3. Critical Thinking – to what
extent does the paper reflect your ability to analyze data and ideas logically
and coherently? Is the work free from bias? Have all possible sources been
considered? Have the sources undergone evaluation and critique?
4. Creativity/originality – to
what extent does the paper provide new ideas or interpretations about the
subject?
5. Punctuality – is the paper
handed in on time?
6. Style – to what extent is
the writing clear and free of editorial, grammatical and typographical error?
Style Matters In addition to using the APA (American Psychological Association)
Publication Manual, observe the following specific style requirements for this
course: All written assignments must be edited in standard English,
double-spaced, and typed on regular 8.5”x11” white paper stock with one-inch
margins. Carefully and thoroughly edit your papers before handing them in.
Acknowledge all references in end notes (which do not count as content).
Pagination (page numbering) is a must. Use at least near-letter quality printer
or laser printer. Papers will be left-justified (ragged right). Papers will be
stapled. Although I encourage e-mail communication I will not accept
assignments electronically. All work must be turned in on paper and in class.
Standard scale for
grading
A=93+ A-=90-92.99
B+=87-89.99 B=83-86 B-=80.82.99
C+=77-77.99 C=73-76.99 C-=70-72.99
D+=67-69.99 C=60-68.99 F=below 60
A point score and associated
percentage will be assigned to each of your written assignments and assessed
based on attendance and participation. Totals will be compared to this scale
and an overall letter grade for the course will be assigned.
Individual
conferences
Students are encouraged to
set up individual conferences with the professor to discuss their progress in
the course and specific issues related to assignments.
Class schedule – additional readings will be announced in advance
|
Class |
Date |
Topic |
|
1 |
1/20 |
Course overview, house
business, defining communication. |
|
2 |
1/27 |
The nature of research and
the research process. Frey, Ch. 1 lecture
notes |
|
3 |
2/3 at
library |
“Pre research”
and using the reference library to pursue a topic. Meet in Library, Rm.
L0-1 (basement). |
|
4 |
2/10 at
library |
Types of
resources. Print –books and journal articles. Meet in Library, Rm. L0-1 (basement). |
|
5 |
2/17 at
library |
Electronic
resources – databases and Internet. Bibliographies. Meet in Library, Rm.
L0-1 (basement). Frey-Ch. 3 "Finding, reading and using
research" |
|
6 |
2/24 |
Topic refinement and
formulation of hypothesis.lecture
notes and assignment 1 outline |
|
7 |
3/3 |
Assignment 1 – Topic due.
Research proposal construction.Lecture
notes and assignment 2 outline |
|
8 |
3/10 |
Assignment 2 – Research
proposal due. Review of Literature. Reading/analysis exercise. Lecture
notes. Reading/analysis
exercise. |
|
9 |
3/17 |
Spring Break - No Class |
|
10 |
3/24 |
Assignment 3 – Annotated Bibliography
due. What do I do with all this? Lecture notes |
|
11 |
3/31 |
Synthesizing, outlining
and organizing information, part I. |
|
12 |
4/7 |
Assignment 4 –
Synthesis/Expanded outline due. Essay writing workshop. Lecture
notes. |
|
13 |
4/14 |
Synthesizing, outlining
and organizing information, part |
|
14 |
4/21 |
Polishing and refining.
Avoiding mechanical, stylistic and grammatical problems. |
|
15 |
4/28 |
Professor is in |
|
16 |
5/5 |
Assignment 5a- Revision,
rough draft, and editorial work. |
|
17 |
5/12 |
Assignment 5b – Final
draft due. |