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COMM 378

Introduction to Communication Research Methods

Course Description

Media and communication are central to our understanding of public affairs as well as how we conduct our private lives. This course provides students with essential skills to study media and communication technologies, industries, processes and professions. You will learn to evaluate media content, conduct surveys, experiments, field work, and in-depth interviews to examine media consumption habits and their effects on the public’s social and political behaviors. This online course will introduce you to quantitative, qualitative, and interpretive methods for doing research on digital media (online media, mobile media, and social media) and ethical ways of employing those methods. You will learn about how to apply quantitative, qualitative, and interpretive methods to studies of digital media creation, content, and use, and you will also learn about how digital media companies use research and analytics. You will learn about how to apply quantitative, qualitative, and interpretive methods to studies of digital media creation, content, and use, and you will also learn about how digital media companies use research and analytics. You will develop a critical appreciation for rigorous methodologies for social research.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

· Translate real-world concerns and intellectual curiosities into research questions

· Understand the principles of research design

· Gather data for communication research from a variety of primary and secondary sources

· Select and apply appropriate methods of analysis

· Draw appropriate insights from the application of research methods and gain ethical considerations in conducting human subjects research.

· Explain your reasoning and insights using appropriate forms of representation

Assessment

Letter grades will be distributed on the following scale: 94-100 A 90-93 A- 87-89 B+ 84-86 B 80-83 B- 77-79 C+ 74-76 C 70-73 C- 60-69 D 0-59 F

Course Instructional Methods 

The course will be taught using multiple instructional methods. These methods will include lecture, group discussion, and oral presentations with an associated critical discussion. Typically, course topics will be introduced via lecture format incorporating interpretive discussions. We are going to supplement in-class lectures with virtual effective learning methods through Canvas.

Attendance

Attendance is presumed in order to perform well in this course. Attendance will be taken starting from Week 2. If you are absent one time, your participation grade will not be affected. If you are experiencing special circumstances affecting your attendance or participation, you must proactively see me to discuss this. Students who observe religious holidays that may interfere with the class schedule should see me at the beginning of the semester to talk about your schedule.

Communication

Make sure to check your American University email regularly, or to have your AU email forward to the email you use.  I will occasionally email the class with various announcements and it is your responsibility to keep abreast of these communications.  You can expect that I will respond to your emails promptly (within 24-48 hours, more likely to be 48 on weekends). Before emailing me, always check to see if your question is answered on this syllabus.  Email is best for quick, uncomplicated matters.  If you have questions about course concepts, or if you wish to discuss a personal matter, consider office hours first: face-to-face communication is much better for nuance or complexity (which we can schedule on Zoom, too).

Academic Integrity:

The consequences of scholastic dishonesty are very serious. You can review American University policies at https://www.american.edu/academics/integrity/code.cfm

Technological Distractions

Our time together for each session is short and you owe it to yourself to maximize the educational experience to which you are entitled and for which you may be paying. This course has a limited electronics policy.  You may take notes by hand and supplement them with the partial handouts on Canvas.  Or you may use a laptop or tablet to take notes if you sit in the front rows of the classroom and stay engaged in as a participant in class. The rationale for this is to keep us all focused on the class and each other; research shows that people are not as good at multitasking as they believe they are, and we lose significant focus when we switch between tasks.  See: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95256794

Phones should be silenced and placed out of view during class.

CLASS MEETING SCHEDULE:

The following is a “working schedule.”  While it is expected that we will stick fairly closely to this syllabus, class materials and schedule are subject to change.  It is your responsibility to keep on top of any schedule changes, whether you are in class or not. I will make sure to make any necessary announcement on Canvas at least one week ahead if there is an adjustment in the schedule and materials. You will find the announcement on specific readings on Canvas. Thank you!

Week 1 August 30: Introduction: Understanding the Need for a Methods Class for Academic and Industry Purposes

Week 2 September 6: Understanding Digital Research & Research Ethics

Week 3 September 13: Formulating a Research Question [Practical Application Exercise 1 due by 9/18]

Week 4 September 20 Part I  è  Literature Review

               Part 2 è Sampling, Study Design, Descriptive Statistics

                                      [PAE 2 due by 9/25]

Week 5 September 27: Part 1è Conducting Surveys

                                     Part 2 è Quantitative Content Analysis

Week 6 October 4:   Qualitative Content Analysis [Zoom Supported Class]

Week 7 October 11: Interviews  [PAE 3 due by 10/16]

Week 8 October 18: Ethnography Part 1 [PAE 4 Part 1 due by 10/23]

Week 9 October 25: Ethnography Part 2 [PAE 4 Part 2 due by 10/30]

Week 10 November 1: Ethnography Part 3 and Atlas.ti Software [PAE 4 Part 3 due by 11/6]

Week 11 November 8: Audience Studies

Week 12 November 15: Checkpoint for Research Projects [Step 2: Choosing and Proceeding with a Method after a Successful Step 1 Submission]

Week 13 November 22 : Thanksgiving Break

Week 14 November 29: Digital Media History Guest Lecture [PAE 5 due by 12/1]

Week 15 December 6: Research Presentations

Support for Students at AU 

If you experience difficulty in this course for any reason, please do not hesitate to consult with me. In addition to the resources within your department, a wide range of services is available to support you in your efforts to meet course requirements: 

Academic Support & Access Center MGC 243, 202-885-3360 supports the academic development and educational goals of all AU students while also providing support to students with disabilities. They offer workshops on topics of interest to all students such as managing the college workload, stress management, time management note taking, critical thinking, memory skills, and test taking. Additional support includes free private and group tutoring in many subjects, supplemental instruction, The Math Lab and The Writing Lab are also available. 

Counseling Center MGC 214, 202-885-3500 is here to help students make the most of your university experience, both personally and academically. They offer individual and group counseling, urgent care, self-help resources, referrals to private care, as well as programming to help you gain the skills and insights needed to overcome adversity and thrive while you are in college. Contact the Counseling Center to make an appointment in person or by telephone, or visit the Counseling Center page on the AU website for additional information. 

Center for Diversity & Inclusion MGC 201 and 202, 202-885-3651 is dedicated to enhancing LGBTQ, Multicultural, First Generation, and Women's experiences on campus and to advance AU's commitment to respecting & valuing diversity by serving as a resource and liaison to students, staff, and faculty on issues of equity through education, outreach, and advocacy. 

OASIS: The Office of Advocacy Services for Interpersonal and Sexual Violence 202-885-7070 provides free and confidential advocacy services for anyone in the campus community who is impacted by sexual violence (sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, and stalking). 

American University expressly prohibits any form of discriminatory harassment including sexual harassment, dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The university is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual's genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws in its programs and activities. 

If you experience any of the above, you have the option of filing a report with the AU Department of Public Safety (202-885-2527) or the Office of the Dean of Students 202-885-3300 [email protected]. Please keep in mind that all faculty and staff – with the exception of counselors in the Counseling Center, victim advocates in the Wellness Center, medical providers in the Student Health Center, and ordained clergy in the Kay Spiritual Life Center – who are aware of or witness this conduct are required to report this information to the university, regardless of the location of the incident. 

The Writing Center First floor of Bender Library, offers free, individual coaching sessions to all AU students. In your 45-minute session, a student writing consultant can help you address your assignments, understand the conventions of academic writing, and learn how to revise and edit your own work. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. 

Call 202-885-2991 to arrange a session. Meanwhile find handouts, information, and a weekly writer's blog at the Writing Center website and on Facebook. 

International Student & Scholar Services, Battelle 4th Butler Pavilion, Rm. 410. Resources to support academic success and participation in campus life including academic counseling, support for second language learners’ response to questions about visas, immigration status and employment and intercultural programs, clubs and resources. 

Emergency preparedness for disruption of classes: In the event of an emergency, American University will implement a plan for meeting the needs of all members of the university community. Should the university be required to close for a period of time, we are committed to ensuring that all aspects of our educational programs will be delivered to our students. These may include altering and extending the duration of the traditional term schedule to complete essential instruction in the traditional format and/or use of distance instructional methods. Specific strategies will vary from class to class, depending on the format of the course and the timing of the emergency. Faculty will communicate class-specific information to students via AU e-mail and Blackboard, while students must inform their faculty immediately of any absence. Students are responsible for checking their AU e-mail regularly and keeping themselves informed of emergencies. In the event of an emergency, students should refer to the AU Student Portal, the AU Emergency Preparedness Web site and the AU information line at (202) 885-1100 for general university-wide information, as well as contact their faculty and/or respective dean’s office for course and school/ college-specific information.