Communications Studies (COMS) 451 - Lecture 03
Research in Communications
Winter 2007
Tuesdays and Thursdays 15:30 - 16:45  

Instructor:	Ms. Cami Ryan
Office Location:	n/a
Office Phone:	809-2831
E-Mail:	cami.ryan@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:
Office Hours:	by appointment

Course Description

The course will familiarise the student with the basic principles and techniques of social science research. Through this course, the student will examine the most commonly used data collection methods, measurement techniques and sampling procedures. Basic methods for analysing data will also be explored.

Communication is often mediated through networks of individuals or organisations that adopt various ways to gather and exchange information. Understanding how people or organisations interact or communicate is an imperative to understanding how social systems or networks adapt to change. The course will explore the social science research process within the ‘network’ context with in-class examples and exercises, group project work and short case studies drawn from network related theory and practice.

Objectives of the Course

Through lectures, textbook and assigned readings, group projects and in-class discussion and exercises, the students will learn to:

-understand the role research plays in exploring social and/or communication networks -develop research skills in the form of finding sources of information and/or data using a variety of research tools -read, comprehend and critically evaluate research strategies -assess and evaluate sources of information or data for research -plan and implement research strategy(ies) through practical experience in classroom exercises and assignments -synthesize and present research findings

Textbooks and Readings:

Textbook(s) and Readings: Singleton, RA and BC Straits (2005). Approaches to Social Research (4th edition). Oxford University Press: New York, Oxford. Further readings / case studies will be reviewed / assigned in class.

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Group Research Project:

Project plan (10%) Due: January 25, 2007

Research design (20%) Due: February 8, 2007

Findings and analysis (25%) Due: March 22, 2007

In-class Presentation: (15%) April 3 – April 12, 2007

Final Group Research Report: (25%) April 13, 2007

Class participation: 5%

Note: Please return assignments directly to the instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination: No

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see: www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc. but also general clarity and organisation. Research papers must be properly documented.

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. Students are expected to ensure that all assignments and final papers submitted to the instructor follow the MLA guidelines.

If you wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

A+ (96-100); A (92-95); A- (86-91); B+ (81-85); B (77-80); B- (71-76);
C+ (65-70); C (62-64); C- (59-61); D+ (55-58); D (50-54); F (0-49)

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people’s words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS110) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

To be handed out in class.