Communications Studies (COMS) 451 - Lecture 01
Research in Communications
Winter 2008
TR 11:00-12:15

 

 

 

Instructor:	Amanda Williams
Office Location:	SS209
E-Mail:	williaam@ucalgary.ca
Office Hours:	By appointment

 

Course Description

This course will examine the major methods used to conduct empirical research within communication studies. These methods will be examined in the context of the intellectual traditions within which they emerged. Students will learn about ethics, research design, data collection and analysis, and research dissemination. In addition, they will gain hands-on experience by carrying out a small research project.

 

Objectives of the Course

Through lectures, readings, class discussion, and course activities, students will be able to:

• describe the role research plays in the field of communications;
• effectively find sources of information using a variety of research tools;
• develop a research question and follow it through from an initial plan to a final report;
• synthesize and present research findings; and,
• critically reflect upon the challenges and opportunities provided by different research methods.

Textbooks and Readings:

Baxter, L.A.& Babbie, E. (2004). The basics of communication research. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

Assignments and Evaluation

Individual component:

• Article summary: 20% (Due March 11)
• In class presentation: 10% (April 10-17)
• Participation: 10% (ongoing)

 

 

 

Group component:

• Project plan: 10% (Feb 7)
• Research instrument: 15% (Due Feb 28)
• In-class presentation: 10% (April 10-17)
• Final research report: 25% (Due April 21)

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.
Note: Please hand in your essays directly to your tutor or 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 surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre.  Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

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. 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 (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) 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/su

"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.

Ethics
This course (or assignment) has obtained course-based ethics approval from the faculty research ethics committee.  Whenever you perform research with human participants (i.e. surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines.  Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research.  For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see the U of C Research Ethics "Information for Applicants," sections 3.0 to 9.0, inclusive: http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/research/html/ethics/info_undergrad.html

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

To be handed out and discussed in class.