FALL 2013
RESEARCH METHOD
TIME: WED. 1-4pm
LOCATION: DA-YONG 406
INSTRUCTOR: TSUNG-JEN SHIH
EMAIL: tjshih@gmail.com
OFFICE HOUR: BY APPOINTMENT
OBJECTIVES:
Many students complain that even after taking a research method class, they still do not have much
idea about conducting their own research. This class, therefore, aims to provide people with both
conceptual and practical skills needed for academic research. Specifically, class participants will be
exposed to “theoretical” explanation of selected research approaches and published papers
employing those methods introduced, followed by hands-on class projects. At the end of the semester,
everyone in this class will possess the ability to write a research paper which meets professional
standards of quality and style.
REQUIREMENTS
1、 Attendance (15%)
One absence is allowed with no penalty. From the second absence, each time you miss the class
will cost you 3 points.
2、 Participation (10%)
This class depends heavily on discussion. Please be prepared to offer critical and constructive
comments, either to the reading assignments or other participants’ work, in class.
3、 Assignments
A. Conceptualization and operationalization (10%)
B. Survey questionnaire critique (10%)
C.
D.
Survey methods and results write up (10%)
Content analysis methods and results write up (10%)
4、 Final presentation (5%) and paper (30%)
Finally, what you have learned in the previous assignments will culminate in a FULL research
paper based on quantitative analysis of the data we collect during the semester. Specifically, this
will include outlining a problem, translating the problem into research questions and testable
hypotheses, developing measures, and providing an analytic answer. The research paper should
be original and plagiarism in any form will result in a FAIL in the class.
All written assignments in this class should be formatted using 12-point font (Arial, Helvetica,
or Times New Roman) and double line spacing, and follow APA style (6th version). Please also
make sure that all of your assignments live up to minimal professional standards, i.e., are
stapled, have cover pages, page numbers, etc.
In addition, each seminar participant is expected to present his or her research paper to the
course, including a longer discussion of the methodological and statistical challenges you
encountered in your study. Each paper will also be discussed by two other participants, similar
to a conference presentation. For the presenters, this means that they should share their papers
with their discussants at least 48 hours before the presentation. The discussants, in turn, are
expected to provide informed and critical feedback. Like all academic discourse, this feedback
should be based on evidence and information rather than normative views and opinions.
The final paper is due at 5pm on January 22, 2014. Please upload your paper to our class Web
site. Late paper will NOT be accepted.
BOOKS
1、 Wimmer, R. D., & Dominick, J. R. (2013). Mass media research. Singapore: Cengage Learning.
2、 Babbie, E. (2012). The practice of social research. CengageBrain. com.
3、 Poindexter, P., & McCombs, M. (1999). Research in mass communication: A practical guide:
Bedford/st Martins.
4、 American Psychological Association manual 6th edition
SCHEDULE
1
2
9/18
9/25
Introduction
Research process
1. Elements of research
2. Components/ structure of a research paper
Readings
Wimmer & Dominick (2013) Chap 1.
3
10/2
Literature review
1. Literature search platforms
2. Software—Endnote
3. How to organize the literature review
section
4
10/9
5
10/16
Conceptualization
1. Defining and measuring constructs
2. The role of theories
Readings:
Babbie (2012) Chap 5.
Presentation—conceptualization and
operationalization
1. Internet use
2. Scientific literacy/ knowledge
3. Internet literacy
C&O assignment due
4. Food values
6
10/23
Questionnaire
1. Designing a questionnaire
Readings:
Poindexter & McCombs
7
8
10/30
11/6
Validity and reliability
1. Evaluation criteria
Questionnaire critique
assignment due (send your
2. Modifying the questionnaire
Readings:
Babbie (2012) Chap 6.
questionnaire before Sunday
11:59pm)
Survey research
1. (Random) Sampling
2. Online survey
3. Survey distribution
Readings:
Babbie (2012) Chap 9; Wimmer & Dominick
(2013) Chap 7.
9
11/13
Analyzing survey data
1. SPSS data entry
2. Frequency distribution
3. Writing the results section
Readings:
Babbie (2012) Chap 14.
10
11/20
Content analysis
1. Unit of analysis
2. Databases
3. Keyword search (in-class practice)
4. Sampling
Readings:
Wimmer & Dominick (2013) Chap 6.
11
11/27
Designing content analysis instruments
1. Codebook and coding process
Methods/ result section write
up assignment due
2. Inter-coder reliability (dfreelon.org)
3. In-class coding
4. Data entry
12
12/4
13
12/11
Analyzing content analysis data
1. Frequency and cross-tabulation
APA 6 style
1. In-text citation and bibliography
2. Levels of heading
3. Cover page
14
12/18
Experimental studies
1. Basic design
2. Internal validity
Readings:
Babbie (2012) Chap 8; Wimmer & Dominick
(2013) Chap 9.
15
12/25
Qualitative research method
1//1
1/8
1/15
Wimmer & Dominick (2013) Chap 10.
No class
Final project presentation
Final project presentation
16
17
18
Content analysis methods
and result write up
assignment due