Wilfrid Laurier University
Department of Communication Studies
CS 235B
Communication Research Methods
Winter 2014
COURSE DIRECTOR: Dr. Matthew Flisfeder
EMAIL: mflisfeder@wlu.ca
OFFICE LOCATION: 3-127
OFFICE HOURS: Mondays, 3:00-4:00pm
LECTURE: Mondays, 5:30-7:20pm
LOCATION: 1E1
TEACHING ASSISTANTS & EMAIL ADDRESSES:
Peter Kuling pkuling@wlu.ca (B2, B3, & B4)
Julie Pong jpong@wlu.ca (B1)
Tammy Rowe trowe@wlu.ca (B5)
Office Hours: Mon & Wed. 2-3pm, 3-129 DAWB
Office Hours: Tue. 10-11am, 3-127 DAWB
Office Hours: Wed. 5-6pm, 3-127 DAWB
TUTORIALS:
SECTION
B1
B2
B3
B4
B5
B6
INSTRUCTOR
Julia Pong
Peter Kuling
Peter Kuling
Peter Kuling
Tammy Rowe
Matthew Flisfeder
Day/Time
W 2:30-3:20pm
W 3:30-4:20pm
W 4:30-5:20pm
W 5:30-6:20pm
W 6:30-7:20pm
M 4:30-5:20pm
LOCATION
3-103
3-103
3-103
3-103
3-103
P 1017
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to provide students with a broad survey of quantitative and
qualitative research methods used in the study of communication, and to expose students to
the practical application of research methods, drawing on both social science and humanities
approaches to research. Students will learn a variety of perspectives and skills necessary to
complete their own research in communication studies, including: content analysis, survey
research, discourse analysis, semiotics, rhetorical analysis, and historical approaches.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course is designed for students to:
• Enhance their understanding of paradigms of inquiry and how these inform
methodological choices;
• Understand and reflect on the power dimensions and the ethical issues of doing
research;
• Learn how to search for and select scholarly sources, and carry out a research
literature review with appropriate citation;
• Gain basic knowledge of quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method research
designs, their strengths and weaknesses, and their appropriate application; and,
• Gain some practical experience with research design and data gathering.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Gerianne Merrigan, Carole L. Huston, and Russell Johnston, Communication Research
Methods, Canadian Edition (Oxford University Press, 2012). *Listed as CRM in Weekly
Schedule
ASSIGNEMENTS AND GRADING:
Assignment
Due Date
Research Design X 3
As Assigned
Midterm Exam
February 10th, 2014
Final Exam
TBD
Tutorial Participation
Cumulative
Grade Weight
15% (5% Each)
35%
35%
15%
RESEARCH DESIGN ASSIGNMENTS
1. Locating Research – January 27th, 2014
2. Survey Design – March 10th, 2014
3. Data Visualization – March 24th, 2014
Details for these assignments will be posted on My Learning Space and discussed in
tutorial.
POLICY ON LATE ASSIGNMENTS:
Late assignments will be deducted one mark per day (off of your final grade). Students
should submit late assignments (hard copy) to their TA’s/Instructor’s mailbox but may send
a digital copy by email beforehand for date verification only. Hard copies must be
submitted the day following the submission of a digital copy. A hard copy of your
assignment is required for grading. Late assignments will not be accepted one week
after the scheduled due date (unless there is a legitimate reason, which will require official
documentation).
Extensions: Extensions will be granted only under extenuating circumstances, in which
case official documentation will be required in order to justify the submission of a late
assignment. Extensions will not be granted after the deadline has already passed.
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EXAMS – 35% X 2
The midterm exam will cover material from the beginning of the course until reading week.
The final exam will cover material from after the midterm until the end of the course.
Format: Multiple Choice.
TUTORIAL PARTICIPATION – 15%
You are expected to attend lectures and tutorials regularly, and be prepared to make
informed contributions to class discussions, having completed assigned readings prior to
the classes for which they are assigned. Participation is also based upon timely and
appropriate submission of assignments and appreciable endeavours to improve academic
and learning skills. This mark does not include attendance, however, poor attendance will
result in a lower participation mark.
EMAIL
I will only respond to email on regular weekdays, before 5pm. Emails must be sent using a
WLU account. I will only respond to emails from WLU accounts. Please review the course
outline and the course website before sending questions by email. I will not respond to
email questions if the answers can easily be found in course materials. Please keep
emails short. A long email indicates that it might be a better idea to make an appointment to
see me during my office hours. I will not respond to mark/grade inquiries by email.
POWER POINT SLIDES
Power point slides will not be posted on My Learning Space. Lectures provide clarity and
explanation for content found in the course textbooks. It is therefore essential that you study
the assigned readings before coming to class and take notes that will help you to bridge class
content with readings. It is recommended that you get notes from a classmate if you are
absent from class for any reason.
CLASS CONDUCT AND EXPECTATIONS:
You are expected to conduct yourself in a manner respectful of your instructor and your
fellow students. This includes, at a minimum:
 Arriving on time
 Turning off your cell phone upon arrival
 If late, entering the classroom with the least disruption
 Not interrupting or speaking when someone else has the floor
 Using your laptop appropriately (i.e. not for email)
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WEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULE:
January 6th, 2014: Course Introduction
*Tutorials will run this week
January 13th, 2014: Communication and Culture Theory and Methodology
Readings:
CRM, Chapter 1: Introduction to the Field of Communication
January 20th, 2014: Producing Knowledge –
Discovery, Interpretation, and Criticism
Readings:
CRM, Chapter 2: Ethics and Research
CRM, Chapter 3: Three Paradigms of Knowing
January 27th, 2014: Defining the Field of Research Inquiry
*Research Design Assignment #1: Locating Research Due in Tutorial
Readings:
CRM, Chapter 4: Making Claims
CRM, Chapter 5: What Counts as Data?
February 3rd, 2014: Supporting Research Claims
Readings:
CRM, Chapter 6: Warrants for Research Arguments
February 10th, 2014: MIDTERM EXAM
*No tutorials this week
READING WEEK FEBRUARY 17TH-21ST – NO CLASSES SCHEDULED
February 24th, 2014: Surveys and Interviews
Readings:
CRM, Chapter 7: Survey Research
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March 3rd, 2014: Statistics
Readings:
CRM, Chapter 13: Descriptive Statistics
CRM, Chapter 14: Inferential Statistics
March 10th, 2014: Critical and Cultural Studies
*Research Design Assignment # 2: Survey Design Due in Tutorial
Readings:
CRM, Chapter 12: Critical Studies
March 17th, 2014: Content and Discourse Analysis
Readings:
CRM, Chapter 8: Content Analysis
CRM, Chapter 10: Conversation and Discourse Analysis
March 24th, 2014: Individuals, Artefacts, and Events
*Research Design Assignment # 3: Data Visualization Due in Tutorial
Readings:
CRM, Chapter 9: Historical, Policy, and Case Analysis
March 31st, 2014: Ethnographies
Readings:
CRM, Chapter 11: Ethnographic Research
*FINAL EXAM TBA
5
Notes
1.
Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact Laurier's Accessible Learning Office
for information regarding its services and resources. Students are encouraged to review the Calendar
for information regarding all services available on campus.
2.
Students are expected to be aware of and abide by University regulations and policies, as outlined in
the current Undergraduate and Graduate Calendar.
3.
Students must reserve the examination period as stated in the Undergraduate Calendar under Academic
Dates. If you are considering registering for a special examination or event, you should select a time
outside the examination period. Consult with the Undergraduate Calendar for special circumstances for
examination deferral. (Applicable to Undergraduate students only.)
4.
The penalties for plagiarism or any form of academic misconduct are severe and enforced at all times.
The Student Code of Conduct and Discipline, and the procedures for investigating and determining
appropriate disciplinary measures for breaches of the Code are given in the current Undergraduate and
Graduate Calendar.
Please note: submitting the same work to two different courses, or to different sections of the same
course, is academic misconduct and will be addressed according to the procedures outlined in the
Undergraduate and Graduate Calendar. Students who are repeating a course are not permitted to re-use
essays or assignments from the previous course.
Wilfrid Laurier University uses software that can check for plagiarism. Students may be required to
submit their written work in electronic form and have it checked for plagiarism.
5.
Students are to adhere to the Principles in the Use of Information Technology. and the Policy on the
Classroom Use of Electronic Devices. These Principles and Policy, and resulting actions for breaches
are stated in the current Undergraduate and Graduate Calendar. Please see the Policy on the Classroom
Use of Electronic Devices.
6.
Students' names may be divulged in the classroom, both orally and in written form, to other members
of the class. Students who are concerned about such disclosures should contact the course instructor to
identify whether there are any possible alternatives to such disclosures. Additional information on the
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act at Laurier is available at the Privacy
Coordinator Office.