A field such as Communication Studies defines itself by the integrity of its research. To be capable of reading and making contributions to a field's literature, it is essential that a student have a working knowledge of research methods. This course is designed to help students develop skills to critically interact with the discipline's research through an examination of the fundamental concepts and terminology of social science research.

The course is organized around the conceptual development of an original research project by each student through which the concepts of social science research can be demonstrated and applied. Students select an area of interest within the interpersonal or mass communication fields and develop a research question and a hypothesis concerning how TWO concepts relate to each other.

The objectives of the course are:

1. To introduce the student to the fundamental concepts and terminology of social science research as they relate to the field of Communication Studies
   
   
2. To give the student a critical awareness of quantitative research carried out in the field of Communication Studies
   
   
3. To prepare the student to write and propose scholarship in Communication Studies
   
   
4. To develop students' skills in using library and web resources
   

Radford, Marie L., Barnes, Susan B., and Barr, Linda R. (2002). Web research: Selecting, evaluating, and citing. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Sumser, John (2001). A guide to empirical research in communication: Rules for looking. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Willis, F. N. and Briggs, L. F. (1992). Relationship and touch in public settings. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 16(1), 55-63.

Radford, G. P., Morganstern, B. F., McMickle, C. W., and Lehr, J. K. (1994). The impact of four conferencing formats on the efficiency and quality of small group decision making in a laboratory experiment setting. Telematics and Informatics, 11(2), 97-109.

Martin, M. M., Anderson, C. M., & Mottet, T. P. (1997). The relationship between perceived understanding and self-disclosure in the sibling relationship. Communication Research Reports, 14(3), 331-338.

Midterm and Final Exams

Designed to enhance and evaluate the student's understanding of concepts presented in the textbook.

Summaries of Selected Research Studies

To enable the students to identify and evaluate the social science research concepts in selected examples of communication research.

Identification of Research Question

The student will provide a list of at least five research questions from which one will be chosen as the basis as the semester long project.

The Pre-proposal

This is a short paper of 3-4 pages which describe the student's initial attempts to develop an appropriate research question using books, textbooks, and reference books.

The Journal Article Search

A short paper of 3-4 pages where the student develops an annotated bibliography of journal articles appropriate for the research question.

The Webliography

Student develops an annotated bibliography of websites appropriate to the research question. See Web Resources.

The Literature Review

Student's will review existing primary communication research articles on their research question and use it to develop an appropriate hypothesis.

A major objective of this course is that students gain a working knowledge of the resources contained within the Fairleigh Dickinson University Library. Two library instruction sessions will be given by a librarian experienced in the communication literature covering the use of primary communication research. Evidence of effective library research will comprise a significant portion of the final grade.

All written work done in this class is required to follow the REPORT format as specified by the APA (American Psychological Association) style manual. The major guidelines for writing reports are provided for you in the handbook supplied.

All written work should be TYPED and DOUBLE SPACED.

All written work should have a separate title page with the title of the paper, your name, the name of this class, the name of your professor, and the date the assignment is due by (see Example Title Page in the handbook). There are no exceptions to these requirements. Handwritten reports, outlines, things ripped out of notebooks, and work without title pages, however neat they might be, are NOT acceptable and points will be deducted accordingly.

Always keep a photocopy of all assignments that you turn in. If an assignment is lost, regardless of fault, it will be your responsibility to provide a second copy.

All written work should be turned in on the date of the deadline contained on the syllabus, not before. Any assignment turned in after the deadline will be assigned a D grade, regardless of its quality (except if it merits a failing grade).

Classes will begin on time and students are expected to be punctual. Reading assignments, including textbook and supplemental readings, are considered required. The ability to apply these materials to written assignments comprise a significant component of the grades awarded. Due to the nature of the class, in-class activities, presentations, and discussions missed cannot be made up. Extra credit does not exist. If you must be absent from this class, it is your responsibility to notify the professor in advance (if possible).

Attendance will be kept in this course. Three or more unexcused absences will result in the dropping of one letter grade on the final grade.

Any evidence of plagiarism, the appropriation or imitation of the language, thoughts, or methods of another and representation of them as one's own original work, will automatically result in an F grade for the assignment and possibly an F grade for the course. All sources referred to should be properly cited.

Attendance at this class signifies that the student has agreed to abide by and adhere to the policies and regulations specified above. It is understood that the instructor may adapt or change this syllabus and the assignments contained within it according to circumstances that may arise during the course of the class.

1. Introduction to the Course
   
   
2. Dividing up the World
   Sumser, Chapter 1: "What is Social Science Methodology"
   Sumser, Chapter 2: "Dividing up the World: Using Variables in the Social Sciences"
   Exercise: Develop 5 Research Questions
   
   
3. Using the Library to Locate Secondary Sources of Communication Research
   MEET AT THE LIBRARY
   5 Research Questions Due
   Pre-Proposal Set
   
   
4. Developing the Research Question
   Sumser, Chapter 3: "Operationalization: Just Exactly What do you Mean by That?"
   Pre-Proposal Due
   
   
5. Using the Library to Locate Primary Sources of Communication Research
   MEET AT THE LIBRARY
   Sumser, Appendix A: "List of Journals"
   Journal Article Search Set
   Summary #1 Set
   
   
6. Research in the Field
   Sumser, Chapter 6: "Fieldwork: Looking at People in Actual Environments"
   Summary #1 Due (Willis and Briggs, 1992)
   
   
7. Experimental Research
   Sumser, Chapter 7: "The Experiment"
   Summary #2 Due (Radford et al, 1994)
   
   
8. Using the Web as a Research Tool
   Radford et al, Chapters 1-6
   Guest Speaker: Dr. Marie L. Radford
   Journal Article Search Due
   Webliography Set
   Summary #3 Set
   
   
9. Survey Research
   Sumser, Chapter 8: "Surveys"
   Summary #3 Due (Morris et al, 1995)
   Review for Midterm Examination
   
   
10. Midterm Examination
    
    
11. Making Sense of the Midterm
    Webliography Due
    Literature Review Set
    
    
12. Preparing the Literature Review
    Sumser, Chapter 5: "Writing the Research Paper: Research Methodology as Rhetorical Strategy"
    
    
13. Preparing the Literature Review
    
    
14. Final Examination Review
    Literature Review Due
    
    
15. Final Examination