JOURNALISM 492

JOURNALISM 492

MASS COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

INSTRUCTOR: JIMMIE MANNING, PHD

NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Office: 386 Science & Technology

Phone: 572-1329 Mailbox: 134 Landrum

E-mail: manningj1@nku.edu (This is the best way to reach me.)

Office hours: I will be available forty-five minutes after each Tuesday or Thursday
class period or by appointment.

Course Description (from Undergraduate Catalog)

Methods of conducting, interpreting, and reporting research relating to mass communications, mass media, public relations, and advertising.

Texts

1. Poindexter, P. M. (2000). Research in mass communication: A practical guide. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

2. Research articles available from Steely Library (as needed for class projects and research).

Course Goals

To analyze and consider a variety of methods and theories related to mass communication research and whether these methods or theories are valid and/or reliable in a given context and with a given population (demonstrated through classroom discussion, daily assignments, a class research project, and exams).

To procure an understanding of where and how research regarding mass communication can be located and/or published (demonstrated through composing a journal report).

To cultivate academic journal literacy (demonstrated through analyzing and reviewing an assigned academic journal article).

To practice the development and execution of mass communication research (demonstrated through participation in designing and executing a class research project).

To develop the collaborative and contributive skills needed to work as part of a research team (demonstrated through participation in designing and executing a class research project).

Course Requirements and Policies

Grading - Final grades will be assessed from the 500 point total on the following scale:

900-1000: A

800-899: B

700-799: C

600-699: D

Less than 600 points will result in a failing grade for the course. The instructor does not adjust grades at the end of the semester (in other words, points will not change for people who are one or more points away for a higher grade). Semester grades are non-negotiable. If you have a question about how an assignment is graded, the instructor will set up an appointment with you to talk about the grading procedure. You must, however, do this soon after the graded assignment is returned.

Individual assignment details are as follow:

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION (150 points total, or 15%)

Your Class Participation grade will be based on a combination of your (a) attendance, (b) in-class involvement, and (c) class citizenship, as described below:

(a) Attendance: Roll will be taken at the beginning of each class session. No attempt will be made to differentiate between excused and unexcused absences; you can miss two classes, for any reason, with no attendance penalty. After TWO absences, your Class Participation score will be affected as follows:

3 absences: Highest possible Class Participation score will be 120

4 absences: Highest possible Class Participation score will be 75

5 absences: Class Participation score will be 0

7 or more absences: Fail the course

(b) In-class involvement: Your contributions to class discussions are vital. I want to hear your comments, questions, and examples. Because this is a course that calls for lots of discussion, if I never hear your voice in class unless I call on you your highest possible Class Participation grade will be 75.

lectures/activities, or are impolite to your fellow students (or me!), your highest possible Class Participation grade will be 60.

CHAPTER ASSIGNMENTS (10 points each, 150 points total, or 15%)

At the end of each chapter in the Poindexter and McCombs text is a list of tasks labeled as Suggested Research Activities. After reading each chapter students must complete these items (sometimes modified by the instructor) with the exception of chapters 15 and 16. Each problem set, then, corresponds with the chapter number (see course schedule).

RESEARCH PROJECT CONTRIBUTION (100 points total, or 10%)

Throughout the course members the class will conceive, plan, execute, and write up a research project (completed in groups). Much of the work for these projects will occur through chapter assignments and in-class work; some of the work will require time out of class. While the project work will often factor into your attendance/participation grade and your chapter assignment grades, at three points in the semester I will collect a self- and group-assessment of how much each students is contributing to the project (both quantitatively and qualitatively).

ARTICLE REPORT (100 points total, or 10%)

Each student will select be assigned one article from an academic journal publishing mass communication research. She or he will then dissect and analyze the article according to a set of questions provided by the instructor.

JOURNAL BRIEF (100 points total, or 10%)

Each student will select be assigned one academic journal primarily dedicated to publishing mass communication research. She or he will then create a journal information sheet to photocopy and distribute to other members of the class.

EXAMS (400 points total, or 40%)

Four examinations will be administered throughout the semester. These examinations will be weighted based upon the amount of course material covered in the examination. Examination question styles include true/false, multiple choice, completion, short answer, and essay-style questions. All material covered in the course is a possibility for exams. The exams are not comprehensive, but keep in mind concepts learned in this course will continue to build so information learned early in the course is vital to the information learned later. Also, please keep in mind no study guides will be distributed by the instructor for the examinations – so please take notes and pay attention to material covered in class accordingly.

Tentative Class Schedule

WEEK ONE: Course Orientation and Introduction to the Research Process

Mon, 7/2 Syllabus distributed, class assignments distributed and discussed

Tues, 7/3 Lecture: The what and why of research; Problem Set 1 due

Wed, 7/4 NO CLASS – Enjoy Independence Day!

Thurs, 7/5 Exam #1: Introduction to Research and the Three-Phase Research Process; Lecture: Examining research databases

Fri, 7/6 Lecture: Initiating research; Problem Set 2 due

WEEK TWO: Examining Survey Research

Mon, 7/9 Lecture: Developing research questions and literature reviews; Problem Set 3 due

Tues, 7/10 Lecture: Questionnaire construction; Problem Set 4 due

Wed, 7/11 Lecture: Finding research participants; Problem Set 5 due

Thurs, 7/12 Lecture: Collecting data; Problem Set 6 due

Fri, 7/13 Dr. Manning’s birthday! In-class research project work day

WEEK THREE: Analysis Methodologies and Techniques

Note: Data collection for group research projects should occur this week!

Mon, 7/16 Lecture: Coding and processing data; Problem Set 7 due

Tues, 7/17 Lecture: Statistics and data analysis; Problem Set 8 due

Wed, 7/18 In-class research project work day; Article report due

Thurs, 7/19 Lecture: Reporting results; Problem Set 9 due

Fri, 7/20 Lecture: Post-research; Problem Set 10 due

WEEK FOUR: Survey of Research Methods

Mon, 7/23 Exam #2: Surveys and Research Analysis

Tues, 7/24 Lecture: Content analysis; Problem Set 11 due

Wed, 7/25 Lecture: Experiments; Problem Set 12 due

Thurs, 7/26 Lecture: Focus groups and interviews; Problem Set 13 due

Fri, 7/27 Lecture: Other research methods; Problem Set 14 due

WEEK FIVE: Final Considerations of the Research Process

Mon, 7/30 Exam #3: Research Methods; In-class research project work day

Tues, 7/31 Lecture: Ethics and researching diverse populations; Journal briefs due

Wed, 8/1 Lecture: Exploring academic research; Lecture: Review of journals

Thurs, 8/2 Final in-class research project work day; Problem Set 17 due

Fri, 8/3 Exam #4: Ethics, Diversity, and the Academy; Write-up of group project due; Group member evaluation sheets due