COMM 300 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
Rutgers, The State University
of New Jersey
Spring 2012
Tue/Thur 2:50-4:10pm
(CI 103)
Prof. Keith Hampton
Course website: http://ecollege.rutgers.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Communication research is all
around us: in textbooks and journal
articles, in newspaper stories and TV talk shows, in political debates and
government decision-making. Social
research often involves us even more directly, as subjects in marketing surveys
and public opinion polls. Being an
informed citizen requires knowing how to evaluate research results. Career success also often requires knowing
how to use social research methods.
In this course, you will
study the basic methods used in communication research and learn how to
interpret the findings from this research.
A variety of class activities will help you to develop your methodological
skills: critiquing research articles, using the Internet, research ethics, and research
projects.
PREREQUISITS
04:189:101.
Introduction to Communication and Information Processes
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
ORGANIZATION OF THE COURSE
This
course will consist of a combination of lectures, workshops, group work, and
research activities. The course is designed around a central textbook
supplemented with additional readings that are intended to stimulate in-class
discussion. Readings, videos, and examples from the news will be introduced
into the classroom to engage students in a dialogue that will require students
to “think on their feet” to evaluate research projects. Textbook and classroom
material will be reinforced through a series of in-class group workshops where
students will work with their peers in small groups to formulate and refine
research questions, design surveys, do qualitative observations, present their
findings, and prepare written reports of their conclusions.
Students are expected to have
read the week’s readings in advance of the course meeting. Class meetings will be
in a discussion format, there will be a limited amount of lecturing, instead
students and instructor will explore key concepts through a guided dialogue. Students
should be prepared to participate in a discussion based on the topic and
readings of the week.
Use of mobile phones and
computing devices in class, for purposes unrelated to note taking and direct
class participation, will adversely affect your grade. Students are expected to
attend all classes; if you expect to miss one or two classes, please use the
University absence reporting website – https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra/
– to indicate the date and reason for your absence. An email will automatically
be sent to the instructor from this system. Note that if you miss classes for
longer than one week, you should contact a dean of students to help verify your
circumstances. Students are responsible for getting course notes from their classmates, the instructor will not provide you with notes.
Students are never granted permission to make audio or video recordings of the
class.
ASSESSMENT
Final grades will be based on
successful completion of two in-class exams (25% each, 50% total), four mini assignments
(40% total), and two group presentations (5% each, 10% total). All assignments
are due at the beginning of the class and must be submitted in-person and on
paper; assignments cannot be submitted online or by email.
Final grades will be assigned
according to the following scale:
A: 90-100%
B+ 85-89%
B 80-84%
C+ 75-79%
C 70-74%
D 60-69%
F below 60%
All grades are final. Please
do not ask to have your grade changed for reasons other than mathematical
error. There are no opportunities for extra credit in the course. However, if
you contribute regularly to in-class discussion, the instructor will boost your
final grade up if you happen to be on the border between two grades. A grade of
“incomplete” will not be assigned except in the most unusual, extreme (and
generally emergency) circumstances.
Assignments
Assignment #1 (10%): Problem Formulation:
Due: Feb 14
Early in the semester
students will form into small research groups. The group will agree on a common
“research problem”. In this assignment students will work with their group’s common
research problem to develop their own research question, search the literature,
and propose several hypotheses. Each student will receive an individual grade
based on a mini-proposal (apx. 2 pages in length).
Assignment #2 (15%): Survey Design
Due: Mar 27
Students will continue to
work with their groups on their common research problem. In this assignment group
members must decide on one research question and a series of hypotheses that will
be tested using a survey. Group members will work together to write and review
questions for a survey, draft a questionnaire, and propose a research plan. Each
group will submit one proposal. In most cases students in a group will receive
the same grade for this group work. However, each student will also submit a confidential
description of their work and the work of their team members. Individual work
statements will be taken into account when deciding to give any team member a
higher or lower grade for the project (apx. 5 pages in length).
Assignment #3 (15%): Survey Research Findings
Due: April 26
Students will continue to
work with their groups on their common research problem. Based on the feedback
groups received from the instructor, groups will revise their survey for
administration. Each group will be responsible for administering their survey
to a sample of Rutgers students. Each student will be responsible for
completing a minimum number of surveys and entering the results of their survey
into a spreadsheet that will be shared with group members and the instructor. Each
student will use the group’s combined dataset to complete an individual
research report (apx. 5 pages in length).
Assignment #4 (10%): Qualitative Observations
Due: April 5
Students will work in a small
group to select a social setting on the Rutgers campus to preform qualitative
observations. The group must agree on a topic for investigation and receive
approval from the instructor prior to starting observations. Each student must
complete a minimum of two hours of independent observations. Students will
submit their individual observation notes and an individual summary of their
findings (apx. 3 pages in length).
Presentations
Group Presentation #1 (5%):
Qualitative Research Project
Date: April 10
Students will be given the
opportunity to meet with their group members and review the findings of their
observations from their group’s common social setting. Group members will
combine their observations and make a 5-minute mini-presentation. In most cases
students in a group will receive the same grade for their group presentation;
however the instructor reserves the right to vary the grades if there are
marked differences in the presentations or related work.
Group Presentation #2 (5%):
Quantitative Research Project
Date: April 24-26
Students will be given the
opportunity to meet with their group members and review the findings of their
common survey. Group members will make a 5-10-minute mini-presentation of their
findings. In most cases students in a group will receive the same grade for
their group presentation; however the instructor reserves the right to vary the
grades if there are marked differences in the presentations or related work.
Grading of Assignments and Presentations
An A grade will be awarded to
an assignment that both fills the terms of the assignment and shows evidence of
out-of-the-ordinary, creative, analytical, and interesting thought. A B grade
will be awarded if the terms of the assignment have been fulfilled thoroughly
and thoughtfully, with some evidence of originality and creativity. Assignments
that merely fulfill the terms of the assignment will receive a C grade. Assignments
that fail to fulfill the terms of the assignment will receive a D. An
assignment that does not approximate the terms of the assignment will receive
an F.
Exams
Date: Exam #1: Mar 6
Date: Exam #2: April 12
The exams will consist
entirely of multiple-choice questions. The exams will cover all readings and
class materials, this includes the textbook, additional readings, videos, and
all material discussed in class. The exams will be cumulative.
To take a class exam, you
will need to do the following:
Late Assignments and Missed Exams
If you miss an exam, to be
allowed to make up the exam, you must: 1) have an acceptable excuse, and 2)
contact the instructor before the time of the exam. The only acceptable excuses
to miss an exam or submit a late assignment are a) an illness that can be substantiated
by a note from a medical professional, b) a family death documented by a death
certificate. A 25% penalty will be deducted from your grade for each day an
assignment is late unless the appropriate documentation has been received.
There are no exceptions to this policy.
Group Work
A significant proportion of the
final grade in this course will result from work that a student starts or
completes as part of a small group. Students will be allowed to form their own
groups, but the instructor reserves the right to move students to different
groups. The course is designed so that all group work can be started during class
time. During group workshops students will have the opportunity to meet with
their groups and to engage in a discussion with the instructor. While all group
work can be started in class, it will not always be possible to complete group
activities within the class period. Group members should exchange contact
information and make use of the discussion forums on the class website to share
information, arrange meetings, and coordinate research activities.
Academic Integrity
The consequences of
scholastic dishonesty are very serious. Evidence of plagiarism, cheating,
fabrication, facilitation of dishonesty, academic sabotage, criminal activity,
or other violations of research or professional ethics will be dealt with
severely – at a minimum students will receive a grade of “F” in the course.
Rutgers academic integrity policy is at http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu.
OTHER INFORMATION
Students seeking help with
the content of this course should contact the instructor either during office
hours, or make a separate appointment. When seeking advisement and support,
email is no substitute for an in person meeting with the instructor. Students
should plan ahead and consult with the instructor in advance of any due dates.
Do not expect a detailed response by email to requests for advice or review of
materials, students should come to office hours, contact the instructor for a
scheduled in person meeting, or bring up your issue in class at the start of
the class meeting.
COURSE MATERIALS
The
following books are on reserve at Alexander Library and are available for
purchase the Rutgers bookstore and at other outlets.
Required Texts:
Schutt,
Russell K (2011). Investigating
the Social World: The Process and Practice of Research, 7the ed. Sage.
It
is important that students acquire the 7th
edition of this textbook. It is
available from the Rutgers bookstore, or an electronic version is available
online at: http://www.coursesmart.com/9781412999809
All
other readings, files, and grades will be available from the course website: http://ecollege.rutgers.edu.
COURSE OUTLINE
WEEK 1 – Introduction to the Research Enterprise
Jan
17
Readings: None.
Jan
19
Readings:
Schutt: Preface and Chapter 1.
WEEK 2 – The Research Process / Research Ethics
Jan
24
Reading:
Schutt: Chapter 2, Appendixes A, B.
Reading: Hampton, K. N., Livio,
O., & Goulet, L. S. (2010). The Social Life of
Wireless Urban Spaces: Internet Use, Social Networks, and the Public Realm. Journal of Communication, 60(4),
701-722.
Jan 26
Reading: Schutt: Chapter 3
Video: Obedience.
WEEK 3 (Jan
31-Feb2) – Problem Formulation / Literature Review
Jan
31
Reading: Hampton, K.N. and Wellman, B. (2003). “Neighboring
in Netville: How the Internet Supports Community and Social Capital in a Wired
Suburb.” City and Community 2(4),
277-311.
Group workshop: Problem Formulation.
Feb
2
Group workshop: Meet in Information Handling Labs (IHL) 413-415 to refine research questions
and conduct initial literature review.
WEEK 4 – Ethics Part II / Measurement
Feb
7
Reading: Schutt:
Chapter 4
Video: Quiet Rage: The Stanford Prison Study.
Feb
9
Reading: Hampton,
K. N. (2011). Comparing Bonding and Bridging Ties for Democratic Engagement:
Everyday Use of Communication Technologies within Social Networks for Civic and
Civil Behaviors. Information,
Communication & Society, 14(4), 510-528.
WEEK 5 – Sampling / Research Design and Causation
Feb
14
Reading: Schutt: Chapter 5
Reading: McPherson,
M., Smith-Lovin, L., & Brashears, M. E. (2006). Social Isolation in America:
Changes in Core Discussion Networks Over Two Decades. American Sociological
Review, 71, 353-375.
Due:
Assignment #1: Problem Formulation.
Feb
16
Reading:
Schutt: Chapter 6
Reading: Steinfield, C., Ellison, N. B, & Lampe, C. (2008). Social
Capital, self-esteem, and use of online social network sites: a longitudinal
analysis. Journal of Applied
Developmental Psychology 29: 434-445.
WEEK 6 – Experiments
Feb
21
Reading:
Schutt: Chapter 7
Reading: Dill, KE, Brown, BP, & Collins MA (2008). Effects of exposure to sex-stereotyped video game characters on
tolerance of sexual harassment. Journal
of Experimental Social Psychology 44(5): 1402-1408.
Feb
23
Reading: None
Video:
Research Methods (Anderson &
Dill).
WEEK 7 – Survey Research
Feb
28
Reading:
Schutt: Chapter 8
Reading: Hampton,
K. N., Goulet, L. S., Rainie, L., & Purcell, K.
(2011). Social Networking Sites and Our Lives: How People’s Trust, Personal
Relationships, and Civic and Political Involvement are Connected
to Their Use of Social Networking Sites and Other Technologies. Washington, DC:
Pew Research.
Mar 1
Group workshop: Survey design.
WEEK
8 – Exam / Survey Research (Cont.)
Mar 6
In-Class Exam
#1
Mar 8
Group
workshop: Survey design.
WEEK 9 – Spring Break
Mar
13
No class meeting
Mar 15
No class meeting
WEEK 10 – Qualitative Research
Mar
20
Reading:
Schutt: Chapter 9, 10
Reading: Hampton, K. N., & Gupta, N. (2008). Community and Social Interaction in the Wireless City. New Media & Society, 10(6), 831-850.
Mar
22
Group
workshop: Qualitative observation.
WEEK 11 – Qualitative Research (Cont.)
Mar 27:
Reading: Schutt:
Chapter 13
Due: Assignment #2: Survey Design
Mar
29
No class meeting: ethnographic observations.
WEEK 12 – Quantitative Data Analysis
April
3
Reading:
Schutt: Chapter 14
April
5
Group
workshop: Discuss and combine
ethnographic observations
Due:
Assignment #4: Qualitative methods
WEEK 13 – Exam / Presentations: Qualitative project
April
10:
Due: Group Presentations I: Ethnographic observations
April 12:
In-Class Exam #2
WEEK 14 – Quantitative
Research Project
April
17
Group workshop: Data entry
April 19
Group
workshop: Survey findings
WEEK 15 – Presentations: Quantitative Project
April
24
Reading: Schutt: Chapter 15
Due: Group Presentations
II: Survey Research
April
26
Due: Group Presentations
II: Survey Research
Due: Assignment #3: Survey research findings.