Mass Comm Research Methods Dwight Bentel Hall 129
2005 Fall Semester Phone: 408-924-3239
Mondays: 6:30-9:15 p.m. btillinghast@casa.sjsu.edu
Dwight Bentel Hall 213 Office Hours:
Mon: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Mon. 9:15-10:30 p.m.
Wed: 2:30-3:30 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: MCom 295 focuses on a systematic review of mass communications research techniques and their applications to research questions Ð qualitative (focus, case study biographical, historical) and quantitative (content analysis, survey and experimental). An elementary statistics course is helpful. Specific course objectives are:
(1) Provide student with foundation to critically assess and articulate mass communications research rigor, method and value to field.
(2) Enable students to identify fruitful research questions liked to proper literature base, operationally define, measure and statistically test.
(3) Prepare students to successfully complete thesis or project proposals.
REQUIRED TEXTS: Russell K Schutt, Investigating the Social World, (4th edition)
ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING:
Three take-home-examinations (Sep. 26, Nov. 7 and May 23) --- 50%
Project proposal presentation (in-class and to committee) --------- 25
Two data analysis exercises --------------------------------------------------- 15
In-class critiques (article and method) ------------------------------------- 10
NOTE: Students who do not submit a thesis or project proposal by the last deadline of the semester (April 30) will be required to enroll in MCOM 298 until their proposal is accepted by the Graduate Committee.
THIRD TAKE-H0ME TEST DUE -- MONDAY, DECEMBER 12 BY 5:00 P.M.