MCOM 490

Course prerequisites:  Students must be a junior or senior and have completed 18 credits of COMM or MCOM coursework. Students who do not meet these criteria must drop the class.

Course Overview:  This course is designed as a survey of the methods and applications of research in mass media fields, including: journalism, advertising/public relations, journalism, new media, politics, etc...  We will cover numerous approaches that are currently used in the media industries.

At the end of the course the student should be able to:

·         Design and implement research agendas

·         Find and analyze relevant literature for specific research questions

·         Interpret results from research projects

·         Present data, summarize findings and draw conclusions based upon research

·         Analyze data using descriptive and simple statistical tests

·         Prepare a research report and a proposal for future research

Students will be introduced to the field of mass media research.  We will discuss many different methods while learning how to utilize software applications (SPSS mainly) to analyze and present data  Upon completion of this course students should have a basic understanding of research in the media industry.

Texts and Other Readings: 

1. First textbook:  Research in Mass Communication: A Practical Guide. (2000) by Poindexter and McCombs. Bedford/St. Martin's. New York.

2. SPSS for Introductory Statistics, 3nd ed., by George Morgan et al., LEA 2004 (Bring this book with you to class for SPSS lab assignments)
3. Occasionally, I will distribute materials in class or add links to this syllabus.

Format: The basis of our class approach is a mix of structured lectures, group discussion and individual and group exercises. This is punctuated by live and computer/network/videotape demonstrations. Given the cumulative nature of the course content and many of the readings, it is important for you to keep pace.

Work: There will be a mid-term and final in this course.  You are expected to participate and attend all class sessions. There will be several quizzes throughout the semester, in addition to class exercises that will usually be completed during class. There will be no make-ups for quizzes or class exercises. Most importantly, a 20-25 page group final project is required.

Grading:

You are responsible for these as well as conventional materials (texts, handouts, tapes). Attendance is mandatory (unless excused by illness or other urgent need).  Excused absences will only be given if you notify me prior to class time and provide documentation.  Missing assignments (unexcused) will count as zero and late assignments will receive a 10-20% grade reduction per calendar day they are late. 

I use plus/minus grading:

Plagiarism (representing someone else's work as your own) is not acceptable behavior in universities, nor is copying materials from your classmates. I will spot check papers for plagiarism. Any form of cheating will not be tolerated and papers/assignments/tests with clearly plagiarized material will result in course failure and university officials on academic conduct will be notified.  Please see the attached Plagiarism Memo.

Exams and Assignments (I will discuss each in more detail during class):

Quizzes will cover both reading material presented earlier and material that will be presented that same day in class.

Exams will cover lectures, readings and other course materials.

Homework assignments consist mainly of generating and interpreting output from computerized statistical software applications.

For the final project you will work in groups and produce a 20 to 25 page research paper.

 

Lecture Notes linked in the syllabus below are not a reliable source for studying or a substitute for lectures or text books. They are only a courtesy and should only be used for extra information. Any problems with the links or content of those notes could not be used as an excuse for whatever problems the student faces.

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