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Required Texts: Boyle, M.P. & Schmierbach, M. (2015). Applied communication research methods: Getting started as a researcher. New York: Routledge. ISBN: 978-0-7656-4233-2 (paperback) 978-1-315-71864-4 (ebook)
Strongly Recommended Text: APA Manual, Sixth Edition
You will need email and internet access for this course.
Objectives (in no particular order):
Class requirements:
90 - 93% A- 94 - 100% A 80 - 82% B- 83 - 86% B 87 - 89% B+ 70 - 72% C- 73 - 76% C 77 - 79% C+ 60 - 62% D- 63 - 66%; D 67 - 69% D+ 0 - 59% F
Research papers: Each student will be required to orally present the results of four research pilots and write three research papers. All four will be on the same/similar topic of human communication/organizational behavior and will utilize the same essential literature review (15 credible sources). However, they will use different methods of gathering and analyzing data. The first research oral presentation will use a qualitative approach; the second research papers will let you practice observational methods (content analysis) with statistical analysis; the third paper will use survey/scale methods with statistical analysis; and the final with be a paper using pseudo-experimental research methods with statistical analysis. Class members can be used as participants (if appropriate for the population of interest) and can help recruit other participants. Papers must be in APA style, 15-20 pp. (25 pp. max) with cover page, abstract and no identifying self references within the text of the paper.
Research Paper Guidelines
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If you intend or want to be able to submit your paper for a conference or publication, you MUST complete and receive human subjects permission. You can find information on human subjects as well as the forms to complete under human subjects on the Purdue Human Subjects website.
Sharing results: Each student is also required to share the findings of the lit review and each pilot in class on the day it is due. Limited use of ppt or other visual aid is allowed for tables, images, etc.
Class participation (homework and in-class exercises): Unless you are already very conversant with research methods and statistical procedures, your attendance and completion of homework assignments is essential to your learning as they offer you the chance to practice the skills you will need in your research papers both in this class and out. Please let me know when you have questions. There are many useful websites on statistics (some are listed under spcecific topics in the agenda below). Here is a general stats site:
Perpetual Handbook: Each group will be assigned one of the three quantitative methods to write a "notes for next class" handbook. This handbook should include information, tips, and resources that you feel were/could be useful in completing that particular methods' data gathering, analysis, and write-up. It should not duplicate information provided by your textbook or me but can draw attention to any of those that are particularly useful or that you feel confused the issue
General Class Structure:
Date | Topics | Due
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Homework Due by Monday following class |
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January 9 |
Research: What is it and what's the point? Read the parts of Chapters 1, 2 and Chapter 3 you need to understand concepts and answers questions here: Understanding the research process
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16 | Theories, Literature Review and H/RQ Writing the argument for the H/RQ: theories and literature?
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5-7 sources for your topic including one empirical research study | |
23 | Qualitative Methods and Ethics Chapter 12 Qualitative Research Method
Chapter 4 Ethics of Research |
Potential outline for lit review with at least five references, leading to H/RQ |
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30 |
Qualitative Analysis |
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February 6 |
Content Analysis Method Chapter 11 Content Analysis - method and intercoder reliability
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Research Team: Literature Review and Method One Oral presentation Due | Intercoder reliability homework |
13 | Content Analysis Analysis
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Girl Power: Literature Review and Method One Oral presentation Due |
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20
42 |
Survey/Scale Method and alternative coding Alternative method for coding data: Christa Jennings - bring your data!!
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Red Pencil Collection: Literature Review and Method One Oral presentation Due | |
27 |
Survey/scale methods Chapter 6: Reliability and Validity |
Research Team: Content Analysis Paper Due | Extra credit homework - Confidence Interval Exercise
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March 6 |
Spring Break - no class | ||
13
|
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Girl Power: Content Analysis Paper Due | |
20
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Survey/scale Analysis
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Red Pencil Collection: Content Analysis Paper Due |
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27 |
Experimental Methods Experimental Methods: Chapter 9 pp. 211-227- general overview
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Research Team:: Survey Paper Due Red Pencil: Perpetual Handbook due for Content Analysis |
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April
3
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Experimental Analysis Experimental data analysis: Chapter 15 pp. 378-381: ANOVA
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Girl Power: Survey Paper Due |
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10 |
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Red Pencil Collection: Survey Paper Due | |
17 |
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Research Team: Experimental Paper Method Due Girl Power: Perpetual Handbook Due for Survey Method |
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24 |
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Girl Power: Experimental Paper Due | |
May 1
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6:15 - 8:15 pm (probably) Which method worked best for your topic? |
Red Pencil Collection: Experimental Paper Due Research Team: Perpetual Handbook Due for Experimental Method |