HOW TO READ QUALITATIVE/QUANTITATIVE ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION RESEARCH ARTICLES

PURPOSE:
The purpose of this assignment is first learn how to read, understand, and analyze quantitative/qualitative organizational communication research published in academic journals. Second, explore what is being researched in the field of organizational communication using quantitative or qualitative methods on a topic of your interest.

PROCEDURE:
To complete this assignment: First, SELECT ONE ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION TOPIC or issue of your interest. You can select one of the research topics discussed in the first paper. Second, READ TWO (2) QUANTITATIVE or QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ARTICLES that deal with the topic you have selected. You may select articles from any communication journal. (The names of some journals that may be used for this assignment will be provided in class).

CONTENT AND ORGANIZATION:The content and the organization of your paper must be as follows:

Have a very short purpose statement and preview main points of paper.

1. Report the MAIN PURPOSE of each study (one from each study) and one of the HYPOTHESES OR RESEARCH QUESTIONS (one from each study). Report purposes that are clear and specific. (1 page)

2. Describe the QUANTITATIVE OR QUALITATIVE METHODS used in each studies: (1 page)
    a) for COLLECTING DATA
    b) for ANALYZING DATA
    c) Describe briefly some of the characteristics of the subjects used in each study (the sample sex, age, education,
ethnicity, etc.)

3. Report 2 MAJOR FINDINGS from each study (1 page). These findings must refer to the aspects that researchers learned about the topic as a result of doing the research. Select the ones that are more meaningful and appealing to you. Report findings that are clear and specific.

4. EVALUATE the relevance of the study (1 page) in terms of what: a) you have learned, b) the contribution that this research does to the field of  communication, and c) the social and/or personal implications of the findings.

The reference of the two research articles must be in the last page (page 5) of the paper using APA or MLA style. In order to get a good grade on this paper, try to answer the questions thoroughly, creatively and in depth. If you have any question concerning this assignment, please see me.

This paper is 4 pages, typed, 1.5 spaced. It is worth 10 points.

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