GROUP PROJECT
CONDUCTING QUANTITATIVE COMMUNICATION INQUIRY

The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with the opportunity of integrating theory and practice through reflection and action. Therefore, you goal as a team is to learn how to conduct quantitative  communication inquiry. The process entails the following tasks: gathering, analyzing, interpreting data, and developing an action plan to improve communication.

Each team selects:
1) A Specific Issue or Topic to be researched. (Each team is free to select the topic)
2) A Specific Sample (Group of People) or a Community Organization
3) Complete the following tasks:

I.  Introduction: Purpose and Preview the main points of the research project. (1/5 of a page)

II. Literature review on the topic selected (2 pages) This literature research should be based on the reading of two (2) quantitative communication articles related to the topic of your research project discussed using quantitative methods.  Discuss the four (4) most important insights (related to literature review, research questions, methods, findings, and/or conclusions) that you have gained after reading the two (2) articles). What are the insights that you consider to be most relevant for you to have a better understanding of the issue and to guide the design of the course of action for improving communication and promoting social change.

III. Description of the sample: Describe the sample you are going to use for this study (how many subjects and some of their characteristics: education, sex, cultural background, tenure, and position). If you conduct the research in an Organization describe briefly the organization or department (Type of Org., Mission, Number of Members and Cultural Background, Org. Structure (Chart), Location)

IV. Description of the research methods (1/2 of a page)
1. Describe of the method you are going to use for collecting data (QUESTIONNAIRE). A copy of your questionnaire should go as appendixes after the Reference Section. (Description should include: Names of the Dimensions or Focal Areas and number of questions for each Dimension)

The Questionnaire should have 3-5 Dimensions or Focal Areas (Subtopics of the Main Topic of the research project) and under each focal area you should have 3 to 5 questions. The total number of questions for the questionnaire should be around 15-20.(Instructions will be given in class).

    Every team member will be responsible for collecting 5 questionnaires using the SAME QUESTIONNAIRE

2. Describe the method you are going to use for analyzing data:  the statistics conducted, such as mean, standard deviation, etc. (Instructions will be given in class).

V. Research results or findings (2 pages) (1/2 of a page)

In this section report the findings based on the statistical analysis by dimensions (Use graphs to visualize findings). (Instructions will be given in class).

VI. Conclusions (Report 4 or 5 main conclusions: one for each Dimension) (2 pages) Report the most significant learnings you have gained about the research topic based on the findings reported in the above section. Present these learnings in the form of brief conclusions. Try to integrate in conclusions, some of the issues discuss in the literature review if they are related. These conclusions should address positive and negative aspects.

VII. Action Plan and Recommendations (2 pages) Develop an Action Plan in the form of recommendations for improving communication related to the research topic based on your conclusions. These recommendations should specify concrete actions. 

The two main sources of information in order to complete this assignment are:

A. Library research to complete the literature review.
B. Field research. Field research means that you must gather information using a questionnaire as suggested above. It is the responsibility of the group to develop a QUESTIONNAIRE BEFORE YOU CONDUCT THE RESEARCH (Instructions will be given in class).

    Every team member will be responsible for collecting 5 questionnaires using the SAME QUESTIONNAIRE
   
The REFERENCES should go in page 10 (Books, Journals)

    . The WRITTEN REPORT should be 9 pages, typed, 1.5 spaced
    . Prepare a Presentation Outline for classmates (2 pages)
    . Please hand in TWO COPIES of written report

This group project will require a formal presentation (Power Point Presentation) in class, of the final report. Each group will have 30 minutes for this presentation. Each member of the group will have 5-6 minutes to present a section of the final project report. At least 15 minutes must be reserved for group discussion with class members.

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