COMM
155-01: QUANTITATIVE COMMUNICATION INQUIRY
SPRING 2008
MW: 1:30-2:45 pm; HGH 223; Code: 24767
Professor:
Federico Varona
Office: Hugh Gillis Hall 203;
Office Phone:
924-5392
Written Messages: at my mailbox Hugh Gillis
Hall 108
EMAIL:fvarona@sjsu.edu
/ Homepage:http://www2.sjsu.edu/faculty/fvarona
Office Hours:
M:9:30-10:30 am;
11:45-12:45 & 5:00-6:00 pm
W:9:30-10:30 am; 11:45-12:45
pm; & by appointment.
TEXTBOOK: Baxter, L. A., & Babbie, E. (2004). The basics of communication research. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
COURSE
DESCRIPTION:
Quantitative social scientific approaches to communication
facilitate students understanding of the philosophical foundations of
quantitative methods and skills in hypothesis testing, research design, data
collection, analysis, and interpretation. Methods to be covered include
experimental design, survey research and content analysis. Pre/Corequisite: COMM
101.
COURSE GOALS:
This course is designed with two broad goals in mind. The first is to help
students understand the social scientific basis of human communication
research, focusing specifically on quantitative forms of inquiry. To
accomplish this, we will examine the procedures and assumptions underlying
some of the more commonly used communication research methods. The second
goal is to assist students in acquiring the skills, competencies, and
abilities to actually engage in quantitative communication research. This
goal is best achieved by providing you with an opportunity to actually
conduct an original communication research study. As a result of completing
this course, you should have the tools necessary to understand, critique,
and practice quantitative communication theory and research.
STUDENT
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
In this course, students will be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the procedures involved in the more commonly used social scientific research methods used to study communication.
Identify the epistemological and ontological assumptions underlying the various theories and methods associated with research in communication.
Conduct and present research; collect data, organize results, issues, claims, and evidence in a logical manner.
Understand, conduct, and critique communication research in a diverse society.
Demonstrate understanding of the ethical responsibilities in conducting communication research.
Demonstrate basic skills in oral communication, written communication, and critical thinking.
Demonstrate basic skills in new communication technologies and information literacy.
Demonstrate basic skills in cultural literacy.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES
1. REGULAR ATTENDANCE is important because: a) students
participation in the discussion of the issues provides the multicultural perspective that
is expected from a course of this nature; b) participation in-class exercises helps
students to develop the necessary skills for more effective communication in small
Teams
and teamwork projects in the organizational context; and c) some information is provided
in class which is not in the text. NO ABSENCES WILL BE EXCUSED ON TEST DAYS. Absences on
these days will be examined on a case-by-case basis.
2. EXAMINATIONS: There will be one midterm examination and a
final exam. Format for the tests will be discussed later, but both exams will include
multiple choice, and short answer questions. Tests will assess not only your basic
understanding of communication concepts and theories, but also your ability to integrate
and apply those concepts and theories.
3. ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES: All assignments and exams must be
completed on the date assigned. If you turn in a paper late you will penalized for that
assignment, unless an alternate due date has PREVIOUSLY been approved.
4. OFFICE HOURS: Please feel free to come into my office to
discuss assignments and other class related issues. If my office hours are not convenient,
we can arrange another time to meet. So many problems can be solved or avoided entirely by
a little communication! Remember to call and leave a message at 924-5392 or email me at: fvarona@sjsu.edu if you need to contact me during the day or at night.
5. ANY STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY requiring an accommodation
should make this need known to the instructor. Every effort will be made to accommodate
your needs.
6. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY. It is the role and obligation of each student to Know the rules that
preserve academic integrity and abide by them at all times. This includes
learning and following the particular rules associated with specific classes,
exams and/or course assignments. Ignorance of these rules is not a defense to
the charge of violating the Academic Integrity Policy. Faculty members are
required to report all infractions to the Office of Judicial Affairs. The policy
on academic integrity can be found at:
http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/S07-2.pdf
ASSIGNMENTS AND POINTS:
Assignments: Points: 100 1. Sharing your Comm. Inquiry Experience (Presentation) 10 points 2. Quantitative Communication Inquiry Diagnosis (Paper) 15 points 3. How to Read Quantitative Communication Articles (Paper) 15 points 4. Conducting Quantitative Communication Inquiry (Group Project) 20 points 5. Mid-Term Exam (Download Study Guide) 20 points 6. Final Exam (Download Study Guide) 20 points
GRADING SCALE:
A= 90-100
A+=97-100
A=94-96
A-=90-93
B= 80- 89
B+=87-89
B=84-86
B-=80-83
C= 70- 79
C+=77-79
C=74-76
C-=70-73
D= 60- 69
D+=67-69
D=64-66
D-=60-63
F= 00- 59
CONTENT AND SCHEDULE:
WEEK - DATE - (M) - TOPIC - TEXT ASSIGNMENTS
Jan. 23 (W):
- Introduction to Course:
Instructional Policies, Syllabus, and Assignments
- Ice Breaker: Getting to Know Each Other
- Assignment: Your Goals for the Class
Jan. 28 (M):
-Chapter 1: Human Inquiry and Scientific Inquiry about
Communication
-ASSIGN
ORAL PRESENTATION: SHARING
YOUR COMM INQUIRY EXPERIENCE
Jan. 30 (W):
-ASSIGN
PAPER: COMMUNICATION
INQUIRY DIAGNOSIS
-Form teams for the semester and share your Goals for the Class
Feb. 4 (M):
-Chapter
2: Basic Building Blocks in Conducting Comm. Research
-Teamwork Activity (Goups)
Feb. 6 (W):
-Oral Presentations (3)
-Teamwork Activity (Groups)
Feb. 11 (M):
-Chapter 3:
Paradigms of Knowing in Communication Research
-Teamwork Activity (Groups)
Feb. 13 (W):
-Oral Presentations (3)
-Teamwork Activity (Groups)
Feb. 18 (M):
-Chapter 4: Logic Systems and Theory in
Communication Research
-Teamwork Activity (Groups)
Feb. 20 (W):
-Oral
Presentations (3)
-Teamwork Activity (Groups)
Feb. 25 (M):
-Chapter 5: The Ethics of Communication Research
-PAPER DUE:
COMMUNICATION INQUIRY DIAGNOSIS
-Teamwork Activity (Groups)
Feb. 27 (W):
-Oral
Presentations (3)
-ASSIGN
PAPER: HOW TO READ QUANTITATIVE COMMUNICATION ARTICLES
Mar. 3 (M):
-Chapter
6: Conceptualization and Operationalization
-Teamwork Activity (Groups)
Mar. 5 (W)
-Oral
Presentations (3)
-Review for Mid-Term Exam
Mar. 10 (M):
-MID-TERM EXAM
Mar. 12 (W):
-Chapter 7: The Logic of Sampling
-Oral Presentations
(1)
-Teamwork Activity (Groups)
Mar. 17 (M):
-Chapter 8: Survey Research
-Teamwork Activity (Groups)
Mar. 19 (W):
- Oral Presentations
(3)
-ASSIGN TEAM PROJECT:
CONDUCTING QUANTITATIVE COMM. RESEARCH
-Teamwork: Team Research Project
Apr. 16 (W):
-Oral
Presentations (3)
-Teamwork: Team Research Project
Apr. 23 (W):
-Oral Presentations (3)
-REVIEW: FINAL EXAM
-REVIEW: TEAM RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATION
Apr. 30 (W): -Team Research Project Presentations
May. 5 (M): -Team Research Project Presentations
May. 7 (M): -Team Research Project Presentations
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday May 21, 12:15-2:30 pm
* IMPORTANT NOTE: You are supposed to read in advance the Textbook Chapter that is indicated for the given dates. The reading of these assignments is very important to participate in class discussion. Be prepared to answer any question about them.