COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: Junior standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Explain the logic of scientific inquiry in communication research, including the role of theory and the key steps in designing and conducting a study. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Differentiate among major research methods used in journalism and communication, including survey, experiment, and content analysis, and distinguish quantitative from qualitative approaches. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Analyze and interpret data from communication studies to draw valid conclusions about media, audiences, and messages. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Critically evaluate the design, evidence, and claims presented in communication and media research, including studies published in both scholarly and professional contexts. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Apply ethical principles and disciplinary standards (e.g., informed consent, representation, data integrity) to communication research projects. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Explain how and why communication research can contribute to equity, inclusion, and social justice in media and society. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Design a small-scale communication research project that demonstrates theoretical grounding, methodological rigor, and original scholarly contribution. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Explain the logic of scientific inquiry in communication research, including the role of theory and the key steps in designing and conducting a study. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Differentiate among major research methods used in journalism and communication, including survey, experiment, and content analysis, and distinguish quantitative from qualitative approaches. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Analyze and interpret data from communication studies to draw valid conclusions about media, audiences, and messages. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Critically evaluate the design, evidence, and claims presented in communication and media research, including studies published in both scholarly and professional contexts. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Apply ethical principles and disciplinary standards (e.g., informed consent, representation, data integrity) to communication research projects. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Explain how and why communication research can contribute to equity, inclusion, and social justice in media and society. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Design a small-scale communication research project that demonstrates theoretical grounding, methodological rigor, and original scholarly contribution. Audience: Graduate