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Program Type: 
Thesis
Non Thesis
Course Code: 
COMM 560
Semester: 
Autumn
Course Type: 
Core
P: 
3
Lab: 
0
Credits: 
3
ECTS: 
8
Course Language: 
English
Courses given by: 
Course Objectives: 

The course aims to show students how to produce manageable research questions and hypotheses, and how to formulate an appropriate research method and how to design a scientific study by integrating various research approaches from different disciplines in social sciences and by holding ethical standards.

Course Content: 

The course covers quantitative and qualitative methods used in communication and media research. It demonstrates how quantitative research methods, including surveys and content analysis, on the one hand and qualitative research methods, such as field observations, focus groups, and in-depth interviews, on the other, can be used to answer questions regarding media production and reception processes, media effects on individuals and on society and textual analysis. It also covers the relation between scientific ethics and the research process with a brief introduction to general ethical theories and principles.

Teaching Methods: 
1: Lecture, 2: Question-Answer, 3: Discussion
Assessment Methods: 
A: Presentation, B: Homework

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes Program Outcomes Teaching Methods Assessment Methods
  1. The students learns to produce manageable research questions and hypothesis
1,2,4,6,9 1,2,3 A,B
  1. The student knows how to use basic quantitative and qualitative research methods appropriately.
1,2,4,6,7  

1,2,3

 

A,B
  1. The students designs a scientific study by integrating various research approaches from different disciplines in social sciences.
1,2,4,5,6,7,9,10  

1,2,3

 

A,B
  1. The student presents research findings in an appropriate style and format.
3,5,6,8 1,2,3 A
  1. The research holds ethical standards in doing research.
5,7 1,2,3 A,B

Course Flow

COURSE CONTENT
Week Topics Study Materials
1 Basics of Scientific Research: Research, science, natural vs. social sciences, mass media research, characteristics of scientific research Chapter 1
2 Basics of Scientific Research: Main steps of research, reliability, validity Chapter 1
3 Elements of Research: Independent-Dependent Variables, Concepts, Constructs, Measurement Levels and Scales Chapter 2
4 Research Ethics Chapter 3
5 Sampling Chapter 4
6 Qualitative Research Methods: field observation and case study Chapter 5
7 Qualitative Research Methods: focus group and in-depth interviewing Chapter 5
8 Content Analysis Chapter 6
9    

Survey Research: Questionnaire Design

Chapter 7
10 Survey Research: Data Collection Chapter 7
11 Data Analysis and Presenting Results: Descriptive Statistics Chapter 12
12 Data Analysis and Presenting Results: Analytical Statistics Chapter 12
13 Basics of SPSS Chapter 12
14 Students’ Presentations  
15 Final  

Recommended Sources

RECOMMENDED SOURCES
Textbook Wimmer, R. D. & Dominick, J. R. (2011). Mass Media Research: An Introduction. Boston, USA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

 

 

Additional Resources Messgenger Davies, M. & Mosdell, N. (2006). Practical Research Methods for Media and Cultural Studies: Making People Count. Edinburgh, UK: Edinburgh University Press.

 

Assessment

ASSESSMENT
IN-TERM STUDIES NUMBER PERCENTAGE
Attendance and Participation   10
Presentation 1 30
FINALS 1 60
Total   100

Course’s Contribution to Program

COURSE'S CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM  
No Program Learning Outcomes Contribution  
1 2 3 4 5  
1 To gain the abilities of working with an interdisciplinary approach and adapting theories, methods and practices in different disciplines to the relevant concentration area.         x  
2 To gain the abilities of data collection, literature review and analysis in media and communication management         x  
3 To gain the ability of communicating within the national and international scientific environments       x    
4 To gain the knowledge and skills required for scientific research processes         x  
5 To gain the competence for making critical evaluations and syntheses     x      
6 To have conducted research at a sufficient level about one’s thesis topic         x  
7 To possess the behavioral and ethical sensitivity required for the academic life         x  
8 To possess the necessary computer skills for writing scientific papers and theses       x    
9 To gain the abilities of being receptive to innovations and novel ideas anddeveloping new ideas   x        
10 To comprehend fully and appropriately the meaning and significance of media and communications management in theoretical and practical terms   x        

ECTS

ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Activities Quantity Duration
(Hour)
Total
Workload
(Hour)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 16 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 16 5 90
Presentation 1 15 15
Assignment 1 50 50
       
Total Work Load     203
Total Work Load / 25 (h)     8,12
ECTS Credit of the Course     8