Type of Credit: Required
Credit(s)
Number of Students
This required course for IMICS graduate students provides an overview of research methods commonly utilized in communication studies, especially new media. It will cover both conceptual and practical research skills required for conducting qualitative and quantitative research. Specifically, the class will first be exposed to theoretical explanations of selected research approaches, followed by hand-on data analysis projects, and finally develop scholarly research proposals.This required course for IMICS graduate students provides an overview of research methods commonly utilized in communication studies, especially new media. It will cover both conceptual and practical research skills required for conducting qualitative and quantitative research. Specifically, the class will first be exposed to theoretical explanations of selected research approaches, followed by hand-on data analysis projects, and finally develop scholarly research proposals.
能力項目說明
OBJECTIVES
The learning objectives of this course are to equip students with fundamental knowledge and skills to write academic research proposals and articles. Topics taught in this course include formulation of research problems and research questions, selection of appropriate methods for data gathering (questionnaires, interviewing and focus groups, observation, content analysis, etc.) and qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
| 教學週次Course Week | 彈性補充教學週次Flexible Supplemental Instruction Week | 彈性補充教學類別Flexible Supplemental Instruction Type |
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SCHEDULE |
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Week |
Date |
Topic & Readings |
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1 |
9/12 |
Introduction & Literature review |
Course overview |
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Reading: |
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1. |
Hoyle, Harris, & Judd Ch19 Reviewing |
Students add course Facebook |
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research reports & literature (p.483-493) |
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2 |
9/19 |
Research design, process & proposal writing |
Library resources at NCCU |
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Reading: |
4:00-5:00 Library introduction |
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(Main Library, 1F 資源檢索教室, |
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1. |
Babbie Ch1&4Introduction & Research |
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2. |
Hoyle, Harris, & Judd Ch 3& 20 |
Bring Student ID to log in the |
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system) |
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3 |
9/26 |
Qualitative researchＩ(Introduction & |
Group division |
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interview/e-interview) |
Class discussions |
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Reading:
1. Berg Ch1 & 4
2. Sappleton Ch 19 & 15
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4 |
10/3 |
Qualitative research II (Focus Group & Observation) |
Class discussions |
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1. Berg, Ch 5 & 6 (part) 2. Hoyle, Harris, & Judd Ch15 (p.361-381) |
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5 |
10/10 |
National Day (No class) |
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6 |
10/17 |
Qualitative data analysis |
Qualitative research presentation |
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Reading: |
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1. Babbie Ch13 |
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2. Sappleton Ch 10 |
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7 |
10/24 |
Conceptualization, operationalization & measurement |
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Reading: |
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Babbie Ch 5& 6 |
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8 |
10/31 |
Survey research, sampling &questionnaire design |
Qualitative data analysis due |
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Reading: |
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BabbieCh 7& 9 |
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9 |
11/7 |
Web survey |
11/5 5pm Proposal topic/possible |
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Reading |
theories/RQs (Facebook) |
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Sappleton Ch 3 & 9 |
Last hour: Topic discussion |
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10 |
11/14 |
Quantitative data analysis |
Feedback to qualitative data |
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Reading: |
analysis |
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Babbie Ch14 |
Quantitative research presentation |
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11 |
11/21 |
Content analysis |
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Reading: |
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BabbieCh11 |
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12 |
11/28 |
SPSS Workshop (Dr. Jeffry Oktavianus, Hong Kong Polytech University) |
Computer Lab (Da Yun 316) |
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Reading Babbie Ch16 |
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13 |
12/5 |
Research proposal topic oral presentation |
Proposal presentation & feedback (Video presentation) |
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14 |
12/12 |
Experiment & Lab Ethics of social research (IRB) |
Quantitative data analysis due |
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Reading |
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Babbie Ch 17,18 |
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15 |
12/19 |
Big data research |
Last hour: Feedback for quantitative data analysis |
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Reading (to be decided) |
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16 |
12/26 |
Proposal discussion (Individual teams) |
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17 |
1/2 |
Final research proposal presentations& discussants |
1/1 (Mon) 5pm upload |
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Each group: 15 min ppt presentation + 15 mins Q&A |
PPT & draft proposal |
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1/9 |
1/9 |
Revision & submission of final written proposal |
1/9 5pm due (Upload to Moddle |
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& turn in written paper to Dr. Lin’s office at Journalism Bldg |
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ASSESSMENT
1. Attendance (5%)
Class participation and attendance are important. Only legitimate absence with supporting evidence (e.g., medical certificate) can be excused. Each student who exceeds three times of absence will lose all attendance points.
2. In-Class Discussions & Participation (10%)
This class involves in-class group discussions and share perspectives in class or on class Facebook. Students are expected to offer critical and constructive comments on readings, assignments or others work. In response to the instructor’s discussion questions related to weekly topics, students have to post their class discussion answers to course Facebook in order to share with classmates and give feedback to other groups’ posts.
3. Moderating method paper (10%) (New media; later than year 2020)
Two students together select a good journal paper that demonstrates specific qualitative or quantitative method(s). Each student is required to propose a pertinent question from the selected reading for class discussion. Both selected articles and questions must get approval from the instructor one week before the presentations and post them to Moodle. During the moderation week, each team will have 10 minute ppt presentation to elaborate highlights especially methods and 5 minutes for Q&A discussions. Moderators must upload a ppt file (including answers to Qs) to NCCU course website one week after the presentation.
4. Individual research practices (40%: 20%x2)
(1)Qualitative data analysis (20%): 1) Learn to develop interview questions based on concepts; practice interviews, and 2) write preliminary data analysis (>500 words)
(2)Quantitative data analysis: 1) Learn survey research design; 2) run statistics & write the data analysis result
5. Research proposal (35%-- 10% midterm ppt presentation & discussant; 25% final proposal written paper)
2-3 student team up to write a research proposal which contains introduction, research aims, succinct literature review (relevant studies, theoretic concepts or analytical framework), and a method session. The rigor of research design is essential for the quality evaluation. The length of the article is expected to be 4,000-6,000 words (excluding references, tables, figures, appendix, etc.) with APA-style references. Each group gives a 15-min ppt presentation and 15 min Q&A. The ppt slides and written proposals must be uploaded to Moddle. Additionally, each paper will also be discussed by two discussants similar to international conference arrangement. The discussants, in turn, are expected to provide constructive feedback to the proposals.
TEXTBOOK (Assigned readings may be adjusted.)
Moodle & Facebook