Units
Media and Communication Research Methods
Unit code: KCZ105
Contact hours: 26 hours of lectures, 13 hours of tutorial/seminar, and up to 117 hours of self-study.
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
The research process (define problem, collect relevant information, analyse information, formulate conclusions/outcomes) underlies many decisions that confront media and communication professionals. This subject introduces foundational research skills and contextualises them with a number of media and communication problems. The unit will involve qualitative and quantitative research methods including content analysis, focus groups, ethnography, interviews and survey research which are studied in the context of media and communication problems and issues. Students will carry out research using some of these methods, analyse the results and present their conclusions and recommendations.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 6TP1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - 6 Week Teaching Period - 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
The research process (define problem, collect relevant information, analyse information, formulate conclusions/outcomes) underlies many decisions that confront media and communication professionals. This subject introduces foundational research skills and contextualises them with a number of media and communication problems. The unit will involve qualitative and quantitative research methods including content analysis, focus groups, ethnography, interviews and survey research which are studied in the context of media and communication problems and issues. You will carry out research using some of these methods, analyse the results and present your conclusions and recommendations.
Aims
This unit aims to:
- Provide students with an understanding of how research is undertaken and applied by media industries and media researchers.
- Provide you with foundational skills in conducting qualitative and quantitative research.
- Introduce you to relevant computer packages used in media and communications research.
Objectives
On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Identify a range of qualitative and quantitative media and communication research methods including content analysis, focus groups, ethnography, interviews and survey research.
2. Implement a range of research methods to complete research activities.
3. Use various computer packages to conduct qualitative and quantitative research.
Content
This unit addresses content such as:
- Research design
- Research ethics
- Content analysis
- Quantitative research
- Qualitative research
- Presenting research findings
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit will be delivered in intensive mode. There will be 22 hours of lectures and other in-class activities conducted over one week by a QUT staff member. There will be an additional 11 hours of tutorials and workshops conducted by a locally-based tutor, over a period of two weeks.
Assessment
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.Faculty Assessment Information
To access the Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information see the Blackboard site for this unit.
Assessment name:
In Class Exam
Description:
(Formative and summative)
This assessment item contains two parts. Individually, you will write a critical analysis of a survey, based on your experience of completing it. In your critical analysis, you will focus on the structure of the survey, the wording of the questions and the measurement scales used in order to identify weaknesses, how
these might impact upon results, and how these weaknesses could be overcome (750 words).
Relates to objectives:
1, 2
Weight:
15%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
TBA
Assessment name:
Group Project
Description:
(Formative and summative)
In groups of three, you will conduct a basic content analysis of a provided set of texts and write a brief report outlining the main findings. You should discuss intercoder reliability in your report (1000 words).
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3
Weight:
25%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
TBA
Assessment name:
Research Project
Description:
In this final assessment item, you will write a research proposal for the investigation of a provided topic. The topic is to be investigated either through individual or focus group interviews, participant observation, or a combination of these methods. The aim of the assignment is to allow you to demonstrate your understanding of interview and participant observation methodology and to stimulate your creativity by allowing you to design a research project on a topic that is of contemporary relevance (2000 words).
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
TBA
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Due to the intensive nature of delivery, resource materials will be developed progressively.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 20-Nov-2012
