CMNS 801
Design and Methodology in Communication Research
CMNS 801
This course focuses on the interplay of theory, research questions, and methods in research design. It will introduce students to a common body of key concepts and issues related to areas of research design and methodology.
We will explore the intellectual history of diverse methodological approaches, some central problems in the epistemological foundations, and contemporary debates about specific empirical methods in communication research.
The course is intended to introduce debates about methods and to promote reflection on ways of assessing their appropriateness, limitations, assumptions and practical applications in research.
The course aims to encourage students to explore some of the skills and techniques typically used in the research process, including: problem formulation, study design, data collection, and analysis.
We will pay special attention to emerging methods in digital communication research, including social media. This course will focus on the application of methods in a hands-on manner.
Students will learn to use research software such as NVivo, Zotero, and Tableau to develop skills in data analysis and visualization for various methods.