Planning Document for CA517: Experimental Methods of Communication Research LARGE PRINT

Tentative Syllabus located here: click here.

COURSE INFORMATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE DURING COURSE

Table of Contents

WEEKLY SCHEDULE & ASSIGNMENT CHECKLIST: 1 ____ 2 ____ 3 ____ 4 ____ 5 ____ 6 ____ 7 ____ 8

WEEKLY LECTURES 1____ 2 ____ 3 ____4 ____ 5 ____ 6 ____ 7 ____ 8 ____

WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITIES 1____ 2 ____ 3 ____4 ____ 5 ____ 6 ____ 7 ____ 8 ____

GENERAL INFORMATION: Core Assessment ____ Discussion Board Rubric ____ Textbook _____

APA Style Information - Course Expectations & Guidelines for Students - Grading - Late Policy - Library Database Tutorial  - Practitioner - Submitting Assignments

Please prepare for class IN ADVANCE

IN ADVANCE OF CLASS: 

  1. Please read the textbook and lecture content. 

  2. Prepare a major weekly assignment related to your core assessment project (dropbox or in-person)

  3. AND participate in the discussion--learning activities--based on the assigned readings.

To search this pag, use Ctrl F or your computer's search function.

This page is my gift to you!

Course Developer:
Dr. Joan E. Aitken, Professor, Communication Arts
229 Copley, 8700 NW River Park Drive, Parkville, MO 64152. Office or message: (816) 584-6785
Office hours by appointment. joan.aitken@park.edu

 

Onground students will be able to access this material in eCompanion. Please do not print.

Online students have this information in eCollege, but this page is available for easy access to all information in one place in case you want to work ahead. To search, use Ctrl F or your computer's search function.

Handouts & Articles Your professor may modify any of these guidelines.  Photos are copyrighted by Microsoft Office, AllPosters.Com or source indicated.  Visuals for use only in course presentation materials for enrolled students.

 

Welcome to "Experimental Research," the course about reading and conducting scientific research experiments in communication studies! 

Tentative Syllabus located here: http://www.park.edu/syllabus/list.aspx

Overview

Reading Due

Additional Exploration

Assignments Due--Major Assignments Highlighted in Yellow

Online students, please see the "Assignments" link at the lower left of the eCollege screen.

Week 1. Examine the Map!

 

Intro & Library Research

Skim Sumser & APA

 

 

  • Ker linger & Lee, Appendix A.

  • Heffner chapter 10.

  • Explore the course and participate in discussion.

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Photo credit

  1. Read Q/A Start in lower left of screen.

  2. Begin assignments due week two.

  3. Participate in learning activities (e.g., discussion board, chat).

  4. Decide on a research topic for a proposal for a scientific experiment you can use for your thesis or project topic. Find 20 quantitative, communication, peer- reviewed articles related to the topic, which you may want to analyze for the course. Use Communication and Mass Media Complete (EBSCO), here.

Week 2. Follow the Path!

 

Scientific Experiment

Sumser ch 1-3, 5, 7.

Nardi ch 1, 2, 3.

  • Ker linger & Lee, chapters 1-6, 22, 25.

  • Heffner Chapter 1-5.

IMPORTANT:  Note eCollege "Assignments" link at lower left of the screen.  There are two types of assignments due each week:

1.  DUE IN eCollege dropbox or in person  for Core Project (Research Proposal): Research question or  hypothesis  for an experiment, operational definitions of variables, and reference list of 20 quantitative, peer-reviewed research articles in communication studies. Submit with proposal outline during week 2. Use Communication and Mass Media Complete (EBSCO), click here.

2.  Participate in learning activities (e.g., discussion board, chat) based on the lecture and reading materials.  This course is about science, not opinion.

Week 3. Get Your Feet Wet!

 

Sampling & Probability.

Writing APA Style

Read APA ch 1, with emphasis on pp. 10-20.

Nardi ch 5 & 6.

  • Ker linger & Lee, chapters 4, 7, 8, 9, 26.

  • Heffner Chapter 6, 7, 8.

1. DUE IN eCollege dropbox or in person for Core Project (Research Proposal): Proposed hypothetical, scientific, communication experiment outline of content with 20 references from Communication and Mass Media Complete (EBSCO)

2. Participate in learning activities (e.g., discussion board, chat) based on the lecture and reading materials.  This course is about science, not opinion.

 

Week 4. Watch Your Step!

Review of Literature for the Research Proposal

Read APA ch 2-5

Review Sumser, chapter 5.

  • Ker linger & Lee, chapters 17, 18.

  • Heffner chapter 9 & 10.

1. DUE IN eCollege dropbox or in person  for Core Project (Research Proposal): Evolving rough draft of hypothetical communication research experiment proposal.

2. Participate in learning activities (e.g., discussion board, chat) based on the lecture and reading materials.  This course is about science, not opinion.

 Week 5. Just Hard Work!

Design

Sumser, ch 6 & 8.

Nardi ch 4, 7, & 8.

  • Ker linger & Lee, chapters 11, 12.

  • Heffner chapters 6-10.

1. DUE IN eCollege dropbox or in person  for Core Assessment (Research Proposal): Hypothetical experiment design section and measure.

2. Participate in learning activities (e.g., discussion board, chat) based on the lecture and reading materials.  This course is about science, not opinion.

Week 6. Stretch Yourself!

Research Proposal

Review APA pp.10-20 and ch 5.

 

  • Ker linger & Lee, chapters 19, 20, 21.

1. DUE IN eCollege dropbox or in person  for Core Project (Research Proposal): ABSOLUTE FINAL DEADLINE: CORE ASSESSMENT DUE IN CLASS (onground) OR SUNDAY BEFORE MIDNIGHT (online).  The review of literature needs to cite and reference 20 scholarly journal articles from Communication and Mass Media Complete (EBSCO). 

2. Participate in learning activities (e.g., discussion board, chat) based on the lecture and reading materials.  This course is about science, not opinion.

You may want to work through a variety of self-checks to prepare for your final exam. Note the study guide and glossary.

Week 7. The Summit!

Measurement, Observation, and Data Collection

 

Nardi ch 9 & 10.

  • Ker linger & Lee, chapters 29, 30, 31.

Complete Protecting Human Research Participants (PHRP) tutorial and submit certification in the dropbox or in person.

Complete the final exam this week or next.

Makeup activities (e.g., discussion board, chat), as appropriate.

Week 8. Heading Home

Please submit all revisions by Wed.  Final exam due Friday.

Proposal Oral Defense

 

 

 

  1. FRIDAY IS FINAL SUBMISSION DATE FOR ALL WORK DUE IN THE COURSE 

  2. DUE IN CLASS OR DROPBOX: Revision due in class or Friday (online) (proposal will be accepted if previously submitted by the week six due date).

  3. PROPOSAL ORAL DEFENSE: PRESENT your oral defense to the rest of the class. Presentation due in class or Wednesday online.

 

GRADING

See your syllabus https://park.edu/syllabus/list.aspx or talk to your professor regarding grading in this course.  Dr. Aitken is the course developer, but your professor may make changes and has the latitude to make major revisions to the course, including grading policies and assignments.

Please do not expect grading information or eCollege content to be updated until the day class starts. The eCollege is copied weeks in advance, but your professor may not have access until day one of the course.

Your professor may provide access to the Gradebook inside eCollege.  The link is a tab in the upper part of the screen inside the eCollege course.  This gradebook can provide information about assignment values. Important points to remember.

  • Click on blue links to access faculty feedback.  

  • In the faculty feedback, click on the plus icon to see everything the professor wrote.

  • Confidentiality requirements discourage email discussion of grades, so if you have questions, please ask your professor inside the eCollege dropbox, via phone, or in person. 

A typical grading scale uses percentages:
90-100 = A
80-89.99 = B
70-79.99 = C
60-69.99 = D
Below 60 = F

Another method is to assign points.  For example, 1 point may equal 1 percent, so that 100 points equals 100%.

Dr. Aitken's grading information may be useful to you.  http://onlineacademics.org/Guidelines.html#GRADING_&_ASSIGNMENTS0

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENT WEIGHT (Each instructor will be different.)  See the gradebook or syllabus for your professor's grading weights.

 

Syllabus, http://www.park.edu/syllabus/list.aspx

 

EXAMPLE ASSIGNMENT WEIGHT 

 

Online students need to read the "Assignments" link at the lower left of the eCollege course screen.
 

WEEKLY PRIORITY:  1. Core Assessment is the research experiment proposal (prospectus) appropriate for a Master's Degree thesis or project in Communication and Leadership. = 45% (e.g., 45 points). 

  • Weekly progress 25%  Weekly progress must be submitted on time in the dropbox (online) or in class.

  • Week 6 full proposal 20%

2. Minor Assignments = 35%

  • Learning Activities--Discussion Board 30

  • Human Subjects Certification 5

3. Final Exam = 20%

In an online section, see the grey box in the exam for instructions, number of times you can access, and time limit BEFORE YOU OPEN THE EXAM.
 

If you have a different professor for this course, however, make sure you are clear about your individual professor's expectations.  If you have questions, please ask.  

Picture credit

 

Week 1 (Unit 1) Lecture Introduction to Course

THE ADVENTURE:  HIKING UP THE MOUNTAIN

 

Many students learn well by analogies, so the course is designed to compare research to the exploration you might do if you climb a mountain. We do not expect all our students to start from the same place. We'll take a somewhat unique approach because students come from various backgrounds and a wide array of preparation--or lack of preparation--for this course. We will focus on mastery of content as applied to the individual student objectives for the Master's thesis or project.

 

Some of you may feel tired at just the thought of learning this content and not feel ready to explore.

Some of you have arrived at base camp, but are still looking for a cup of coffee to help you get started.

Some of you are in shape from your prior coursework and experiences, so you are well prepared and ready to set out on the trek.

Although you may not have climbed many real mountains, you have climbed up and down many figuratively.

 

This problem-solving journey can be life-altering as you prepare your Master's research proposal (prospectus or plan for your thesis or project) within a framework of experimental research in communication and leadership. Some of you may have a senior thesis idea you want to continue. Some of you may have a prospectus ready. Others may have no idea what they want to study. Your prospectus will be the core assessment of the course, and the close the prospectus is to a finished thesis or project, the closer you will be to your end goal.

 

Let's begin!

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Week 1 (Unit 1) Lecture

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Please read the lecture and textbook materials IN ADVANCE of class.  Remember, there are two types of assignments due each week:  1.  Core Assessment related (due in eCollege dropbox or by hardcopy in person).  Online students need to see "Assignments" link at lower left of eCollege.  2.  Discussion of learning activities based on the textbook and lecture readings.

I'm Dr. Joan Aitken, the course developer.

 

I always learned well by analogies, so we are going to compare the research process to the exploration you might do if you are climbing a mountain. We do not expect all our students to start from the exact same place or end at exactly the same place.

 

I've taught research to many graduate students over the years. I've found that students come from various backgrounds and a wide array of preparation--or lack of preparation--for this course. Some of you are well prepared and ready to set out on the trek. Others are still looking for a cup of coffee to help you get started. Some of you are well-nourished by your prior coursework and experiences. Others have not prepared for this journey at all.

 

I consider learning to be an adventure, and although I've only climbed one mountain--I found the experience to be interesting, fun, hard, exhilarating, and a life-altering experience. I hope the journey in this course will be a powerful experience as you prepare a research or project proposal within your framework of understanding about communication and leadership research. Remember, your proposal will be the core assessment of the course.

 

Some of the content of this course may be quite new to you. Some of you may want nothing to do with learning statistics, for example. This course will help you understand enough about research to be able to read communication journals. If you decide to conduct experimental research for your Master's thesis, you probably already have some background in experimental research or plan to take additional courses. You won't get lost! Your professor will stick with you as your guide through the process of reading experimental communication and leadership research. And when we come down off the mountain, you will have skills about reading and conducting scientific experiments!

 

What is an MA thesis or project?

The purpose of the thesis or project is to answer a question about communication.  The thesis is a full scientific research study on a communication topic.  The project is a shorter or more creative approach to studying a communication topic. 

 

Your first step is to find a fascinating topic in communication, because the thesis or project will take much time and work.  The earlier you find your topic, the more you can focus on that topic during each relevant course in your program. 

 

Below is what the Graduate School says about the thesis. Note the course numbers are not the same as the ones we use in the Communication and Leadership MA.
 

The writing of a thesis is a highly valued academic exercise and has been traditionally regarded as the culminating activity in a master’s degree program. Students may earn up to six hours of graduate credit for writing a thesis, by enrolling in 700 and 701 courses [CA797, CA798, CA799], sequentially.

Students should carefully plan their activities, in order to ensure that they develop a workable proposal, conduct the research, write the thesis, and get it approved by the Committee, in a timely manner. A copy of the completed thesis should be submitted to the major advisor no later than six weeks prior to the date of commencement. The Graduate School should receive a copy for final approval no later than three weeks prior to the day on which the degree is to be conferred.

Thesis Committee

Candidates should consult their major advisor in forming a Committee and clarifying the role of the Committee members in the research and writing process. The primary responsibility for directing the thesis resides with the major advisor. The Committee should consist of a minimum of three approved graduate faculty, including the major advisor in the discipline area. It is advisable to include additional faculty member(s) from outside the discipline, because faculty external to the discipline can bring fresh perspectives or provide valuable assistance in the conduct of research.

Enrollment in XX 700 (3 credit hours)

[You will design a proposal for a communication research experiment in this CA 517 course.  Whether or not you actually do an experiment for the thesis or project will be your decision to make later, but you will have the essence of a proposal you can use when you finish this course.]

The candidate must register for a 700-level course in order to begin the process of developing a thesis proposal. The registration allows the student to receive advice from a member of the faculty and to utilize University facilities in preparation for the thesis. While enrolled for this course, the student is expected to be actively working on developing a formal proposal related to an area of research interest, under the direction of a faculty member who will be the major advisor or the Committee Chair.

At minimum, the research proposal should identify the problem, clarify the thesis statement, select an appropriate research methodology (including the data gathering instruments and data analysis techniques) and provide an effective overview of the scholarly literature. The following general outline may be helpful in developing a proposal.

· Key concepts and definition of the project. Concisely and clearly state what the project intends to accomplish. What are the basic questions to be explored?

· Significance of the study. Why should the scientific community be interested in this study? What contribution will it make to the discipline, the profession and the society?

· Review of relevant literature. How does your research relate to the work of others? Where are the gaps in literature? What do you hope to add to the literature?

· Methodology. How do you plan to approach the subject? What is your methodology and what instruments or procedures will you use to gather the data/information that you would need to address the questions? What is the justification for the use of this methodology? Do you have the resources to conduct the study, such as access to people, data, archives, collections, time, etc.?

· Plan of work and timetable. Present a realistic timetable including specific dates by which you plan to complete specific facets of the research. It would help you and the Committee to decide if you can realistically complete the project.

· Bibliography. Present a working bibliography that includes scholarly books and articles. Naturally, you will revise and expand this bibliography as you continue with your project.

Proposal Defense and Submitting the proposal to the Graduate School

When the proposal is ready for defense, the student must work with the Chair in setting a date for the proposal defense. The defense must be conducted at least a semester prior to graduation and the proposal must be submitted to the Graduate School once it is approved by the Chair and all members of the Committee.

Submitting the Proposal to the Graduate School

The student must work with the Chair in submitting the proposal to the Committee members for their approval. Once approved by the Committee, the Chair will forward the proposal to the Graduate School office at least a semester prior to the semester in which the student is expected to graduate.

Human Subjects Protection and IRB review

In preparing the thesis proposal, students must be aware that any research which involves human subjects must be approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University in order to assure compliance with applicable federal regulations and University policies. The proposal must be reviewed and approved by the IRB according to the University procedure. Failure to gain the IRB approval will result in denial of the proposal. It is a violation of the procedures to contact human subjects prior to the IRB approval of the proposal. It is highly recommended that the IRB approval be received prior to the submission of the proposal. Additional information related to the IRB may be found at: http://captain.park.edu/irb/index.aspx .  [This process may take several weeks and must be completed BEFORE you collect any data.  We recommend you submit to the IRB mid-way during the first course of CA797.]

Enrollment in XX 701 (3 credit hours)

Following the approval of the thesis proposal, students may enroll in 701 and begin data gathering. [In reality, you need to submit your final thesis to your committee week one or two of this final term because of the time involved in the defense, revisions, submission to the graduate school, obtaining a copyright, printing, and binding.] Data may be collected using qualitative, quantitative, participatory, documentary, or

action research methodologies, as may be appropriate. The writing of the thesis may then begin, with the guidance of the Committee Chair. Students are encouraged to consult the Chair regularly, to ensure that they receive timely and useful feedback throughout the research and writing process.

Thesis Defense

An oral defense of the thesis must be satisfactorily completed and approved by the Committee, and the result of the defense must be submitted to the Graduate School, three weeks prior to graduation. Thesis defense is open to the University community.

Enrollment in XX 799 (1 credit hour)

When additional time is needed to complete the thesis work, enrollment in XX 799 is permitted, in consultation with the Chair.

For additional information on the thesis procedure, please consult the Director of your graduate program, or the Executive Director for the Graduate School.

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Here are some thesis or project ideas from other universities.

The Master’s Thesis will address an appropriately phrased research question of interest to the student. The student may seek to answer a question through one of the following.

 

1. A scientific experiment about a specific communication problem
2. A question about a communication context
3. Test of a specified hypothesis
4. A quantitative survey

 

The subject of study may come from two general sources:

1. The communication environment, with which the student has first-hand experience.

2. A traditional research investigation of a particular aspect of corporate or organizational communication or leadership.

 

Week one, we will prepare for the journey. We'll review APA writing style, including the implications for writing a research proposal. We'll talk about a few theories that may serve as a basis for organizational communication and decision-making research. We'll begin to look at communication science and how experimental research may fit into the development of communication theory. We'll try applying the scientific method in a simple household experiment. The first step in your journey is to figure out what you want to study in this course and perhaps during the rest of your Master's program. You'll need to find a topic you want to research and formulate a research question for a scientific experiment research study you can use for your MA thesis or project. You may find some ideas here about Organizational Communication Resource Page.

 

Week two, we will follow a prescribed path to begin the journey. This process will ensure that you know the basic language of research, such as paradigms, theory, ethics, problems and hypotheses, operational definitions, and variables. If you don't know what all that means, that's good, you're in the right course!

 

Week three, it will be time to get your feet wet. You will start structuring your research project by beginning to design a hypothetical experimental research proposal. This process will include conceptualization, measuring, and sampling.

Week four, you will want to watch your step. You will be far enough up the hill that the mountains ahead may look daunting and mis-steps may be treacherous. We'll explore qualitative data analysis, sampling, randomness, and experimental analysis, interpretation, and inference.

Week five, will be a tough climb as you finish your proposal an explore modes of observation, such as survey, qualitative field, unobtrusive, and evaluation research.

 

Week six, you will have to stretch yourself to figure out how to translate your idea for an experiment into a proposal. Students interested in pursuing experimental research may explore more in that region.

 

Week seven, you will reach the summit as we focus on research design. Some of you may be at the top of an Everest-type mountain. Others of you may only be part way up a Parkville, Missouri hill, but no doubt you'll be higher than you are now. You will have completed your thesis or project proposal and have time to relax and enjoy the view from the top.

 

Week eight, you will share your work as you scramble down or meander home.

Photo Credit

 

 

 

Week 1 (Unit 1) Lecture continued

 

A Review of Research in Communication Studies and Leadership

 

Communication Studies is an academic field of its own.  Communication Studies is different from psychology, sociology, management, and other fields of study.  Communication Studies has its own body of scholarship and theory.

 

Back to the Basics: Preparing for Communication and Leadership Research

This course attracts a range of students--people working on an additional degree in communication, people with other majors who are unfamiliar with communication studies, and people just starting the program. So, we will begin with a refresher or review about the field of communication. This information may help you think about a topic you want to explore in the course. The main assignment for the course will be the design of a scientific experiment in communication and leadership. Hopefully, this review will help you conduct the review of literature and contemplate the topic you will actually study in your graduate thesis of project. Let's brainstorm about our field!

 

Adapted from a National Communication Association presentation by Bill Balthrop, University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill, Jim Gaudino, Executive Director, NCA, Scott Poole, Texas A&M University, Ellen Wartella, University of Texas--Austin

 

Communication and Leadership Research

Alaska Fishing

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Modern Communication Research

World War II and Post-War Era

Concerns with attitude formation and change

Emergence of social and behavioral science approaches

 Late 20th Century

Concerns with mass communication, communication policy, and media

Concerns with new communication technologies, cultural approaches

 

Communication Research Areas

Communication Studies: Scientific and critical research on human communication, including interpersonal, organizational, public, and intercultural communication and communication in various social, cultural, and political contexts. Leadership studies can be a broad field that fits into this area.

Mass Communication and Media Studies: Research on media institutions, media texts, media effects, and how media are used to produce and transform culture.

Speech and Rhetorical Studies: Research focused on political and social rhetoric, audience analysis, argumentation, rhetorical criticism, and rhetorical theory.

Telecommunication Studies: Research on the development, use, regulation, and effects of telecommunication technologies, including radio, television, Internet, and telephony.

 

Communication research is carried out in academic programs with school and department titles such as:

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Communication scholars from discipline-based departments conduct major research projects with colleagues in such fields as:

Communication research employs a wide range of methodologies, including all types of quantitative and qualitative social scientific research methods as well as humanistic and critical/cultural approaches:

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Communication is a Research-Based Field, which works toward theory-building

Example Journals in Communication

Experience Alaska ©Subhankar Banerjee

Experience Alaska ©Subhankar Banerjee

 

Example Journals Related to Communication

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There Are Some Beautiful Theories and Research in Communication Studies, Which You Can Explore in Various Ways

  • Research

  • Read

  • Consider

  • Contemplate

  • Analyze

  • Critique

  • Digest

  • Reflect about

  • Apply

  • Discuss

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Example Skills for Communication and Leadership

Developing Competence through this Research Project:
Preparation for Corporate Contexts and Advanced Graduate Study.

  • Apply research theories to improve communication behavior.

  • Communicate effectively in various environments.

  • Compare and contrast evidence.

  • Evaluate ideas and make presentations.

  • Evaluate information and sources.

  • Gather information and data.

  • Pay attention to details.

  • Read theory-grounded research.

  • Work in teams and collaborative groups.

  • Work independently.

  • Work with deadlines.

  • Write about research with correctness and clarity.

Employment for Communication and Leadership Majors and Minors

A few examples: Advancement Officer, Bank Officer, Industrial & Labor Relations Specialist, Print Production Coordinator, Claims Adjuster/Examiner, Insurance Agent/Broker, Promotions Manager, Media Manager, Research Worker, Training & Development Specialist, Stockbroker, Service Representative, Travel Agent, Technical Writer, Broadcast Advertising Salesperson, Lighting Technician, Lobbyist

For more ideas, see the following sites:
1. UNC
2. CSC
3. NatCom

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St. Petersburg http://www.us-passport-service

Communication Doctorates

University of Kansas Programs, for example:

Communication Studies

Film

Journalism and Mass Communication

108 Doctoral Granting Institutions

 2,200 Doctorates granted 1995-1999 (AEJMC, US Government statistics, and 2001-2002 Survey of Doctoral Programs in Communication)

94% of Communication Ph.D.s enter research-related careers

Enrolling in the Graduate Project

CA700 - Graduate Project, Part I of the capstone course for students who work individually with a graduate advisor to research an approved organizational issue. (From catalog 2006-2007)

CA701 - Graduate Project, Part II of the capstone course for students who work individually with a graduate advisor to research an approved organizational issue. (From catalog 2006-2007)

You may want to examine Dr. Aitken's course pages:

 CA 700/701 Graduate Project, click here.
 CA 797 Thesis, click here.

 

 

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Communication and Leadership Studies Courses and Programs based on International Communication Association Information:

  • Committed to developing knowledgeable, ethical, caring, inclusive leaders for a diverse and changing world.

Communication Leadership Studies and Programs

  • Political and civic

  • Social justice

  • Non-profit leadership

  • Government leadership

  • Business leadership

International Communication Association (Organizational Communication)

  • Challenges of communicating and organizing in a global society.

  • Develop social practices to improve communication.

Contexts

  • Health care

  • Community cooperatives

  • Government and non-government agencies

  • Global corporations

  • Profit and not-for-profit organizations

  • Virtual and geographically co-located work.

Multi-level phenomena

  • Discourse and discursive practices

  • Communication of emotions

  • Leader-follower communication

  • Democratic communicative practices

  • Negotiation and bargaining

  • Group processes and decision making

  • Socialization

  • Power and influence

Organizational Research

  • Decision-making and problem-solving.

  • Organizational culture

  • Organizational language and symbolism

  • Communication and conflict

  • Leadership practices

  • Identity and identification

  • Adoption and appropriation of communication technologies

  • Emergence of organizational and inter-organizational networks

  • New organizational forms

Multiplicity of theoretical perspectives

  • Structuration (rules in groups)

  • Feminism

  • Interpretation

  • Performance

    •

  •  Cultural theory

  • Self-organizing systems (how organization arises)

Project is comparable to thesis:

  • Prospectus content with exhaustive review of literature.

  • Rigor

  • IRB approval

  • Thesis advances knowledge and project applies knowledge.

Project committee is comparable to thesis committee.

  • Advisor to work with you through the process.

  • Three committee members.

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Process

Proposal and every chapter--or milestones--of project or thesis go to the whole committee as you proceed.

Keep committee informed about project as you go along.

Committees don’t like surprises—and neither will you.

Possible Project Presentation Formats

  • Printed material (e.g., media kit).

  • Website.

  • Instructional materials.

  • Business communication training materials.

  • Creative video.

  • Creative film.

    •

  • Photography exhibit.

Example Presentations

  • Advertisement for local television station.

  • Communication materials for a local nonprofit organization.

  • Multimedia layout proposal for a nonprofit organization.

  • Brochure and broadcast materials for fundraiser.

    •

  • Political campaign strategy work.

Project Proposal

  • Straightforward Title.

  • Behavioral Objectives or Purpose.

  • Need of Project.

  • Survey of Literature.

  • Timeline.

  • Design and Proposed Product.

  • Presentation Method (Defense).

Week 1 (Unit 1) Lecture continued

 

Writing the Paper

 

Quoted or closely adapted from APA (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Parts of the Proposal Manuscript

1.06 Title Page Click here.
Author's name and institutional affiliation, running head. Use a strictly factual title.