COMM 391

COURSE CODE: COMM 391

COURSE TITLE: COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Qualitative and quantitative approaches in communication research

PREREQUISITE: None

COURSE GOAL: The course aims to provide the students an opportunity to apply an appropriate communication research methodology based on an understanding of the ontological and epistemological assumptions of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

  • Explain the ontological and the epistemological assumptions of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies;
  • Discuss the issues in the use of quantitative and qualitative methodologies; and
  • Apply quantitative and qualitative communication research methods in actual research.

COURSE OUTLINE:

  • Unit I. Ontological and Epistemological Assumptions of Communication Research Paradigms
    • Module 1. Review of quantitative communication research
    • Module 2. Review of qualitative communication research
  • Unit II. Methods of Quantitative Communication Research
    • Module 1: Research Designs
    • Module 2: Data Gathering and Instrumentation
    • Module 3: Data Analysis and Interpretation
  • Unit III. Methods of Qualitative Communication Research
    • Module 1: Traditions of Qualitative Research
    • Module 2: Privileging Voices
    • Module 3: Constructing the Research Text