COMS
100C - Syllabus
Introduction to Scientific Methods in Communication
Studies
Fall 1998
California State University, Sacramento
Catalog Description: This class is an analysis of the quantitative methods of research commonly applied during communication research. The course will introduce concepts fundamental to the scientific study of communication. Concepts include conceptual and operational definitions, sampling, measurement, experimental design and data analysis.
Course Objectives
- Improve critical thinking skills.
- Become proficient at designing simple studies.
- Provide an understanding of the research problems.
The following assignments are due on the dates indicated. The class schedule is within the WebCT course content pages.
Quizzes
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Assignments
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Theory paper |
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Threats to internal validity paper |
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Calculating basic statistics |
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Group project |
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Exams
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Grading Scale
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A 94% |
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F 59.9% and below |
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Reading Materials
Required: Frey, Lawrence R., Carl H. Botan, Paul G. Friedman, and Gary L. Kreps. Investigating Communication: An Introduction to Research Methods. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1991.Optional: Williams, Frederick, Reasoning With Statistics: How to Read Quantitative Research. 4th ed. Harcourt Brace, 1992.
Other Materials
Each student needs an e-mail and Internet account and access to a machine with a Web browser. Basic e-mail, netiquette, and file management skills are helpful.
Course Units
September 2: Welcome
September 9: Types of variables
September 16: The research process
September 23: Causation
September 30: Theory
October 7: Defining variables
October 14: Reliability
October 21: Validity
October 28: Research design
November 4: Threats to internal validity
November 11 Descriptive statistics
November 18: T-test
November 25: Correlation
December 2: Chi-square
December 9: Group Projects
December 16: Final
COMS 100C course material and interaction with the instructor and other members of the class is being delivered via the Web-based course management system, WebCT. Your course environment is a closed, secure environment. Your class is only accessible to registered students, the instructor, and the WebCT administrator.You have been assigned an login ID and an initial password. Once you have successfully logged into COMS 100C, Introduction to Scientific Methods in Communication Research, you should use the WebCT password tool and change your password.
Your login ID is your last name typed in ALL CAPS. Your initial password is the last four digits of your social security number.
To access the CSUS WebCT environment connect to the Internet using your Internet browser. The Web address is: http://www.courses.csus.edu:8900/
Select Course Listing, Communication Studies, then Introduction to Scientific Methods in Communication Research. You will be asked for a User Name and Password.
Note: To navigate within WebCT you must use the internal WebCT navigation buttons and NOT the Web browser Back and Forward buttons.
Using WebCT is a student technology introduction for students taking COMS 100C, section 2, and COMS 100B, section 6.
DEPARTMENT / COLLEGE / CSUS
Page updated: October 19, 1998