COMM 602 Syllabus

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Queens University of Charlotte

School of Communication

COMM 602: Research ProseminarFall 2009

Mon. 6-8:45 p.m.

Professor: Kim Weller Gregory, Ph.D.

Dana 102C

704.688.2747 (w) (no messages please)

704.277.6773 (c)

[email protected]

Office Hours: Mondays: 5 6 p.m.

Wednesdays: 5 6 p.m.

And By Appointment

REQUIRED MATERIALS

1) Primary Textbook: Baxter, L. A. & Babbie, E. (2004). The basics ofcommunication research. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson.

2) Resource Text: (2009). Publication manual of the American PsychologicalAssociation(6th ed). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association

3) Supplemental Readings: Copies given in class.4) Additional readings and research examples will be posted on the Queens Learning

Management System (Moodle). http://moodle.queens.edu/

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Research Proseminar is designed to orient graduate students to the field ofCommunication and academic research and writing.

The specific goals of this course are to:

1. Identify the various disciplines of communication and important academicorganizations and research journals

2. Expose you to the predominant theoretical underpinnings of the communication field3. Familiarize you with basic research methodologies and the structure of academic

research papers

4. Set you on the path for a successful graduate education


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Therefore, after completing this course, you will be able to:

Identify and locate academic research on a particular topic Summarize and evaluate an existing research study Understand quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and their respective

validity and reliability measures

Draft an annotated bibliography related to a particular research topic Draft a formal research proposal for your own research study using APA citation

style

o Choose a research topico Acknowledge your epistemological standpointo Perform library research and keep appropriate research noteso Compose an appropriate research questiono Write an effective literature reviewo Design a research methodologyo Complete a thorough APA bibliography

Understand what constitutes academic plagiarism Edit your own writing (and your peers) for clear style, grammar, and punctuation Translate academic research for a non-academic audience in an oral presentation Answer the question: Where do I go from here?

CLASS OPERATING PROCEDURE

General Expectations

If you take this course, here is my promise to you: I will do my best as the instructor to makethis class educational, practical and interesting. I will also try to facilitate a supportive learning

environment. In addition, I promise to regard you as a professional and treat you with respect.

Most of you hold full-time jobs inside or outside the home. Keeping this in mind, I will assume

that you are trying your best to meet course deadlines and complete high-quality assignments

given your multiple commitments and roles, both professional and personal.

But I cannot provide you with a positive learning experience without your active involvement.

Here is what I expect from you: I expect you to come to class prepared, energized, and ready

to participate. Although assignment deadlines are firm, I expect you to come talk to me should

you have problems completing assignments so that we can work together to develop a

solution. I welcome you to contact me if you have suggestions or concerns about the class.


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Specific Expectations

Assignments: Please submit two copies of all written documents---one hard copy and oneemail versionby 6 p.m. on the assigned day. Any assignments submitted to me after that

time will be considered late. Typically, any late assignment that I choose to accept is

penalized a minimum of one letter grade for each class meeting that it is late.

Unless otherwise noted, assignments should be typed double-spaced in 12-point font with

1-inch margins and follow APA style guidelines.

Writing: As students in a graduate program, I assume that your writing will be clear,coherent, and error free. If you feel like your writing skills need a significant amount of

work, I urge you to make an appointment at the Queens Writing Center, which is part of the

Center of Academic Success located in the lower level of Dana (contact Jenn Goddu at

[email protected] or 704.688.2765; also see

www.queens.edu/studentlife/resources/writing_center.asp).

Grading: All written assignments will receive letter grades that will be converted to anumerical score for final grade computation. The grading scale is as follows:

A 100 90

B 89 80

C 79 70

F 69 and below

Class Attendance: A great deal of learning in this course comes from our in-classdiscussions, so it is important that you attend class consistently. You may miss 1 class

meeting with no penalty. However, for each additional absence, you will receive a 5-

point reduction from your final participation grade. Occasionally, an additional absence willbe excused, but you must provide me with advance notice and compelling justification for

the absence.

In addition, this course meets 12 times over the semester. Therefore, astudent who

misses class more than 3 times (and thus misses more than 1/3 of the class meetings)

will receive a failing grade in the course.

Confidentiality: Confidentiality on all papers and projects will be honored. The names ofpeople or organizations may be changed for your coursework. Please see me if you have

any questions or concerns about your paper or project.

University Closings/Cancelled Classes: On the rare occasion when it is necessary to closethe university announcements will be made on TV and radio, and will be posted on the

Queens web site (www.queens.edu). Commuter students should call the Queens

Information Hotline (704-337-2567). NOTE: If classes are meeting but you feel that you

cannot find a safe way to get to class, you should notify me as soon as possible.


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Honor Code & Plagiarism: The Honor Code, which permeates all phases of university life,is based on three fundamental principles. It assumes that Queens students: a) are truthful

at all times, b) respect the property of others, and c) are honest in tests, examinations, term

papers, and all other academic assignments. Please contact me if you believe a violation of

the Honor Code has occurred. It is a violation of the Honor Code for a student to be

untruthful concerning the reason for a class absence.

Intellectual Property Policy: Queens University of Charlotte faculty and students adhere tothe Queens Intellectual Property Policy. See Faculty Handbook, http://moodle.queens.edu,

and the Queens University of Charlotte website at http://www.queens.edu.

Disability Accommodations: If you are a student with a verified disability and you requireaccommodations, please provide me with the necessary memorandum that was given to

you by Student Disability Services. Contact: The Coordinator of Disability Services: Sandy

Rogelberg, 704-337-2508.

GRADED ASSIGNMENTS

Participation 20%

This course requires weekly reading and completing regular research and writing

exercises both in class and out of class. Your participation grade is based oncompleting these un-graded activities as directed, with your best effort and on time.This grade is also based on active involvement in class discussions and satisfactoryattendance.

If you miss a class, review what you missed with a colleague, try to complete anyexercises required, and then submit them to me for at least partial credit. Youcannot earn any credit once we have discussed the exercise in class.

Here are some (but possibly not all) of the exercises:

Research Scavenger Hunt (Due Oct 5) Plagiarism Exercise (Due Oct 19) Writing Style Exercises (Due Nov 30 & Dec 7) Oral Presentation (Due Dec 14)

Research Critique 25%

Summarize and critique a peer reviewed scholarly journal article. See more

instructions below.Due: Oct 26


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Annotated Bibliography 20%

Draft an annotated bibliography on six journal articles that you will use for yourresearch proposal. We will discuss this assignment more in class, but generally, anannotated bibliography is a list of sources of information on a specific topic thatincludes a short summary of the content of each of the works.

Due: Nov 9

Research Proposal 35%

Draft a formal research proposal on a chosen organizational communication topic.Use APA citation style (perfectly!). See more guidelines below.

There are several mini assignments due to help you progress on this assignment:

Research Topic (one sentence): Due Sept 28 Research Questions: Due Oct 12 Rationale (1 paragraph) and Theoretical Framework (1 paragraph): Due Nov 2Below are the other major deadlines:

Draft of Research Proposal (to editing partner): Due Nov 23 Final Research Proposal: Due Dec 14 Informal Presentation of Proposed Research: Due Dec 14 in class (ungraded

but part of participation grade)


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RESEARCH CRITIQUE

Guidelines

Locate an organizational communication research study from NC Live (online database). 1

The article must be full text and from an A-level, peer-reviewed scholarly journal. 2 Thestudy you choose should be traditional in its formati.e., it should have a clearly outlinedliterature review, research questions, and methodology (e.g., human subjects/participants).

(Note: You are also welcome to review an unpublished Ph.D. dissertation. You will needto acquire a hard copy of the dissertation through interlibrary loan).

Print and read the article. In a 5-page paper, succinctly summarize the study and critiquethe authors choices and methodologies.

When summarizing the study, include its:1. Purpose in conducting the research2. Research problem (research questions)3. Rationale or justification for conducting the research (i.e., its theoretical and social

significance and how it intends to contribute to org comm research)4. Epistemological standpoint (interpretive, functional, critical, etc.)The majority of your paper should discuss the paper s effectiveness. Whencritiquing the researchers choices, be sure to answer the following questions:

1. Do you think the author wrote an effective literature review?(i.e., Did he/she build a strong case/rationale for the study or did he/she just includeeverything under the sun on the subject?)

2. Does the author clearly identify the research questions?3. Does the author clearly identify their epistemological standpoint? (Do they claim

objectivity?)

4. Is the study guided by communication theory?5.

Given the author

s objectives, do you think the author made appropriate and effectivechoices re:

Method for gathering data Method for analyzing data Method for interpreting data (theory)

Answer these questions to the best of your knowledge thus far.


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In the end, does the research complete its purported objectives?(i.e., Was the methodology effective at addressing the research questions?)

6. Are the authors findings/claims/interpretations valid and reliable? (given yourknowledge thus far)

Note: In addressing the above issues, identify reasonable and/or preferable alternatives.

7. Is the paper well written (i.e., organized, clear, accessible)?8. Does the paper use appropriate APA citation style?Be sure to take a step back at some point and take a holistic view of the study. Is theresearch compelling? Convincing? Does it add to the ongoing communication

conversation?

Note: The articles from Reading and Understanding Researchby Locke on Moodle areexcellent! 3

1 You can access NCLIVE on the web at www.nclive.org. You will need the ID andpassword.

2 You can readily find a listing of top org comm-related journals in the following locations:

Appendix A of your Baxter & Babbietext Bourhis et. al. Chapter 1 (Moodle)

3In addition to your assigned readings, I have put several chapters of a book entitled,Reading and Understanding Research(Locke, Silverman, & Spirduso, 1998) on Moodle.This book is a valuable resource when writing a critique. If you are feeling uneasy aboutthe assignment, I highly suggest you look at them. The chapters on Moodle are the

following:

Chapter 3: When to Believe What You Read Chapter 4: How to Select and Read Research Reports

Chapter 7: Reading Critically: Things to Notice and Questions to Ask.

I have also put on Moodle an example of a research critique that I helped write when Iwas a masters student.


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RESEARCH PROPOSAL

You should explore an organizational communication topic of interest to you. Although youwill NOT conduct a research study, per se, you will draft a formal research proposal for astudy you might conduct (hypothetically).

We will spend the semester acquiring the knowledge and skills that you need to completethis assignment. However, below I provide you with guidelines that will help you along theway.

First, identify a topici.e., a particular organizational process or phenomenon to explore.Here are some general ideas:

Interpersonal Relationships atWork

Manager-SubordinateCommunication

Group/Team Communication (e.g.,group development, groupdynamics, self-managed teams)

Gender Relations Power Organizational Democracy Organizational Strategies (e.g.,

image, branding)

Conflict Management Employee Socialization

InterculturalCommunication/Diversity

Learning Organizations Dialogue Technology (e.g., virtualorganizations) Leadership Mass Media affects on

Organizations

Employee Identity Employee Motivation Change Management Feedback/Employee Performance

Narrow your topic to include a particular group or context in order to identify a specific topicyou might be able to explore given the scope of our assignment.

Second, you will need to do substantial research on your topic, which will help you todevelop your annotated bibliography and later your rationale/literature review and

research questions.

Third, you will need to adopt an epistemological standpoint and/or theoreticalframework to guide your study. Based on our time limitations, many of you may chooseto ground your study in the Social Construction of Reality or Symbolic Interactionism. Of

course, you might also decide to take on a functional lens or a critical lens. Thosestudents with more experience are welcome to adopt other theoretical lenses.

Fourth, you will need to propose a methodology for your studye.g., ethnography,participant observation, interviewing, or a quantitative methodology if you wish. As part of

your methodology, you will identify a means of data analysis (e.g., discourse analysis,narrative discourse, inferential statistics).


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Your formal research proposal should include the following the sections:

Title Page

Title Authors name and institutional affiliation Date Running head for publication (optional)

Abstract

Introduction

Framework and rationale for the study(Introduce the problem, develop the background, and state the purpose andrationale for the study)

Literature Review focusing on the specific topic area(this may be included in above discussion)

Role of communication (how you will use communication to study your topic) Research questions

Methodology

Setting (i.e., description of the organization(s) or individual(s) you intend to study Participants (this section could be included in above discussion) Procedures (i.e., how will you gather your data) Data Analysis (i.e., how will you analyze your data)

Conclusion

Summary (briefly review the study, purpose, theoretical framework, and proposedmethod)

Implications/contributions of the study Limitations/delimitations of the study Conclusion

References

Appendices (if any)

Your report will be evaluated on its organization, clarity, readability, and ability to put forth

a cohesive and convincing rationale for your project. Be sure to proofread your workeliminating any spelling and grammatical errors, since your grade will be also based in parton the quality of your writing.

Your paper should strictly adhere to APA style guidelines. Note: Each APA errorwill lower your proposal grade by 1 point! Proofread carefully!


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TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

Note: Some of the assigned readings include research examples that can be found onlinethrough Queens Learning Management System named Moodle (seehttp://moodle.queens.edu/). You are not required to read these articles verbatim. They

are offered as examples to expose you to a variety of research methodologies (seereferences list at end of syllabus for more info). Just familiarize yourself with the studysstructure and intent.

DATE TOPICS READINGS

DUE

ASSIGNMENTS

DUE

Sep 14 The Academic Field of Communication

What is Organizational Communication?

How to Be a Grad Student

Supplement:

Littlejohn

Sep 21 Epistemology = Ways of Knowing

Major Theoretical Approaches

Functionalism vs. Interpretivism

The Social Construction of Reality

Symbolic InteractionismCritical Theory

Research Practice: How to Choose a Research

Topic

B&B: Ch 1,

Ch 3, pp. 17-19

Supplement:

Blumer (skim),

Christian (skim)

Sep 28 Conducting Library & Internet Research

Guest Speaker: Melinda Livas, Everett

Library Information Fluency Librarian

Popular Communication Journals

Credit to Sources

Research Practice: How to do a Title Page &

Abstract

How to Write an Annotated Bibliography

B&B: pp. 19-28

APA: pp. 9-11,

Chs. 2 (just

review), 6 & 7

Bourhis et. al.

(Moodle): Ch 1,

Ch. 2, pp. 25-

26

MEET AT

EVERETT

LIBRARY

Research Topic

Due

Research

Scavenger Hunt

Assigned in Class


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DUE

ASSIGNMENTS

DUE

Oct 5 Theory & The Dialectics of Social ResearchIdiographic vs. Nomothetic Explanation

Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning

Pure vs. Applied Research

Research Practice: How to Create a Research

Question

B&B: Ch 4,pp. 38-43

Moodle

examples:

Shelby, Sypher

ResearchScavenger Hunt

Due

Oct 12 Evaluating Academic Research

Qualitative & Quantitative Research

Issues of Validity & Reliability

Ethics in Academic Research: Plagiarism,

IRBs, & Intellectual Property

Research Practice: How to write a Research

Critique

B&B: Ch. 5, pp.

28-30, pp. 103-

105, pp. 297-

299

APA: pp. 11-20

Bourhis

(Moodle): pp.

26-27,

Appendic C

Research

examples

(Moodle):Bender

Research

Questions Due

Oct 19 An Introduction to Qualitative Research

Overview of a Research Proposal &

Research Report

Research Practice: How to Write a Rationale,

Literature Review, and Theoretical Framework

B&B: p. 43

Bourhis

(Moodle): pp.

28-29

Research

Examples

(Moodle):

Conway

Plagiarism Exercise

Due

Oct 26 No Class Meeting Catch up! Research Critique

Due (Graded)


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DUE

ASSIGNMENTS

DUE

Nov 2 Qualitative Research MethodsInterviewing

Participant Observation/Ethnography

Phenomenology

Action Research

Cooperative/Participative Inquiry

Grounded Theory

Research Practice: How to Propose a

Methodology

Supplement:Goodall pp. ix-

xxv

B&B: Read pp.

300-310 but

skim the

remainder of

Chs 13 & 14

Research

Examples

(Moodle):

Jorgenson,

Sherry,

Marcellus,

McMillan, Ellis

Rationale &Theoretical

Framework Due

Nov 9 Qualitative Data Analysis

Discursive Practice

Narrative

Cultural Performance

Research Practice: How to Write a Data

Anaylsis/Findings Section & Conclusion

Supplement:

Pacanowsky &

ODonnell-

Trujillo

B&B: Skim Chs

15 & 16

Research

Examples

(Moodle):

Hafen,

Vanderford,

Morgan,

Cyphert

Annotated

Bibliography Due

(graded)


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DUE

ASSIGNMENTS

DUE

Nov 16 Quantitative Research

Conducting a Quantitative Study

B&B: Ch 6, 7,

Skim Chs 8 & 9

Research

Examples

(Moodle):

Ludlum,

Crampton,

Martin

Nov 23 Quantitative Data Analysis B&B: Skim Ch

10; Read Chs

11 & 12

Research

Examples

(Moodle):

Amason

Research

Proposal Draft

Due (to Editing

Partner)

(should include

Rationale, Lit

Review, Theoretical

Framework &

Proposed

Methodology)

Nov 30 Capstone: What is it? How do I get ready for it?

Guest Speakers: 2009 MA COMM Grads

Writing Practice: Writing Clearly & Concisely

APA: Ch. 3 Writing Practice

Exercises Due

Editing Partner

Return Drafts

Dec 7 Presentation Guidelines

Guidelines for Visual Elements

Submitting a Manuscript for Publication

Writing Practice: Mechanics of Style

APA: Chs. 4,

5 (review only),

& 8

Writing Practice

Exercise Due


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DUE

ASSIGNMENTS

DUE

Dec 14 Presentations of Research Proposals in Class Final Research

Proposal Due(Graded)

Informal

Presentations in

Class

References

Following is the complete reference information for the readings in your supplementalreading packet:

Blumer, H. (1969). Symbolic interactionism: Perspective and method. Englewood Cliffs,NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Christian, J. L. (2008). Philosophy: An introduction to the art of wondering(10th ed).Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Goodall, H. L. (1994). Casing a promised land: The autobiography of an organizational

detective as cultural ethnographer. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press.

Littlejohn, S. W., & Foss, K. A. (2005). Theories of human communication. Belmont, CA:Thomson Wadsworth.

Pacanowsky, M. E., & ODonnell-Trujillo, N. (1983). Organizational Communication asCultural Performance. Communication Monographs, 50, 126-147.

Research Examples on Moodle

Research Methods

Locke, L. F., Silverman, S. J., & Spirduso, W. W. (1998). Reading and understandingresearch. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.


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Research Critique

Bender, F., Bromley, J., Eisner, S., & Weller, K. (1994). Thesis Critique: Experiences ofCloseness in Male Friendship by Chris Inman. Unpublished manuscript.

Book Reviews

Allen, M. W. (Ed.). (2004). Book reviews. Southern Communication Journal, 69(3), 270-272.

Deductive Theory: Content Analysis

Shelby, A. N. (1993). Organizational, business, management, and corporatecommunication: An analysis of boundaries and relationships. The Journal ofBusiness Communication, 30, 241-267.

Essay: Typologies

Sypher, B. D. (2004). Reclaiming civil discourse in the workplace. SouthernCommunication Journal, 69, 257-269.

Example of Qualitative Research: Case Study with Content Analysis

Conway, M. (2006). The subjective precision of computers: A methodological

comparison with human coding in content analysis. Journalism & MassCommunication Quarterly, 83, 186-200.

Qualitative Research Methods: Interpretive Study with Interviews

Jorgenson, J., Gregory, K. W., & Goodier, B. C. (1998). Working the boundaries:Enfamilied selves in the modern organization. Human Systems, 8, 139-151.

Qualitative Research Methods: Case Study

McMillan, J. J. (2004). The potential for civic learning in higher education: Teacherdemocracy by being democratic. Southern Communication Journal, 69, 188-205.

Qualitative Research Methods: Archival

Marcellus, J. (2006). Woman as machine: Representation of secretaries in interwarmagazines. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, 83, 101-115.


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Qualitative Research Methods: Interpretive Ethnography

Sherry, J. F., Jr. & McGrath, M. A. (1989). Unpacking the holiday presence: Acomparative ethnography of two gift stores. In E. C. Hirschman (Ed.), InterpretiveConsumer Research, (pp. 148-167).

Qualitative Research Methods: Ethnography (Impressionist Tale)

Ellis, C. (1993). There are survivors: Telling a story of sudden death. The SociologicalQuarterly, 34, 711-730.

Qualitative Data Analysis: Narrative Accounts

Hafen, S. (2004). Organizational gossip: A revolving door of regulation and resistance.

Southern Communication Journal, 69, 223-240.

Qualitative Data Analysis: Narrative Analysis

Vanderford, M. L., & Smith, D. H. (1996). The silicone breast implant story:Communication and uncertainty. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Qualitative Data Analysis: Cultural Studies/Critical Theory

Morgan, J. M. (2001). Are we out of the box yet? A case study and critique ofmanagerial metaphors of change. Communication Studies, 52, 85-102.

Qualitative Data Analysis: Rhetorical Analysis

Cyphert, D., & Saiia, D. H. (2004). In search of the corporate citizen: The emergingdiscourse of corporate ecology. Southern Communication Journal, 69, 241-256.

Quantitative Research Methods: Survey

Ludlum, M. & Mascaloinov, S. (2004). Right and wrong and cultural diversity: Replicationof the 2002 NAS/Zogby Poll on Business Ethics. Journal of Education and

Business, 294-298.

Quantitative Research Methods: Survey

Crampton, S. M., Hodge, J. W., & Mishra, J. M. (1998). The informal communication

network: Factors influencing grapevine activity. Public Personnel Management, 27,569-585.


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Quantitative Research Methods: Existing Measurement Tool

Martin, D. M., Rich, C. O., & Gayle, B. M. (2004). Humor works: Communication styleand humor functions in manager/subordinate relationships. SouthernCommunication Journal, 69, 206-222.

Triangulation: Observations, Interviews, Survey

Amason, P., Allen, M. W., & Holmes, S. A. (1999). Social support and acculturative stressin the multicultural workplace. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 27,310-334.

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COMM 602 Syllabus