This document provides the syllabus for a Communication Research course taught in Fall 2017. It includes information about the instructor, course description and learning objectives, required textbook, class schedule, assignments including a literature review, research project, and exams, grading breakdown, and policies regarding attendance, participation, late work, and academic integrity. The course aims to introduce students to methods of social scientific research as applied to communication by having them master concepts and skills in both qualitative and quantitative analysis through in-class exercises, assignments, and a culminating research project.

1. CMAT 297-151 TR, 5:30PM—8:15PM TETC 110A
Communication Research
Fall 2017
Vinita Agarwal, PhD
Office: FH 272
Phone: 410-677-0083 (office); Email: vxagarwal@salisbury.edu
Office Hours: T 1:30PM –2:30PM, W 1:00PM–3:00PM, & TR 1:30PM—3:30PM
____________________________________________________________________________
Course Description
This course addresses core knowledge and skills for communication majors as defined in the
Department of Communication Art's Mission Statement. It introduces you to the methods of
social scientific research as they apply to communication. The course is a part of the
communication curriculum devoted to developing your critical thinking and problem solving
skills. You will also develop skills interpreting and evaluating communication research.
Learning Objectives
Students who complete this course will be able:
(a) To master the vocabulary and concepts of communication research.
(b) To use communication research to describe and analyze research problems.
(c) To develop and demonstrate skills in qualitative analysis.
(d) To critically evaluate the claims made on the basis of communication research.
(e) To develop and demonstrate skills in quantitatively oriented content analysis.
(f) To skillfully interpret and report findings of quantitative and qualitative content analyses.
(g) To explain the respective roles of qualitative methods and quantitative methods in
communication research and how they relate to each other.
(h) To compare and contrast the main research traditions within communication.
(i) To critically assess the ethical choices of social science researchers.
(j) To interpret, evaluate and communicate the findings of communication research.
Required textbook
Ø Keyton, J. (2015). Communication research: Asking questions, finding answers (4th
Ed.).
New York: McGraw Hill.
Recommended
Ø Bourhis, J., Adams, C., & Titsworth, S. (2009). Style manual for communication studies
(3rd
Ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
Ø Cresswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method
approaches (4th
Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Copyright Statement
Federal copyright law protects the lectures that I deliver in this class and the course materials I
create and distribute as my original works. My lectures are recorded or delivered from written
notes to guarantee they are copyright protected. You are permitted to take notes of lectures and
to use course materials for your use in this course. You may not record my lectures and you may
not publicly distribute/display or allow anyone else to publicly display/distribute my course
materials (e.g., learning or assignment handouts) or lecture notes without my written permission.

2. Attendance
Attendance at each class meeting is important if you are to do well in this course. Discussion
and learning exercises facilitated through the lecture are a significant component in your
understanding of the material. Through regular attendance and participation you are able to fully
earn the in-class exercise credit. This constitutes a significant part of your course grade. If you
are absent, you cannot be awarded participation points.
Participation
Research methods can be learned through reading combined with practice and application.
Participation includes being attentive, timely, prepared, and ready to engage. Assigned readings
should be completed before the related lectures per attached class schedule. By coming to class
having read and becoming familiar with the content of the day, you are better equipped to ask
questions to clarify challenging concepts and share examples that will enhance your grasp of the
material. Likewise, is highly recommended that you review your material carefully after class
including class exercises as each new concept builds on previous material.
Emergency Clause
In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines, and grading
percentages are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semester calendar or
other circumstances. Here are ways to get information about changes in this course: our course
website on SU’s My Classes web page and my email address (vxagarwal@salisbury.edu).
Academic Integrity
You are responsible to abide by Salisbury University policies about academic dishonesty.
Course Ethics
My overarching goal as your professor for the semester is to provide the best possible guidance
and environment for our learning goals. This includes being fair to every student in class. In
return, I expect professionalism, strong work ethics, and a commitment to learn and sustain a
positive learning environment for your fellow classmates.
In-Class Protocol and Professional Behavior
I reserve the right to take away your in-class participation points if you engage in disruptive or
discourteous behavior that hampers our learning objectives. Professionalism matters!
Professional Ethics—Computer-and Technology Use
CMAT 297 is held in a computer lab to use installed software and materials I will post on the
course website and support our academic engagement. Please refrain from inappropriate use of
technology (defined as anything other than the day’s course-and lecture-related work).
Exams, Late Policy, and Make-Ups
Exams will cover all content discussed in class and in the readings. The final exam is not
cumulative. All assignments are due at the beginning of class. It is your responsibility to
complete the exams on the scheduled day. Assignments are marked down by a grade point for
each day they are late and not accepted after the third day. No make-up exam will be granted
unless such approval is obtained by the student prior to the exam day from the instructor. Any

3. approved make-up assignment must be submitted with attached documentation including my
approval, revised date of submission, and any penalty.
Email Policy
No in-class assignments, HWs, or course assignments will be accepted in a media not specified
in the assignment description. Email me through My Classes for course-related questions.
Office Hours
Please note the instructor’s regular office hours on the syllabus. Stop by and make use of them!
Course Requirements
Daily lectures, discussions, and readings are designed to stimulate grasp of research methods and
processes as they guide the spirit of inquiry. The assignments reinforce the learning objectives so
the student has a clear and confident grasp of the material theoretically and pragmatically. Each
class meeting during the semester will have discussion and exercises to engage independent
student application of the learning content. Alongside, through engaging in substantive work for
out-of-class assignments (e.g., researching and writing a literature review, completing your
research project), students will cultivate the essential competencies required in myriad forms of
research (market research, audience research). The final research project is designed to simulate
a real, applied context, and will help the student bring together the learning concepts and
processes of the semester to gain valuable experience in engaging in research and inquiry. More
details will be provided in handouts during the semester.
1. Literature Review: Based on a topic of their choice, students work in groups to complete a
well-argued and comprehensive literature review drawing upon scholarly, peer-reviewed journal
articles that concludes with a logical research question or hypothesis. Organizational framework,
conceptual and theoretical development, and quality of writing will be evaluated.
2. Class Exercises: In each class meeting, we will engage in participatory exercises that will
engage the student in application and review of the learning content.
3. Research Project: The research project is the culminating assignment of the semester.
Students will work with a partner to select a topic, conduct a literature review to pose a research
question, and utilize both quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate their research
question/hypothesis. Topic approval must be obtained at the onset. Regular meetings with the
instructor are encouraged to guide students through each stage of the process. The project
culminates in a final class presentation.
4. Exams: The midterm and final will assess the student’s conceptual, theoretical, and practical
grasp of the learning content. Both exams will draw upon the textbook as well as lecture and in-
class and semester resources and discussions.
Grading
This class will be based on a system of 750 points.
Literature Review (Group) 100
Class Exercises 200
Research Project (Partner) 250
Exams (Midterm and Final) 200
TOTAL 750
Grade Breakdown
A= 90.0% & above; B= 80.0%–89.9%; C= 70.0%–79.9%; D= 60.0%–69.9%; F= 59% & below

4. CMAT 297 Fall 2017: TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE
Meeting Readings Assignments
WEEK # 1
Aug. 31 Welcomes, Introductions, Syllabus
Ch 1— Intro to Research in Communication
WEEK # 2
Sept. 7 Ch 2—The Research Process
Ch 3—Introduction to Quantitative Research
Assign Lit.
Review
WEEK # 3
Sept. 14 Ch 14—Intro to Qualitative Research
Ch 3—Research Ethics
Literature Review
Outline
WEEK # 4
Sept. 21 Literature Review Workshop
Ch 5—Measurement
Literature Review
1st Draft
WEEK # 5
Sept. 28 Ch 5—Measurement
Ch 6—Sampling
WEEK # 6
Oct. 5 Ch 7—Experiments
Field Research Project Brief and Approval
Literature
Review Due
WEEK # 7
Oct. 12 Ch 8—Surveys and Questionnaires
Ch 9—Descriptive Statistics
SPSS
WEEK # 8
Oct. 19 Ch 10—Testing for Differences (chi-square)
Ch 11—Testing for Relationships (Correlation)
SPSS
WEEK # 9
Oct. 26 Midterm: Ch 1—11, 14
SPSS Workshop
Ch 13—Reading and Writing Quantitative Research.
Ch 12—Quantitative Analysis of Texts (Content Analysis)
WEEK # 10
Nov. 2 SPSS Workshop
WEEK # 11
Nov. 9 Ch 15—Designing Qualitative Research
Ch 16—Qualitative Methods of Data Collection
Ch 17—Analyzing Qualitative Data
WEEK # 12
Nov. 16 Meet in groups to work on field research draft At NCA, Dallas.
WEEK # 13
Nov. 23 Thanksgiving Break (Nov. 22–Nov. 24, no class)
WEEK # 14
Nov. 30 Field Project Draft and Outline Meetings (Group Work)

5. Ch 18—Reading & Writing the Qualitative Research
Final Field Project Review Meetings
WEEK # 15
Dec. 7 Mixed Method Research Project Final Presentations Final
Presentations
Finals Week Final—Thursday, Dec 14, 2017: 4:15PM—6:45PM,
Ch 12, 13, 15—18, SPSS
v Important Semester Dates: Aug. 28—Dec. 11: Fall 2017 Session dates | Aug. 28: First
day of classes| Aug. 28—Sept. 1: Add/drop| Sept. 4: Labor Day | Nov. 3: Last day to
Withdraw with a grade of (W) | Nov. 22—Nov. 24: Thanksgiving Break | Dec. 12:
Reading day| Dec. 13—Dec. 19: Finals week| Dec. 20: Commencement