Course info
Professor: Melissa Wall, Ph.D.
Phone: 818/677-5677
Office: Manzanita 330
E-mail: melissa.a.wall[at]csun.edu
Office hours: T 12-1, Th 530-7
Course Description: Mass Communication 600 Seminar in Research Methods introduces students to the basics of conducting research in the social sciences. We will cover the key research methodologies including ethnography, depth interviewing, content analysis (quantitative and qualitative), historical research, and surveys. Although students are expected to master basic competencies in each method, the emphasis will be on qualitative research.
Required Readings:
Altheide, D. L. (1996). Qualitative media analysis. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Lindlof, T. R., & Taylor, B. C. (2002). Qualitative communication research methods. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Course reader available by the second week of classes at Northridge Stationery and Copy Center in the shopping center at the corner of Nordhoff and Reseda.
Recommended: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. (2001). (5th edition). Washington: American Psychological Association.
APA Style
APA Style (American Psychological Association)
APA's latest on electronic citations
Mass Comm Handbook
| ma_guidebook.pdf |
Objectives
By the end of the semester, students are expected to:
· Recognize the difference between scholarly and popular articles
· Be able to independently locate and assess academic research
· Be aware of the ethical aspects of research
· Conduct a literature review
· Be able to apply basic qualitative research methodologies
Syllabus
Plagiairism
All work must be your own. Tests and take-home assignments should be done individually. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated, and anyone caught cheating will be reported to the University for possible further action. For a further explanation of the behavior defined as academic dishonesty, and a more detailed discussion of disciplinary procedures, consult pages 522-524 of the 2002-2004 CSUN catalog. Please also remember that much of the information posted on the Internet is protected by U.S. copyright laws. Passing this information off as your own is a violation of CSUN's plagiarism policy and carries the penalties outlined above.