Social science research methods in interpersonal communication. Covers formalizing research questions, conceptual and operational definitions, hypothesis testing, measurement, sampling, research design, data collection, computer analysis of survey and observational data, interpretation, and presentation of data for a better understanding of human communication.
Athena Title
Empirical Research Method Comm
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in COMM 3700E
Pre or Corequisite
STAT 2000 or STAT 2000E or MSIT 3000 or MSIT 3000H or MSIT 3000E or BUSN 3000 or BUSN 3000H or BUSN 3000E
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to explain the logic, concepts, and process of social science research as it applies to communication.
By the end of this course, students will be able to locate, summarize, and critically evaluate published research that examines communication in various contexts.
By the end of this course, students will be able to construct hypotheses about communication processes and design quantitative surveys to test them.
By the end of this course, students will be able to compose a quantitative-methods research proposal to assess the influence and outcomes of communication.
Topical Outline
Introduction to research in communication and the research process.
The logic, concepts, and process of social science research as it applies to communication.
Constructing hypotheses about communication processes and designing quantitative surveys to test them.
The final group project: A quantitative-methods research proposal to assess the influence and outcomes of communication.
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
