Prof. Ye Sun | Associate Professor | ye.sun@utah.edu
Online | Spring 2021 | Department of Communication | University of Utah
Course Outline
This asynchronous online course is a basic research methods course for those with little or no experience or course work in quantitative communication research. COMM 3710 is a quantitative intensive (QI) course. The goal of this course is to provide you with a critical framework for evaluating social science research and some hands-on experience in the process of conducting empirical investigations. We will examine how research questions are developed into a research project. Additionally, we will learn how to select appropriate research techniques, measure concepts, draw samples, interpret results, and write research reports. Key topics include:
- Formalizing hypotheses and research questions grounded in theory
- Testing hypotheses and research questions
- Conceptual and operational definitions
- Measurement, sampling, and research design
- Data analysis in communication research
I expect you to log into the course regularly (at least 3-5 times per week), complete and submit work on time, and ask questions if you need help.
Required Text and Readings
Wrench, J.S. (2019) Quantitative Research Methods for Communication: A Hands-On Approach (4th edition). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
The textbook is available through the Inclusive Access program, which provides you with digital access to the textbook via Canvas at a reduced price. You can access the book from the “Bookshelf” tab on the Canvas course page.
You may opt out of the Inclusive Access program here by Jan 29, 2021. However, the textbook is required, and you are expected to have it even if you opt out of this program.
Additional readings will be provided as PDF documents on Canvas.
Technology Requirements
To ensure that you have full access to the course, you will need:
- Reliable access to a laptop or desktop computer. A mobile device (tablet, phone) will not be sufficient to complete this course.
- Internet access fast enough to stream videos and connect to online meetings.
- A working webcam and microphone for online Zoom meetings.
- An Internet browser compatible with Canvas. For more information, see this page.
We will be using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), R, and RStudio in this course. Additionally, access to a text-editor (e.g., Wordpad, TextEdit, Notepad++, Atom) and Adobe Acrobat (free for UofU students) are recommended.
You will need access to Canvas, Zoom, and your University email account.
Canvas
I expect you to check the course Canvas website regularly. Announcements, assignments, readings, etc., will be posted there. You should be familiar with and comfortable using Canvas. If you need help with Canvas, visit the Canvas Getting Started Guide for Students.
University Email
You should check your University email account regularly. Be sure to review the course email policies as necessary throughout the semester.
Technology Help
For general help with Canvas, click the “Help” button in Canvas (when on your desktop), or contact them by phone(+1 844-527-032) or live chat. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can also read the Canvas Student Guides, search for help articles in the University of Utah Knowledge Base, or contact classhelp@utah.edu.
General computer support is available through the Marriott Library Knowledge Commons. They can answer questions about your Windows or Mac machines, as well as questions about commonly used software, such as PowerPoint and Excel. Submit a ticket to get help:
Course Requirements
Course grades will be based on the following:
- Quizzes (40%)
- Group project (30%)
- Individual lab assignments (30%)
- Week 6 participation checkpoint
Quizzes (100 pts)
Quizzes will be administered on Canvas. All quizzes will be based on assigned readings and lectures. Under no circumstances will make-up or late quizzes be administered but you may drop one quiz. You have until the end of the week to complete each quiz. There are 11 quizzes, each worth 11 points. You will have 12 minutes to complete your quiz. Note that you only have one attempt at each quiz—please do not start a quiz unless you are ready to complete it.
Group Project (100 pts)
You will be randomly assigned to a project group with other students enrolled in this course. As a group and using secondary data, you will explicate a research problem, conduct basic data analysis, and report your research. You will complete group project components in lab throughout the semester. Detailed instructions will be provided on Canvas. At the end of the semester, your group will share your research with other students in the course.
Peer Evaluations (individual submissions). You will evaluate other team members’ performance on a regular basis. It is imperative for team members to be well prepared, willing to participate, respectful, and contribute good work to group assignments. Peer evaluations indicate how well the members of the team contribute high-quality work. The peer evaluation scores can be used to determine what percentage of the team grade should be awarded to each team member.
Individual Assignments (80 pts)
There are 8 individual assignments. Information on individual assignments will be provided on Canvas. Late assignments will not be accepted.
Week 6 Checkpoint
At the end of Week 6, any students who have not demonstrated regular participation may not proceed in the class and will not be permitted to pass the course.
- “Regular participation” as a student is defined as earning at least 50% of the possible points on required up to that point (Week 6).
- The checkpoint threshold is generous–well below a failing score for this course. For that reason, absolutely no exceptions will be granted. Regular participation is required because each week’s material builds on the work from the prior week. If you are not performing to this standard by this point in the course, it is too late to “catch up.”
- I would urge non-participants to withdraw from the course to avoid receiving a failing grade (see the Academic Calendar for withdrawal deadlines). Any future work such students might choose to submit will not be evaluated.
Virtual Office Hours
There are two teaching assistants for this class. They will hold Office hours virtually every week. Please feel free to drop in. See the “Office Hours” Module on Canvas for specific information.
Course Grading
Information on the grade points assigned to letter grades and how to calculate your GPA can be found here.
If you wish to dispute your grade on any assignment or quiz, you must put your concerns in writing (as a Microsoft Word document or PDF attached in an email), clearly outlining your rationale. These concerns must be presented to your TA within one week of receiving your grade. If you and your TA cannot reach a resolution, Professor Sun will conduct an independent evaluation of the given assignment, which may result in a higher or lower grade.
You can and should check your grade regularly on Canvas. You can also use Canvas to calculate “what-if” scores and determine the score you need to get to do well in this class.
Course Policies
By enrolling in this course, you agree to:
- respect all members of the course;
- engage with the online content meaningfully;
- meet the requirements of this course; and
- abide by the course policies outlined below.
This list represents the minimal standards to make the course a productive learning space. Your final grade may be reduced by 1% each time you engage in disruptive and/or disrespectful behaviors.
Email Policy
It is critical that you check your University email account frequently and that you use your University email account to contact me.
Using a non-University account runs the risk of your message being diverted to Spam and your message may not reach me in a timely fashion, if at all. Emails should be written clearly and professionally with correct spelling and grammar. Emails that do not conform to these rules will not receive a response.
When you contact me and your TAs, we expect you to be professional in your communication. This includes:
- Providing a relevant description or statement in the email subject line. Do not leave the subject line blank or simply write, “Hi.”
- Providing your full name, uNID, and class section in the message.
- Using appropriate salutations (e.g., Dr. or Prof. Sun).
- Using paragraphs, not just long blocks of text.
- Proofreading your writing.
- Providing a clear description of your problem and all relevant information.
- Being polite in your emails. For example, you should end your messages with a signature, such as “sincerely,” “regards,” or “thank you.”
Course Civility
Communication allows us to engage with others and broaden our perspectives. How we discuss concepts, in the physical or virtual classroom, is part of that process. Our diverse perspectives and experiences will inform and enhance those discussions. Each member of the class is expected to foster a respectful, generous, and supportive online environment that makes room for productive difference and reasoned debate. Spirited discussion is encouraged. However, incivility is a different story entirely. Here is the basic netiquette that will be expected in the course:
- Always address your classmates by name. There is a human being on the other side of the screen who also has struggles, doubts, and bad days.
- Disagreement is encouraged! Approach differences in a manner that seeks clarity and better understanding by asking productive questions and by providing counterarguments that are supported with evidence.
- Anytime you have a strong emotional reaction to something, pause before responding. Always seek to provide an argument that is supported by credible evidence based on the theories we discuss in this course.
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct will be punished to the fullest extent possible.
You are responsible for understanding what constitutes academic misconduct (see Policy 6-400). Anyone found guilty of academic misconduct should expect to fail this course. In addition, academic misconduct may result in other penalties deemed appropriate by the university. Your rights and responsibilities are outlined in Policy 6-400, the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. You are responsible for obeying Policy 6-400. Ignorance of the policy is not an excuse.
Curriculum Accommodations
Curriculum accommodations take two forms—scheduling and content accommodations. I will consider scheduling accommodations on a case-by-case basis for those who have conflicts that involve religious observances, University-sanctioned activities, and personal or medical emergencies, if you submit the appropriate documentation in advance of the conflict. If you anticipate a scheduling conflict, please speak with me as soon as possible. Without exception, it is your responsibility to plan for any scheduling conflict.
There will be no content accommodations in this course. The material has been selected for its pedagogical value in relation to the concepts we are engaging. It is your responsibility to review the course materials to be sure that this is a course you wish to take. More information on the University’s accommodation policy can be found in Policy 6-100.
Emergency Plan
In the event of a University-wide emergency which prevents us from meeting face-to-face, students should continue to stay current with our schedule as posted in this syllabus and to attend to the course website on Canvas. Information about the status of assignments and other course work due during this period will be addressed on Canvas and, if necessary, by way of email.
On Learning Strategies
One of the best ways to understand any subject is to actively try to make connections between a new topic and information you already have stored in memory. The more connections you can make between new material you encounter in this class and what you already know, the better you will be able to remember and apply it.
Our goal is knowledge integration, connecting the dots between what might appear to be disparate concepts but are ideas that fit together into a bigger picture thereby providing a broader context for understanding. The best way to achieve knowledge integration is to:
- Make sure you complete the readings, actively drawing out the implications of the texts by connecting them to things you already know, have read in the news, or are learning in other classes.
- Actively engage with the content and ask questions about things you do not understand. Respectful discussion is encouraged in all my courses.
University Policies
COVID-19
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must submit a report at coronavirus.utah.edu. For more information about how the University is handling the coronavirus pandemic, visit coronavirus.utah.edu.
ADA
The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services, and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in this class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Olpin Union Building, (801) 581-5020.
CDS will work with you and the instructor to arrange accommodations. All written information in this course can be made available in an alternative format with prior notification to the Center for Disability Services.
Safety
University Safety Statement. The University of Utah values the safety of all campus community members. To report suspicious activity or to request a courtesy escort, call campus police at 801-585-COPS (801-585-2677).
You will receive important emergency alerts and safety messages regarding campus safety via text message. For more information regarding safety and to view available training resources, including helpful videos, visit safeu.utah.edu.
Addressing Sexual Misconduct. Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender (includes sexual orientation and gender identity/expression) is a civil rights offense subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, color, religion, age, status as a person with a disability, veteran’s status or genetic information.
If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you are encouraged to report it to the Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, 135 Park Building, 801-581-8365, or the Office of the Dean of Students, 270 Union Building, 801-581-7066. For support and confidential consultation, contact the Center for Student Wellness, 426 SSB, 801-581-7776. To report to the police, contact the Department of Public Safety, 801-585-2677 (COPS).
Course Schedule
The schedule is tentative. Any changes will be announced on Canvas. Your continued enrollment in this course constitutes an agreement to abide by the policies and procedures in this syllabus.
Throughout the semester, there will be drop-in office hours via Zoom. You may drop-in to ask questions but are not required to attend these office hours.
Note: LA = individual lab assignment, GP = group project component
Overview
| Reading | Quiz | Individual Assignment (check Canvas for due dates) |
Group Assignment (check Canvas for due dates) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 (Jan 19) | Syllabus, Pauk Ch. 7, Wrench Ch, 1 | 1 | LA.1–Installing R and RStudio | GP.A–Ethics in Human Subjects Research |
| Week 2 (Jan 25) | Wrench Ch. 2, 3, Cushing | 2 | LA.2–Understanding Data | GP.B–Finding a Research Topic |
| Week 3 (Feb 1) | McLeod et al. | 3 | LA.3–Examining Data | |
| Week 4 (Feb 8) | Wrench Ch. 6, 7 | 4 | LA.4–Working with Data | |
| Week 5 (Feb 16) | Wrench Ch. 9, 11 | 5 | LA.5–Visualizing Data | GP.C–Literature Review |
| Week 6 (Feb 22) | Wrench Ch. 8 | 6 | LA.6–Relationships in Data | |
| Week 7 (Mar 1) | Wrench Ch. 12, ASA pp. 63-68, AAPOR (2007) | 7 | LA.7–Practice Data Analysis | GP.D–Exploring Data |
| Week 8 (Mar 8) | Wrench Ch. 13, 14, Silver, Zukin | 8 | LA.8–Practice Data Analysis | GP.E–Data Management |
| Week 9 (Mar 15) | Wrench Ch. 15, 16, 18 | 9 | ||
| Week 10 (Mar 22) | 10 | GP.F–Univariate Graphs | ||
| Week 11 (Mar 29) | Group Project work | 11 | GP.G–Bivariate Graphs | |
| Week 12 (Apr 5) | Group Project work | GP.H–Statistical Tests | ||
| Week 13 (Apr 12) | Group Project work | GP.I–Reporting Research | ||
| Week 14 (Apr 19) | Group Project work | |||
Week 1 (19-Jan)
Course introduction | Quiz 1
- Readings: Syllabus, Pauk Ch. 7, Wrench Ch, 1
- Lab: Introduction, LA.1–Installing R and RStudio (10 pts), GP.A–Ethics in Human Subjects Research (10 pts)
Week 2 (25-Jan)
Overview of the research process; Research ethics | Quiz 2
- Readings: Wrench Ch. 2, 3, Cushing
- Lab: LA.2–Understanding Data (10 pts), GP.B–Finding a Research Topic (10 pts)
Week 3 (1-Feb)
Concept explication | Quiz 3
- Readings: McLeod et al.
- Lab: LA.3–Examining Data (10 pts)
Week 4 (8-Feb)
Variables and measurement | Quiz 4
- Readings: Wrench Ch. 6, 7
- Lab: LA.4–Working with Data (10 pts)
Week 5 (16-Feb)
Survey research; Experiments | Quiz 5
- Readings: Wrench Ch. 9, 11
- Lab: LA.5–Visualizing Data (10 pts), GP.C–Literature Review (10 pts)
Week 6 (22-Feb): Participation Checkpoint
Reliability and validity | Quiz 6
- Readings: Wrench Ch. 8
- Lab: LA.6–Relationships in Data (10 pts)
Week 7 (1-Mar)
Sampling | Quiz 7
- Readings: Wrench Ch. 12, ASA pp. 63-68, AAPOR (2007)
- Lab: LA.7–Practice Data Analysis (10 pts), GP.D–Exploring Data (10 pts)
Week 8 (8-Mar)
Introduction to statistics; Descriptive statistics | Quiz 8
- Readings: Wrench Ch. 13, 14, Silver, Zukin
- Lab: LA.8–Practice Data Analysis (10 pts), GP.E–Data Management (10 pts)
Week 9 (15-Mar)
Inferential statistics | Quiz 9
- Readings: Wrench Ch. 15, 16, 18
Week 10 (22-Mar)
Data analysis | Quiz 10
- Lab: GP.F–Univariate Graphs (10 pts)
Week 11 (29-Mar)
Group Project work | Quiz 11
- Lab: GP.G–Bivariate Graphs (10 pts)
Week 12 (5-Apr)
Group Project work
- Lab: GP.H–Statistical Tests (15 pts)
Week 13 (12-Apr)
Group Project work
- Lab: GP.I–Reporting Research (15 pts)
Week 14 (19-Apr)
Group Project work