The course is designed to provide an overview of the concepts, methods, and tools by which communication research is designed, conducted, interpreted, and critically evaluated. The students will learn various principles and techniques of research methods including qualitative and quantitative approaches. It aims to introduce the students with various social scientific research methods used in the Communication discipline in general and Survey method in particular. It will guide the students regarding techniques of questionnaire construction. They will be guided how to write research proposal and report. They would be sensitized about the ethical considerations while conducting social science research.

Learning Outcomes

After the completion of course, students will be able to:

• Understand and differentiate different research approaches and methodologies
• Explain how to conduct data collection in quantitative research
• Students should explain key research concepts and issues
• Students should know why media research is undertaken, and the audiences that profit from research studies.
•  Students should be able to identify the overall process of designing a research study from its inception to its report.
• Students should know the primary characteristics of quantitative research and qualitative research.
• Students should be familiar with ethical issues in media research, including those issues that arise in using quantitative and qualitative research.

Course Contents:

• The research process
• What is research
• The development of mass media research
• Media research and scientific method
• Two sectors of research
• Academic and private
• Differences between Quantitative and qualitative research
• Research design for quantitative research
• Identifying the research problem
• Formulating the problem statement
• Reviewing the literature
• Theoretical framework
• Formulating research questions
• Formulating hypothesis
• Conceptualization and operationalization of variables
• Identifying the methodology
• Sampling techniques
• Collection of data
• Tabulation and interpretation of data
• Quantitative measurement
• Reliability and validity
• Survey method development of a questionnaire
• Scales Index score
• Ethics in research

Day                           Time

                                Regular               Ex-PPP         Self-Support

Monday                     09:30-11:00     12:30- 02:00     10:30- 05:00

Tuesday                    09:30-11:00      12:30- 02:00     10:30- 05:00

Suggested Readings

1. Wimmer, R.D; & Dominik, J.R. (2003). Mass Media Research: An Introduction. Wardsworth: USA.
2. Sarantakos, S. (1998). Social Science Research. MacMillan: London.
3. Creswell, J.W. (2009).Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mix Methods Approaches. Sage: London.
4. Bhattacherjee, A. (2012).Social science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices.  Creative Commons Attribution.
5. Miller, R.L; and Brewer, J.D. (edts) (2003).The A-Z of Social Research. Sage: London.
6.  Straubhaar, J. & LaRose, R. (2000). Media Now. Thompson Wadsworth
7. Beryrand, I; & Hughes, P. (2005). Media research Methods: Audiences, Institutions, Texts. NY: Palgrave MacMillan
8. Neuman, W.L. (2000). Social research Methods: Qulaitative and Quantitative Approach. Allyn and bacon: Boston.S
9. Tan, A.S. (1985). Mass Communication Theories and Research (2nd ed). NY: MacMillan.

Assessment Criteria

Sessional: 20 (Attendance 05, Presentation 05, Assignment 10)

Mid Term Exams: 30

Final Term exam:50

Rules and Regulations

• 80 % class attendance is a must.
• Assignments would not be accepted after the due date.
• Originality of work would be ensured in case of assignments.
• In group presentations, group members have to divide the sub-topics in consultation with the teacher.

. Note

1. Books are mentioned with serial numbers in the table.
2. At least two assignments would be given to the students during the semester.
3. Presentations would be arranged in group form.
4. Surprise quiz would be a regular activity.

Important Dates

Start date: January 13, 2020  End date: May 8, 2020

First Assignment: 5th Week

Quiz: 6th Week

Second Assignment: 14th Week