SPCOM 308: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Office: College Park, room 420-5 (4^th floor)

Office Hours: Tues 9:00-9:50 am & 1:30-2:20 pm; Wed. 1:30-2:30 pm, Thur 9:00-9:50 am &= 1:30-2:20 pm, or at other = times by prior appointment.

Phone: Office (657) 278-3269

email: rgass@fullerton.edu website: = http://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/= rgass

ASSIGNED READINGS

Required: Wrench, J.S., Thomas-Maddox, C., Peck Richmond, V., & McCroskey, J.C. (2008). Quantitative research methods for communication. New= York: Oxford University Press.

Optional: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th ed. (2001) Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

COURSE AIMS = AND GOALS

This course is designed to instill a greater appreciation for quantitative, experimental research methods. Students sh= ould a) acquire a better understanding of the relationship between theory, knowledge, and empirical research; b) become familiar with basic concepts a= nd principles of experimental design, c) learn how to read, interpret, and understand the basic elements of published empirical studies; d) learn how = to design and carry out a basic experiment, and e) gain competence in basic methods of data analysis.

STUDENT LEARNING GOALS

1. to understand key terms and concepts related to quanti= tative social science research

2. to understand the basic types of experimental designs<= o:p>

3. to be able to read and make sense of published quantit= ative studies

4. to design and carry out a controlled laboratory experi= ment

5. to gain a basic understanding of statistical methods o= f data analysis

6. to learn to use the Statistical Package for the Social= Sciences (SPSS) software

7. to learn about common pitfalls in experimental research (validity and reliability concerns)

8. to learn about ethical issues related to experimental research involving human participants

= &nb= sp; =

ASSIGNMENTS = AND REQUIREMENTS

Papers: You will be designing an original communication experiment in four stages. You are not actually carrying out = the investigation, but you are designing it as if you were. Each of the four papers represents= one stage of the experiment. The = stages are outlined below.

1. Research Prospectus: (3-4 pages, typed, double-spaced, not counting references): A brief overview of = the topic area for an experimental investigation, including the relevance of the line of research to the discipline, theoretical backdrop for the research, definitions of key terms and concepts, identification of the independent and dependent variables, and tentative statement of hypotheses and/or research questions. You must include a minimum of three citations from schola= rly refereed journal articles. (5% of course grade)

2. Rationale/Justification: (5-7 pages, typed, double-spaced, not counting references): A well-developed ver= sion of the research prospectus including the rationale or justification for conducting the experiment, theoretical underpinnings of your proposed investigation, clarification of the independent and dependent variables, a brief overview of your experimental design (type and number of conditions),= and formal statement of your hypotheses and/or research questions. You must inc= lude a minimum of four citations from scholarly refereed journal articles. (15% of course grade)

3. Revised Rationale and Review of Literature: (7-10 pages, typed, double-spaced, = not counting references) review of literature, and formal statement of the rese= arch questions and/or hypotheses. = You must cite 6-12 published studies from scholarly refereed journals in your literature review. (15% of course grade)

4. Methods section, plus revisions to the Rationale, and Review of Literature:= (10-12 pages, typed, double-spaced, not counting references). = Design of the Methods section of an original communication experiment, including a design statement, description of the participants, experimental procedures, operationalization of the independent variable(s), measurement of the depen= dent variable(s), and procedures for debriefing. (15% of course grade)

<= /p>
Exams: Three exams will be given during the semester.&n= bsp; Each exam is weighted equally (15%). Each exam will cover material intr= oduced since the previous exam, e.g., the exams are non-cumulative. Exams will be in multiple-choice f= ormat.

Test 1: 40-60 multiple-choice questions (15% of course grade)

Test 2: 40-60 multiple choice questions (15% of course grade)

Test 3: 40-60 multiple choice questions (15% of course grade)

Participation:<= /span> Much of the learning in this course= is based on class activities, meaning that you will “learn by doing̶= 1; and learn from one another, not just the instructor. Therefore, each student has a grea= ter responsibility to come to class prepared to learn and contribute to one another’s learning. Several class meeti= ngs will be spent designing, evaluating, and conducting class experiments. Students will be expected to parti= cipate meaningfully and enthusiastically on those days. The extent to which you have contributed to others’ learning will be taken into acc= ount if you are between grades at the semester’s end.

Extra credit may be available from time to time and will count as extra points toward the ne= xt exam.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

You are permitted= a maximum of four absences, for any reason, without penalty. Additional absences will result in a one letter grade reduction in your final course grade. You will receive a failing grade if you have more than six absences. Absences do not excuse you from assignments that fall due on the date of an absence. Chronic lateness and early leave-t= aking also count as absences. =

GRADING POLICY

You will receive a letter grade on = all assignments. Grades correspond to a “4.0” point scale (A =3D 4.= 0; A- =3D 3.7; B+ =3D 3.3; B =3D 3.0; B- =3D 2.7; C+ =3D 2.3; C =3D 2.0; C- =3D 1= .7; D+ =3D 1.3; D =3D 1.0; D- =3D 0.7; F =3D 0.0. Your overall semester grade is based on the com= bined, weighted letter grades received on all assignments. For example, if you received a “B” (3.0) on a paper that was worth 15% of your cour= se grade, the weighted value would be 3.0 X .15 =3D .45. A grade of C+ (2.3 on= a paper that was worth 15% of your grade would be: 2.3 X .15 =3D .345.

A hypothetical student’s grade might work out as follows:

Prospectus:               &= nbsp;   C+        (2.3)      X        &= nbsp; 05% =3D   .115

Rationale:        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p; B-         = (2.7)      X        &= nbsp; 15% =3D   .405

Literature Review= :        &= nbsp; B+        (3.3)      X        &= nbsp; 15% =3D   .495

Methods:        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p; A-         = (3.7)      X        &= nbsp; 15% =3D   .555

Exam 1:        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   C        &= nbsp; (2.0)      X        &= nbsp; 15% =3D   .30

Exam 2:        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   C+        (2.3)      X        &= nbsp; 15% =3D   .345

Exam 3:        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   B+        (2.3)      X        &= nbsp; 15% =3D .495

Semester Grade:        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p; Total =3D        =             =   2.71 ( =3D B-)

LATE ASSIGNMENTS

All assignments f= or the course will be announced sufficiently in advance to allow for adequate preparation and timely completion, but you will need to manage your time efficiently. Make-up exam= s will be given only if a serious, compelling, and verifiable cause (such a= s an acute medical emergency) can be demonstrated, and the student has made every reasonable effort to contact the instructor beforehand. Make-up exams will not be g= iven for reasons such as car trouble, work scheduling conflicts, family or relationship crises, or non-school related travel plans. All assignments should be submitte= d in class, on their scheduled due dates. All other late assignments may be submitted within one class meeting= for a one letter-grade penalty. Assignments will not be accepted two class meetings beyond th= eir due date.

WRITING STYL= E

All written assignments should be typed, double-spaced a= nd proof-read for typographical and spelling errors. You should check your paper carefu= lly for errors in syntax and grammar. You will be graded on the quality of your writing as well as the substance of your ideas. A complete reference must be provided whenever you refer to the words, ideas, data= , or other information from a published source. All = direct quotations must be in quotation marks with a page number (for Websites, the paragraph number). Failure to provide proper references constitut= es an act of plagiarism.

STYLE= MANUAL

Papers should conform to American Psychological Association standards, 5th edition= .

STUDENTS= WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

I’m happy to make reasonable accommodations for any student with special needs. A student mak= ing such a request should inform me during the first week of classes about any disability or special need that may require specific arrangements/accommodations related to attending class sessions, completing course assignments, writing papers or quizzes/tests/examinations. P= lease note that for special arrangements to be made, a student with disabilities = must register with the Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS), located in UH-101 and at (657-278-3112).

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Academic dishonesty includes such things as cheating, inventing false information or citations, plagiarism, and helping another student engage in academic dishonesty. It usually involves an attempt by a student to show a possession of a level of knowledge or skill which he/she in fact does not possess. Cheating is defin= ed as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for work by the use = of any dishonest, deceptive, fraudulent, or unauthorized means. Plagiarism is defined as the act of taking the work of another and offering it as oneR= 17;s own without giving proper credit to that source. Additional information on = this policy is available from University Policy Statement 300.021, at http://www/f= ullerton.edu/senate