SM7088 - Researching Media and Communications (2014/15)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2014/15 | ||||||||||||
| Module status | DELETED (This module is no longer running) | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Researching Media and Communications | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 20 | ||||||||||||
| School | Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 180 | ||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2014/15(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
This research module is in two blocks: 1. This block deals with critical questions about the production of knowledge in the fields of media and mass communications and equips the student with the intellectual framework to produce rigorous and valid research proposal. 2. Block two focuses on specific issues raised by different methodological approaches, which enables students to employ research methods appropriate to their research topic.
Prior learning requirements
None
Module aims
The module aims are:
To examine philosophical questions about the production of knowledge in the media and mass communications fields;
To facilitate students’ ability to use appropriate research methods;
To develop awareness of the practical, methodological and ethical issues associated with research.
Syllabus
This module equips students with theoretical and practical approaches to mass communications research. This module is divided onto two blocks which offer different perspectives on research.
Block One introduces the history of media and mass communications research as well as issues such as epistemology, the role of theory and research ethics
Block Two introduces students to specific research methods in detail, dealing with some of the issues raised by the use of particular methods and illustrating these by way of case studies of research projects using different methods relevant to research in media and mass communications.
Learning and teaching
Teaching methods include formal lectures, tutorials, seminar discussions and screenings. Students will be expected to attend formal lectures and take notes; read from primary sources as well as secondary sources and comment upon their reading. Students will be expected to co-operate during group work, conduct independent research and participate in small group and large group discussions with fellow students. Seminars will frequently involve presentations and student-led activities.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate published academic research;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the epistemological, methodological and practical issues relating to research in this field;
3. Design a valid and rigorous research proposal.
Assessment strategy
1. Critical report of 2,000 words evaluating the presentation of a piece of academic report by the press, radio or television in comparison with the original published academic research (weighting 40%). This assessment will test learning outcomes 1 and 2.
2. A research proposal of 3,000 words (weighting 60%). This assessment will test learning outcomes 1 and 3.
Students may pass on aggregate.
Bibliography
Altheide D (1996) Qualitative Media Analysis, Sage.
Babbie, E. (2008) The Basics of Social Research. Fourth Edn. Belmont CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
Bertrand, I. and Hughes, P. (2005) Media Research Methods: Audiences, Institutions, Texts. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Gunter, B. (2000) Media Research Methods. London: Sage.
Hansen A,Cottle S, Negrine R & Newbold C (1998) Mass Communication Research Methods, Macmillan.
Hornig Priest S (1996) Doing Media Research: An Introduction, Sage.
Jensen K and Jankowski N (eds.) (1991), A Handbook of Qualitative Methodologies for Mass Communication Research, Routledge.
Lindlof T (1994) Qualitative Communication Research Methods, Sage.
Wisker, G. (2001) The Postgraduate Research Handbook: Succeed with Your MA, MPhil, EdD and PhD. Basingstoke: Palgrave.