Communication Research
- Social Sciences
- 700 level
- 3 credit units
- 284 pages
- 24 units
This course introduces students to data gathering methods in Journalism and Mass Communication. It improves skills for analyzing data and prepares students for critical evaluation of journalistic writing. The course treats fundamental principles for gathering data, both for qualitative and quantitative research modes. It examines areas of Communication research from which students may readily access interesting research topics. It is developed for Nigerian students, hence, the sample presented and examples used are typically Nigerian in orientation and setting.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 30 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of JLS714, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
JLS714 · Unit 5: Media Effects Research
Do not hesitate to contact your tutor if you need help. Contact your tutor if: you do not understand any part of the study units or the assigned readings you have difficulty with the exercises you have a question or problem with an assignment or with your tutor’s comments on an assignment or with the grading of an assignment.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the fundamental principles of communication research.
- Apply various research methods to investigate communication phenomena.
- Analyze and interpret data using appropriate statistical techniques.
- Develop a research proposal for a communication research project.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies and campaigns.
What it prepares you for
- Media Researcher
- Public Relations Specialist
- Advertising Executive
- Market Research Analyst
- Communication Consultant
- Media Industry
- Public Relations Agencies
- Advertising Agencies
- Market Research Firms
- Government Communication Departments
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: The Elements of Research
Unit 2: Variables
Understanding different types of variables and their relationships requires careful attention to detail and logical reasoning.
- Module 3: Major Communication Research Methods
Unit 1: Experimental Research
Experimental research requires understanding of control groups, manipulation of variables, and causality, which can be challenging.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 34 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1: The Meaning of Research and the Scientific Method · 2 hours
Define research and the scientific method.. Discuss the nature and scope of media research.. Explain the difference between scientific method and other methods of knowledge.. Outline the scientific procedure..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction
Unit 2: Application of the Scientific Principles to Social Phenomena · 2 hours
Explain social phenomena and the principles of science.. Discuss the application of the principles of science to social phenomena.. Understand how science demands evidence from social phenomena.. Explain how science is a blend of logic and imagination of social phenomena..
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction
Unit 3: Characteristics of Research and the Development of Mass Media Research · 2 hours
Identify the characteristics of research.. Explain what the characteristics of research are.. Present an overview of the development of media research.. Discuss the nature of media research today..
- Week 4Module 1: Introduction
Unit 4: Classification of Research · 2 hours
Identify the types and methods of research used in communication studies.. Determine the content and context of various research approaches.. Adapt research approaches for use in your own research..
- Week 5Module 2: The Elements of Research
Unit 1: Concepts, Constructs, Hypotheses/Research Questions and Instrumentation · 2 hours
Define and explain concepts and constructs.. Discuss the differences between research questions and hypotheses.. Understand the advantages and characteristics of hypotheses.. Explain the types of hypotheses and instrumentation..
- Week 6Module 2: The Elements of Research
Unit 2: Variables · 2 hours
Understand the definition and meaning of variables.. Identify the major classifications of variables.. Explain other categories of variables.. Define variables operationally..
- Week 7Module 2: The Elements of Research
Unit 3: Measurement, Scales and Indexes · 2 hours
Understand the definitions and meaning of measurement.. Identify what is measured in communication research.. Explain the levels of measurement.. Discuss scales and indexes..
- Week 8Module 3: Major Communication Research Methods
Unit 1: Experimental Research · 2 hours
Define experimental research.. Explain the purpose of experimental research.. Identify the experimental research designs.. Understand the structure of an experiment..
- Week 9Module 3: Major Communication Research Methods
Unit 2: Survey Research · 2 hours
Define the survey research method.. Explain the purpose of survey research.. Discuss descriptive and analytical surveys.. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of surveys..
- Week 10Module 3: Major Communication Research Methods
Unit 3: Content Analysis · 2 hours
Define content analysis.. Explain the origin of content analysis.. Discuss the procedure of content analysis.. Understand the key procedural concepts of content analysis..
Unit 4: Case study · 2 hours
Understand the meaning of case study.. Identify the origin of case study.. Explain the characteristics of case study research.. Discuss the purposes of case study..
Unit 5: Observational Research · 2 hours
Understand the meaning of observational research.. Explain the types of observational research.. Discuss the procedure of observational research.. Understand the interpretation of observational research..
- Week 11Module 4: Sampling
Unit 1: Meaning and Types of Sampling · 2 hours
Understand the meaning of sampling.. Identify the reasons for sampling.. Discuss the sampling techniques.. Design a sampling frame..
- Week 12Module 4: Sampling
Unit 2: Population and Sample · 2 hours
Define key terms such as population, sample, probability, and non-probability techniques.. Differentiate between probability and non-probability samples.. Identify probability and non-probability samples.. List other types of sampling techniques..
Unit 3: Sample Size and Sampling Error · 2 hours
Identify a truly representative sample.. Determine how large a given research sample should be.. Define sampling error.. Identify the causes of sampling error..
- Week 13Module 5: The Research Procedure
Unit 1: The Research Proposal · 2 hours
Explain the meaning of the research proposal.. Understand the essential parts of the research proposal.. Learn how to select a researchable topic.. Understand the components of each chapter in the research proposal..
Unit 2: Data Analysis in Communication Research · 2 hours
Understand the meaning of data.. Identify the types of data.. Explain the sources of data.. Discuss the measurement of data..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all module objectives and key terms.
- Practice applying different research methods to hypothetical scenarios.
- Focus on understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each research method.
- Create summaries of key theories and concepts.
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and self-assessment exercises.
- Practice statistical calculations and data interpretation.
- Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 research methods.
- Study examples of research proposals and reports.
- Allocate study time evenly across all modules.
- Prioritize understanding of core concepts over memorization of details.
Questions students ask about this course
What is JLS714 about?
This course introduces students to data gathering methods in Journalism and Mass Communication. It improves skills for analyzing data and prepares students for critical evaluation of journalistic writing. The course treats fundamental principles for gathering data, both for qualitative and quantitative research modes. It examines areas of Communication research from which students may readily access interesting research topics. It is developed for Nigerian students, hence, the sample presented and examples used are typically Nigerian in orientation and setting.
How many units does JLS714 have?
JLS714, Communication Research, has 24 units across 6 modules, over 284 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is JLS714?
JLS714 carries 3 credit units, at 700 level in Social Sciences.
Is JLS714 hard?
JLS714 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does JLS714 take to study?
About 30 hours of study, spread across its 24 units.
How is JLS714 assessed?
JLS714 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with JLS714?
Media Researcher, Public Relations Specialist, Advertising Executive, Market Research Analyst and Communication Consultant.