TVR 400 Syllabus, Fall, 2010

Dr. Kintsfather

Office: Rickenbach 205

Phone: 610-683-4497/4492 (secretary)

E-Mail: kintsfat@kutztown.edu

Web Page: http://www.pyrbred.org/tvr/tvr400.html (all lower case)

Hours: M, W 6-7:30 pm, Th 4:30-6:30 pm, or by Arrangement

Course: TVR 400, Electronic Media Research

Description: An introduction to research terminology and methods, including basic statistical procedures. Emphasis is placed on developing the student's ability to identify appropriate areas for research and to formulate specific research questions. Attention is also given both to the structure of the electronic media industry and to the role research efforts play in the functioning of that industry. Various research tools and techniques are applied to current issues in electronic media as an introduction to applied research in the field, a foundation for other courses and to help graduate students with the foundations of thesis research.

Objectives. Upon completion of the course the student will:

a. Have a basic understanding of modern electronic media, their history and operations,
b. Have a basic understanding of standard research terminology and procedures,
c. Be able to use bibliographic and empirical research techniques adequate to comprehend and evaluate the current literature in the discipline,
d. Be able to distinguish among the various methods used in electronic media research, with an understanding of their specific applications,
e. Be able to define a research problem and select appropriate techniques for investigating it.
f. Additionally, graduate students will be able to develop a prospectus to meet department guidelines for the thesis project.

Required Texts: Mass Media Research, 8th ed. by Wimmer and Dominick

APA Publication Manual, 6th ed.

Grading: The course grade will be based upon the following- 

               NIH Human Subjects Research Certification    20%
               Statistics Quiz                              20%
               Research Project                             30%
               Presentation                                 10%
               Final Exam                                   20%

Tentative Course Schedule and Assignments:

DATE     TOPIC AND ASSIGNMENT


Sep  2   Course introduction, the research process, W&D 1-3
     9   Defining the problem, structuring the thesis, W&D 14-17 (skim for interests)
    16   Library Research
    23   Basic statistics & measurement, W&D 2 & 10, CHAPTER 1 DUE
    30   Using statistics, W&D 11-12

Oct  7   Introduction to computer-aided data analysis with SPSS, W&D 8-9 
    14   Sampling and research designs, W&D 4 & 7, CHAPTER 2 DUE
    21   Content analysis, W&D 6 
    28   Analyze data from content analysis

Nov  4   Individual conferences, CHAPTER 3 DUE
    11   Individual conferences
    18   Data analysis, APA style lab, and review for Statistics Quiz

Dec  2   STATISTICS QUIZ
     9   CHAPTER 4 DUE, PRESENTATIONS, TAKE-HOME FINAL EXAM

Dec 16   RESEARCH PROJECT and EXAM DUE

Note: Bold face denotes graded activities. "Chapters due" relates to each student's individual research project. While some latitude is allowed on the completion schedule for the chapters of the individual research papers, the final paper must be submitted by Dec. 16th!

NOTE: material in green reflects schedule changes made 10/28.




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