3
Jan Marontate Spring 2010
School of Communication Simon Fraser University
CMNS 801-5: Design and Methodology in Communication Research
Handout 3: Exercises
Exercise 1:
Prepare a short (2-3 pages maximum) proposal of a methodological strategy for an empirical research project related to a topic of interest (This could be your thesis or dissertation topic.) See the diagram on page 2 for a general outline of the elements to include in your proposal).
Schedule:
-oral presentation of Weeks 2 -3 (in class)
-written report of entire exercise in Week 3 (before class)
Here is a general description (in non-technical terms) of essential features you should try to cover in your description of the proposed methodological strategy:
1. Identify an important issue that you wish to observe, understand or solve.
2. Phrase this issue as a research question. Explain why it is interesting to you and briefly indicate its relevance to broader constituencies (publics, stakeholders, scholars).
3. Offer two or three plausible hypotheses about the question you pose or state what you hope to learn or understand.
4. What would be the ideal way(s) to gather the information you need to understand your topic or test your hypotheses? Are there opportunities or challenges that might make it necessary or advisable to develop an alternative way of studying your topic? Discuss a specific method that might be appropriate, feasible or practical for collecting information on your topic given the research context in which you will be working.
5. Discuss your rationale for identifying what or who could be studied to gather information to test your hypothesis or seek evidence to enhance your understanding. Will you select one case, a few cases, or many similar cases to study? (The cases may be artifacts, individuals, organizations, or institutions.) How will you do this? What sampling rationale or technique for accessing information about the cases could you use?)
6. Identify a few variables or indicators that you might observe:
a. Provide an abstract definition of the variables or indicators. What theoretical concepts do these variables represent?
b. Provide an operational definition. How might you actually observe or measure the concepts empirically?
7. Briefly discuss your plans for analyzing the information you gather.
A schematic representation of empirical research processes in social scientific research
Source: Babbie, E. (1995) The Practice of Social Research. Irwin p. 101.
Exercise 2: Methodological Critique
The goal of this exercise is to promote reflection on the methods and methodological strategies used by researchers who have conducted empirical research on a topic or issue related to your research interests. This is intended to encourage you to familiarize yourself with debates about methods in your specific research area.
Prepare a two-page critique or critical analysis of one of the following
· The methodological strategy or specific methods reported in an article or book on a topic relevant to your research interests.
· A specific measure (instrument or tool) used to collect empirical information by researchers or analysts in your research area, or a tool which you plan to use in your research (ex. an instrument or indicators used to measure website popularity or evaluation criteria used in specific types of programs for youth at risk).
· A methodological debate related to research methods in an area of interest for your research. (This may be a debate about a specific study or research strategy.)