1

Assignment 6 COMM 604 Socha Research Proposal [Abbreviated Version] This assignment asks you to develop your own proposal for a communication research study of interest to you. This exercise is similar to what you will submit when you are preparing your MA-LSDC Thesis/Planning Project Sheet. Here are the step-by-step directions:

1. Select a communication topic that interests you. Note: If it is not about messages, it is not a communication study. [CH1]

2. Use the Communication & Mass Media Complete database to locate current research about the topic. Think about key terms that are needed. [CH 4]

3. Identify FIVE academic journal-published or academic book-published studies that are most helpful to you in understanding the topic.

4. Review those five studies and record the citation information. 5. Pose a new RQ about the topic or pose a new H about the topic [RQ/H/Purpose] 6. Develop a research-methods plan to address the RQ or test the H:

a. From whom will you collect data (Sample)? [CH12] b. How will their rights be protected? [IRB CH3] c. What method will you use to collect data (Data Collection)? [CH9, 10, 11,

Appendix A] d. How will you analyze your data (Data Analysis)? [CH15, 16, 17, 18, 19]

7. Write up your proposal in an APA paper not longer than 7 pages: a. Title page b. 1-page APA Heading: Introduction c. 2-pages APA Heading: Abbreviated Literature Review d. 1-page APA Heading: Research Questions/Hypotheses/Purposes e. 3-pages APA Heading: Methods

APA Sub-headings: Sample, Data Collection, Data Analysis. f. References

Assessment:

1. APA-formatting accurate 2. APA-citations correctly written 3. Clear introduction to the topic [1-page] 4. Clear and concise summary of five studies [2-pages] 5. RQ or H or Purpose is clear and researchable [1-page] 6. Sample (inclusive, appropriate to topic, follows guidelines, IRB regs considered) 7. Data collection is clear and follows guidelines 8. Data analysis is clear and follows guidelines