Research Methods and Sources in Communication
Code: 105014 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2501928 Audiovisual Communication | OB | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Pedro Manuel Molina Rodríguez-Navas
- Email:
- pedro.molina@uab.cat
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
No comments
Objectives and Contextualisation
The objective of Reserach Methods and Sources in Communication is that students obtain the knowledge and skills they need to develop a reserch.
The main objective is to help students to:
a) Face up (and evaluate) a scientific research in the field of communication.
b) Develop critical and self-critical ability to analyse communcative practices.
Learning Outcomes
- SM01 (Skill) To assess any kind of source or document that is useful for creating media products.
- SM01 (Skill) To assess any kind of source or document that is useful for creating media products.
Content
Introduction: scientific activity and communication
- General characteristics of the scientific method (basic and applied).
- Thematic sections and communication: professional activity (production), legislation, audiovisual products (content analysis), and audiences (reception).
- Types and main lines of general research: social research and content analysis.
- Main sources in communication: academia, institutions, and the economic sector.
Stages of the scientific process
- Subject of study and context (What do we want to know? Why does it important?).
- Developing theoretical framework (What do we know about that? Theories and Background).
- Developing methodological strategies/Fieldwork Planning (How can we get to know it? Information obtained).
- Descriptive analysis of the results (what do we know after doing the fieldwork?).
- Interpretative analysis of the results (conclusions).
Basic concepts in scientific methodology
- How to elaborate theoretical framework, theories, and epistemology.
- Hypothesis and questions.
- Effects of variables (Typology).
- Univers / Sample - Corpus / Case Study.
Social Research (uses, consumption, reception, public opinion,...)
- Qualitative Methodology: Ethnographic observation, Digital ethnographic, focus group, interviewing.
- Quantitative Methodology: Survey and questionnaires.
- Triangulation: Qualitative and Quantitative Research.
Content Analysis (speeches, representations, stereotypes,...)
- Qualitative Methodology: Languages and narratives.
- Quantitative Methodology: Big Data.
- Triangulation: Qualitative and Quantitative Research.
Research Trends in Catalonia and Spain
- Main lines of research in the international context.
- Research Centers.
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Discussion seminars and debat | 18 | 0.72 | |
| Laboratory practical | 15 | 0.6 | |
| Master Classes | 15 | 0.6 | |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Custom tracking | 5 | 0.2 | |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Laboratory practical preparation | 15 | 0.6 | |
| Reading and synthesis of scientific documents | 40 | 1.6 |
The development of the subject includes three types of activities:
Directed activities
- Master Classes: basic concepts.
- Discussion seminars and debate: The objective is to deepen the basic concepts through individual analysis and group reflection.
- Laboratory Practical: The objective is to deepen basic concepts through the design of an own research project (group project).
Supervised activities
- Personal interviews to check the evolution of learning and to help students
Autonomous activities
-The students will have to make the readings indicated as obligatory and all the activities planned for the correct development of seminars, laboratory practices, and written exams.
The calendar will be available on the first day of class. Students will find all information on the Virtual Campus: the description of the activities, teaching materials, and any necessary information for the proper follow-up of the subject.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice (research projecte design) | 40% | 15 | 0.6 | SM01 |
| Seminars (preparation and participation) | 40% | 18 | 0.72 | SM01 |
| Written exam | 20% | 9 | 0.36 |
The subject will be evaluated from different procedures (the final grade will be the sum of all the scores):
- Written exam: 20% in the final grade. It can be repeated.
- Practice (research project design/group project: 40% in the final grade)
- Seminars (preparation and participation: 40% in the final grade). It can be repeated.
Students will be entitled to the revaluation of the subject. They should present a minimum of activities that equals two-thirds of the total grading. To have access to revaluation, the previous grades should be 3,5, at least.
The activity that is excluded from the revaluation process is the research project design.
Bibliography
- Eiroa, M. y Barranquero, A. (2017). Metodos de investigacion en la comunicacion y sus medios. Madrid: Editorial Síntesis.
- Jensen, Klaus B. i Jankowski, Nicholas V. (1993). Métodos cualitativos de investigación en comunicación de masas. Barcelona: Bosch
- Medina, Alfons i Busquet, Jordi (2019). La recerca en comunicació. Barcelona: UOC
- Soriano, Jaume (2007). L'ofici de comunicòleg: métodes per investigar la comunicació. Barcelona: Eumo
Further reading:
- Tuhiwai Smith, Linda (2017). A descolonizar las metodologías. Investigación y pueblos indígenas. Tafalla: Txalaparta.
- Eguizabal, Raúl(2015). Metodologías I. Madrid: Fragua
- Eguizabal, Raúl (2016). Metodologías II. Madrid: Fragua
- Casas, Jordi; Nin, Jordi; Julbe, Francesc (2019). Big Data. Análisis de datos en entornos masivos. Barcelona: UOC [https://cataleg.uab.cat/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2085336?lang=cat]
- Igartua, Juan José (2006). Métodos cuantitativos de investigación en comunicación. Barcelona: Bosch
Software
Not necessary
Language list
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 41 | Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 42 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 43 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM) Seminars | 41 | Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM) Seminars | 42 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM) Seminars | 43 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 4 | Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |