Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Research for Comm Careers (Face-to-Face)

COMM 4000-01

Course: COMM 4000-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: COMM
CRN: 32086

Course Description

The course emphasizes research appropriate for understanding, data gathering and analysis in various communication settings. An emphasis is placed on message analysis, interviewing, surveys, focus groups, content analysis, social marketing methods, and experimental design. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): COMM 3100 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C-

Required Texts

We will not be utilizing a specific textbook for this course, but instead will rely on a variety of materials, which I have assembled for your benefit (all available in PDF form in the "Files" tab ).  You are required to read each item carefully and be prepared to discuss it in class on the appropriate day listed on the course calendar.  There will also be a substantial amount of material covered in class that is not part of your reading requirements. Therefore, I require that you take good notes in order to process the material and ready yourself for assignments and exams.  I also don't do quizzes after each unit, so if you don't stay up on your reading, you may find it difficult to cram as you prepare for the midterm and final exams.  If you read diligently and participate in class discussions, you should do very well in the course.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Understand the basic qualitative and rhetorical approaches to research, including generic criticism, interviewing, focus groups, ethnography, and grounded theory.

Assessment: This objective will be accomplished through class discussions on the various methods, assignments corresponding to individual research methods, and exams designed to assess your comprehension of the material. 

2. Understand some of the basic quantitative approaches to research, including content analysis, survey construction, and experimental design.

Assessment: This objective will be accomplished through class discussions on the different methods, guest lectures, in-class activities, and exams designed to assess student comprehension of the material. 

3.Systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments (inquiry). You break complex topics issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them (analysis).

Assessment You will be able to develop and execute a full study (individually or in teams of two) utilizing a research approach of their choice.  Papers will include a fully developed introduction/rationale, literature review, methods, results, and discussion.

4. Demonstrate an ability to search the databases for academic literature, write correctly in APA style, refrain from unethical acts of plagiarism and AI use, and to construct arguments that are clear and cogent.

Assessment: This objective will be accomplished through smaller in class writing assignments and the final paper.  You will improve the quality of their writing during the course of the semester as they receive ample feedback on each assignment. 

Course Requirements

  • APA Exercise
  • Generic Criticism Paper
  • Generic Criticism Activity (In-Class Assignment)
  • Ground Theory Activity (In-Class Assignment)
  • Grounded Theory Paper
  • SPSS Output Assignment
  • Research Question Activity (In-Class Assignment)
  • Focus Group Activity (In-Class Assignment)
  • Content Analysis Activity (In-Class Assignment)
  • Survey Construction Activity (In-Class Assignment)
  • Midterm Exam
  • Final Exam

Course Outline

Course Topics Addressed:
  • Role of Research in Communication
  • APA Style
  • Research Questions and Hypotheses
  • History of Rhetorical Theory
  • Nature of Rhetoric and Rhetorical Criticism
  • Generic Criticism
  • Introduction to Qualitative Research
  • Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the Ethics of Human Participant Research
  • Ethnography, Participant Observation, and Field Work
  • Focus Group Research
  • Qualitative Interviewing
  • Grounded Theory
  • Validity and Reliability
  • Sampling Procedures for Textual Analysis
  • Sampling Procedures for Human Participant Research
  • Content Analysis
  • Survey Design
  • SPSS Basics
  • Audience Analysis Research

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

You should plan to turn in your work by 11:59 pm on the day it is due.  Late work will receive a non-negotiable 10% grade reduction for each day it is late unless your situation falls under the excused categories of legitimate and documented illness or family emergency.  These situations need to be communicated to me in writing and may require a meeting so we can resolve the situation.  I will be understanding as long as you are honest with me.  Late assignments must be turned in no later than three days after they are due or you will receive a zero.  I will not award "Incomplete" grades in this course, except for a serious medical crisis or other extenuating circumstances that will be judged on a case-by-case basis.  To be eligible for an incomplete you must be passing the course with a C- and should have completed at least 75% of the assignments.

Attendance Policy

I will be taking attendance each day in the course. This is not meant to be purely punitive or to demonstrate a lack of trust in you. I've been teaching long enough to know that the most engaging classes are the ones where students are there and actively participating.  Since our class is not a very big class, I really need you all to help make this a great semester!

Use of AI and Plagiarism

Any use of artificial intelligence software (A.I.), including visual (e.g., Midjourney), textual (e.g., chatGPT), or audio (e.g., voice.ai) to aid on assignments will be considered an infringement of academic integrity. Unless explicitly designated and outlined in assignment instructions, students should avoid using these aids, entirely. You are responsible for the accuracy, fairness, originality, and quality of every word you submit. All faculty have access to Copyleaks which detects plagiarism, including the use of AI software (I will be using that tool this semester for assignment submissions). Consequences for violating this policy are consistent with SUU Policy 6.33 regarding academic integrity, and may include a failing grade in the course, and expulsion from the program.

Classroom Etiquette

The classroom should be an environment where students feel comfortable expressing disagreement with others (including the instructor).  Discussions should always be cordial, questions should be directed without hostility, and students should be able to raise issues without fear of reproach. If I feel that a student is creating a classroom atmosphere detrimental to the learning of other students, I will ask the student to leave and not return without first meeting with me outside of class to discuss the problem.  All students are expected to come to class having read the assigned material and prepared to engage in discussion.  We BOTH share responsibility for making the classroom environment engaging and dynamic.  I promise I will do my part to make class fun and interesting.  Please help contribute to a positive atmosphere in class.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.