6 ECTS credits
164 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 3021526DNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (D) Master - preliminary level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Communication Sciences
Educational team
Wendy Van Den Broeck (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
26 contact hours Lecture
18 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
120 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the research methods that are applied in social sciences and to guide students towards the set-up, execution, analysis and reporting of an empirical social scientific study.

The first part of the course focuses on the practice of research and covers the following main topics:

1:  Research paradigms and research process

2:  Research quality parameters

3:  Research plan and literature review

4:  Ethics in research and plagiarism 

5:  Reporting research and critical reflection

The second part of the course discusses sampling and the main research methods in communication studies, including qualitative research methods, quantitative research methods, experiments, content analysis, case study and mixed methods.

The course provides the students with the necessary research skills to set up and execute their master thesis research. For the assignments, students will preferably work on the topic of their master thesis.

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Powerpoints slides + articles and texts, Canvas
Handbook (Recommended) : Introducing communication research, Paths of inquiry, Treadwell, D., 3de, Thousand Oaks, Sage, 9781483379418, 2017
Additional info

The course consists of lectures (HOC) and different individual assignments.

Teaching Methods

- Lecture: collective contact-dependent moments during which the lecturer engages with learning materials
- Seminar, Exercises or Practicals (Practical): collective or individual contact-dependent moments during which the students are guided to actively engage with learning materials in the form of assignments
- Independent or External Form of Study (Self): written individual assignments

 Indicative load for this course:

  • Lectures: 26 hours 
  • Practical: 18 hours exercises or practicals in class + Feedback on assignments
  • SELF: 120 hours independent form of study (assignments + course preparation)
Learning Outcomes

General competences

This course contributes to the following general learning results of the master in communication studies:

  • Students show an open and constructive attitude whilst having respect for other views and beliefs.
  • Students demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit, responsibility, communicative attitude, creativity and the ability to plan, coordinate, supervise and advise. The acquired skills enable the graduates to become independent, responsible, inquiring and reflective professionals.
  • Students are competent to – partly independent, partly guided – train specific and topical research methods within a particular field of study and apply these methods independently in concrete research situations.
  • Students are able to communicate their point of view in a clear and scientific-grounded argumentation to various target groups. 

The course addresses the following specific learning outcomes:

  • Explain the theoretical and epistemological foundations/differences between research paradigms
  • Understand + execute the different steps of the research process, including formulating research questions and finding and reviewing literature.
  • Critically evaluate the research of others.
  • Assess the advantages and disadvantages of the discussed research methods.
  • Explain the ethical aspects of conducting research.
  • Design and conduct a research study addressing a specific research question.
  • Write academically formatted and cited research papers. 

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Practical Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Practical Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Multiple Written Assignments with a relative weight of 100 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

During the semester, students will work on different written assignments, related to the course content. These intermediate assignments will count for 50% of the total score for this class. As a final assignment, students will write a methodological paper, also counting for 50% of the course grade. 

All assignments are mandatory, meaning that every assignment (intermediate and final) needs to be submitted in order to be able to pass the course. 

A detailed description of all assignments and the methodological paper will be provided  during the course and on the learning platform Canvas.

The assignments will be uploaded by the students before the foreseen deadline on the online learning platform Canvas. Late submission will result in a reduction of points for that assignment. Late submission within 24 hours of the deadline (-1), late submission between 24-72 hours after the deadline (-2), later dan 72 hours (-4).

The exam score is the total of all scores on the individual assignments. Intermediate feedback on the assignments is provided via Canvas.

Assignment scores of at least 10/20 will be transferred to second session. Also in second session, all intermediate and final assignments need to be submitted to be able to pass the course. 

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Preparatory Programme Master of Science in Communication Studies: Default track