Autumn 2011- Spring 2012

MGC 4) Advanced Research Methods in Communication, course code: 770074, 6 ECTS

This course is a part of the international Master's Degree Programme on Media and Global Communication. The language of study and assessment is English.

Target group: Priority is given to students of the Media and Global Communication master’s programme and to master’s level exchange students of the Media and Communication Studies unit. This course is NOT available to undergraduate level exchange students.

Preregistration in WebOodi is required: 6.-12.10.2011.

Pre-course lecture by visiting lecturer professor Anette Markham on internet research methods on September 14, wednesday at 12-15hrs at the university main building, lecture hall XIV.

This lecture is a part of the Advanced Research Methods in Communication course.However, it is open to all students who are interested in the subject. No need to register for the pre-course lecture. The students who are going to take the full course need to register for it in WebOodi. 20 students will be accepted to the course.

Dates: 8.11.-13.12.2011 and 17.1.-21.2.2012
The course lasts for two periods and it is not possible to take it half and half.

Times:

8.11.- 13.12.2011, Tuesdays 12-14
place: Unioninkatu 37, sr 4

17.1. - 21.2.2012, Tuesdays 12-14
place: Unioninkatu 38, B114

Lecturer: Mervi Pantti

Contents

This course is designed to prepare students to undertake their own independent research.  It aims at developing both students’ critical thinking skills and their practical research skills. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to understand the various stages of qualitative research, frame research questions and develop problem statements, make the appropriate choices for particular techniques of data collection and analysis, and know how to apply research methods in practice. Topics covered in lectures include the choice of a research problem, the role of theory in research and the design of research projects. In workshops, students will get acquainted with a range of research tools and approaches commonly used in media and communication studies such as interviewing, focus groups, qualitative textual and visual analysis, and Internet ethnography.

Completion
Participation, weekly readings, individual and group assignments, and research report

Study material and literature
Class readings will be announced at least one week prior to the beginning of the course