With the unbundling of Mass Communication programme in Nigeria, the face of communication education in the country has changed. The programme has transited into a full college/faculty while individual courses have adapted to the change. While several new courses now exist in the seven new departments, some of the courses you used to know before have also taken a new shape. We have done a thorough research on what these courses offer in universities across the world; and we have provided prototype syllabus for students to study ahead. This is also to assist lecturers who might be facing new challenges with several new courses to have an idea of what the syllabus of each course offers.
COURSE COMPACT
Faculty: Communication and Media Studies Department: Journalism & Media Studies
Course Code: CMS 403 Unit(s): 2 Semester: First
Course Title: Data Analysis in Communication Research
Lecturer: Programme: B.Sc.
(A). BRIEF OVERVIEW OF COURSE
This course is designed to introduce students to data analysis techniques, particularly the use of tables, graphs and other statistical techniques and procedures in communication research. Students are taught how to present and interpret data, using these techniques. It further exposes students to important concepts of research design, data collection, statistical and interpretative analysis, and final report presentation. The course also introduces students to basic data analysis software – SPSS – and how to interpret data using this software. At the end of this course, students would have learned what data means in research, how to collect, present, and interpret data using various techniques and approaches.
(B). COURSE OBJECTIVES/GOALS
By the end of this course, students will have learned:
- Meaning of key concepts (research, communication research, data)
- Kinds of data in communication research
- Data presentation and analysis techniques
- Use of SPSS data analysis software
- Interpretation of data
- Descriptive and inferential statistics
(C). METHOD OF LECTURE DELIVERY
- Lectures
- Quizzes
- Assignments
- Practical Classroom Sessions
(D). COURSE OUTLINE
1. Introduction
Definition of research
Communication research explained
Kinds of research
Importance of research
Course overview
2. Data Presentation and Analysis in Research
Meaning of data in research
Kinds of data (primary, secondary)
Data collection method
Data gathering methods
Instruments of data gathering
Gathering data through fieldwork
Data presentation techniques
Data analysis techniques
Data interpretation (interpreting qualitative and quantitative data)
3. Qualitative Data Emphasized
Understanding qualitative data
Kinds of qualitative data
Collection of qualitative data
Presentation and Analysis Techniques
4. Quantitative Data Emphasized
Understanding quantitative data
Kinds of quantitative data
Collection of qualitative data
Presentation and Analysis Techniques
Choosing a good instrument
Interval and Ratio Scales
5. Introduction to Applied Statistics
Identifying the dependent and independent variables
Confidence levels
6. Descriptive Statistics
Summarizing and describing a collection of data
Univariate and bivariate analysis
Mean, mode and standard deviation
Percentages and Ratios
Histograms
Identifying randomness and uncertainty in data
7. Inferential Statistics
Drawing inference from data
Modeling assumptions
Identifying Patterns
Regression analysis
T-test
Analysis of Variance
Correlations
Chi-square
8. Types of Data Measurement Scales
What is measurement scale?
Characteristics of measurement scale
Types of data measurement scale (Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio)
9. Introduction to Mixed Methods Research
What is mixed method?
Advantages
Presenting and analyzing data in mixed method research
10. Introduction to SPSS Data Analysis Software
Meaning of SPSS
Basic functions of SPSS (Data handling and manipulation, Basic statistics and summarization, Significance testing, Inferential statistics, Others)
How SPSS works
Understanding and Interpreting data using SPSS
11. Class Activities
Practical exercises
(E). RECOMMENDED TEXTS
Osuala, C. E. (1987). Introduction to Research Method. Onitsha: Africana Fep Publishers.
Nwodu L.C. (2007). Research in communication and other behavioural sciences: Principles,
methods and issues. Enugu: Rhyce Kerex Publishers.
Owuamalam, E. (2012). Data analysis and research project writing: A practical approach. Owerri: Top Class agencies Ltd.
(F). IMPORTANT LINKS
Understanding Qualitative, Quantitative, Attribute, Discrete, and Continuous Data Types
Quantitative Data: Definition, Types, Analysis & Examples
A Guide To The Methods, Benefits & Problems of The Interpretation of Data
Types of Data & Measurement Scales: Nominal, Ordinal, Interval and Ratio
Introduction to SPSS Statistics
7 Types of Data Measurement Scale in Research
Characteristics of Measurement Scale
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Journalism & Media Studies Courses: Intro to Communication I (CMS 101)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Journalism & Media Studies Courses: Introduction To Communication II (CMS 102)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Journalism & Media Studies Courses: History of Nigerian Media (CMS 103)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Journalism & Media Studies Courses: Traditional African Communication Systems (CMS 105)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Journalism & Media Studies Courses: Editing & Graphics of Communication (CMS 203)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Journalism & Media Studies Courses: Foundations of Communication Research (CMS 205)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Journalism & Media Studies Courses: Introduction To Communication II (CMS 102)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Journalism & Media Studies Courses: Media and Information Literacy (CMS 209)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Journalism & Media Studies Courses: Media Economics and Sustainability (CMS 405)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Journalism & Media Studies Courses: Media Law (CMS 401)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Journalism & Media Studies Courses: Communication for Development (CMS 406)