Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - CMNS 202 D100

Design and Method in Qualitative Communication Research (4)

Class Number: 1520

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Nine CMNS units with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to interpretive approaches in communication inquiry. Topics include ethics, paradigms, conceptualizing the research process, documentary research, historical methods, discourse or textual analysis, ethnographic research, and performative research. Students with credit for CMNS 262 may not take CMNS 202 for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Often when students think of research and data, they think of quantitative methods. However, qualitative approaches also have a strong tradition in the social sciences. Qualitative methods provide insight into the inner workings of social phenomena; in other words, they can help us understand how things work and why things are the way they are. This course aims to equip students with the necessary training to conduct qualitative communication research. Students will be introduced to qualitative research paradigms, ethical considerations, and best practices. Throughout the semester, students will learn various methods, including interviewing, textual and visual analysis, ethnography, and digital methods. Students will work together in groups to design and conduct their own qualitative research project. The skills acquired in this course will be foundational for students’ future research in communication and media studies.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

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

  • Demonstrate an understanding of qualitative research project design;
  • Reflect on the researcher’s role and understand principles of ethical research;
  • Develop and conduct, in groups, an original qualitative research project;
  • Interpret and analyze qualitative research data; and
  • Strengthen their analytical thinking, presentation, and writing skills.

Grading

  • Class Participation 10%
  • Tutorial Participation 10%
  • Group Research Project Proposal 10%
  • Research Lab Assignments (3 x 5%) 15%
  • Group Research Presentation 25%
  • Individual Final Reflection 30%

NOTES:

The School expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relationship to established university-wide practices. In addition, the School will follow Policy S10.01 with respect to Academic Integrity, and Policies S10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 with regard to Student Discipline. For further information visit: www.sfu.ca/policies/Students/index.html

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be available as PDFs on Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.