MDIA 2302 - Researching Media

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2023

Research is central to all media activity, whether carried out in commercial, public or academic contexts. This course aims to bring together the theoretical and practical elements of research in the media. Students will be exposed to various research methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative, as they affect the changing media landscape and its evaluation. Students will be exposed to different theoretical paradigms of media research, analysis of competing frameworks for defining the media as object of study, and to debate on issues such as research ethics, intellectual property, effective communication of research findings and cultural sensitivity, among others.

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Course Details

Course Code	MDIA 2302
Course	Researching Media
Coordinating Unit	Media
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study, including 3 units of MDIA Level I courses
Incompatible	MDIA 2204
Assessment	2 Online Quizzes, First Assignment, Second Assignment, Participation and attendance.

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr John Budarick

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1	Demonstrate knowledge of research literacy
2	Demonstrate a sound knowledge of basic research methods
3	Demonstrate an understanding of the significant risk and ethical issues raised by the conduct of media research
4	Demonstrate a working knowledge of the theories and frameworks through which media are analysed and understood
5	Demonstrate familiarity with research into media audiences and users

6	Develop an understanding of media industries and institutions, particularly the role that research plays within the knowledge economy and future career development
7	Develop a high level of written and oral communication skills

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	2,3,4,5,6
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	3,4,6,7
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	1,2,3,5,6,7
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Required readings for this course will be digitised and supplied through the My Uni portal.

Recommended Resources

The following textbooks are recommended, but there are many more available:
· Anderson, James A. 2012, Media Research Methods: Understanding Metric and Interpretive Approaches, Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE [A complex and challenging read!]
· Berger, Arthur A. 2011, Media and Communication Research Methods, 2nd ed., Los Angeles: SAGE Publications [New edition of a classic, which is quite readable]
· Jensen, Klaus (ed.) 2012, A Handbook of Media and Communication Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Methodologies, 2nd ed., New York: Routledge [An excellent book with an emphasis on use of theory in research]
· Priest, Susanna H. 2010, Doing Media Research: An Introduction, 2nd ed., London: SAGE [Good on the total process of research]
· Webster, James G., Phalen, Patricia F. and Lichty, Lawrence W. 2006, Ratings Analysis: The Theory and Practice of Audience Research, 3rd ed., Mahwah, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates [Focused on only one area, but it’s important and this is comprehensive]
· Weerakkody, Niranjala D. 2008, Research Methods for Media and Communication, Melbourne: Oxford University Press [One of the few Australian media research texts and covers all the basics in accessible style]
· Wimmer, Roger D. and Dominick, Joseph R. 2006, Mass Media Research: An Introduction, 8th ed., Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth [A very well established and respected US textbook]

Online Learning

This course makes extensive use of MyUni and some external websites. All assignments are submitted via MyUni using a combination of on-line tests and TurnItIn.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

The course consists of a 1-hour lecture and a 2-hour tutorial delivered weekly.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

1 hour weekly lecture
2 hour weekly tutorials
3-6 hours weekly tutorial preparation, completion of course readings

Learning Activities Summary

Weeks 1&2 - Understanding thr Research process
Weeks 3-6- Qualitative research methods
Week 7 - Research ethics
Weeks 8-10- Quantitatvie research methods
Week 11 - Presenting research
Week 12 - Course summary (no tutorials)

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Due	Weighting	Learning Outcome
2 Online Quizzes			20% (2 x 10%)
First Assignment			30%;1500 words
Second Assignment			40% 1750-2000 words
Participation and Attendance			10%

Assessment Related Requirements

Attend at least 80% of tutorials and participate in activities.

Assessment Detail

Assignament 1 - Students will provide a summary of existing media research
Assignment 2 - Students will produce a research proposal
Quz 1 & 2 - will be based on course content in lectures and readings

Submission

All written assessment is to be submitted using Turnitin.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator