CCN203 Communication Research and Problem Solving

Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 05A 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal (Start Date: 22 Apr 2024)

Overview

This foundational unit introduces traditional and emerging approaches to problem-solving and the design of impactful and rigorous research projects relevant to the digital communication field. You will develop a project proposal, demonstrate awareness of ethical research practice, and plan for your capstone project. As a communication professional, you will frequently be called upon to undertake research projects and generate innovative solutions to complex problems. This unit provides you with a strong basis that you will then implement in the capstone project units: CCN301 Digital Communication Project 1 or CCN302 Digital Communication Project 2 and CCN303 Digital Communication Project 3.

Note: Students in the Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication should undertake this unit if they intend to articulate into the Master of Digital Communication and commence their Digital Communication Project in the following semester.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Select appropriate research method/s relevant to undertaking a specific communication research project.
2. Demonstrate critical awareness of a contemporary problem and propose problem-solving techniques for a project.
3. Craft a robust research question/s to address a specific problem.
4. Plan and write a research proposal for a project.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit is taught via a blended approach that combines elements of online delivery and face-to-face and may include intensive delivery. Face-to-face learning activities may include lectures and tutorials supported by additional online activities and materials. It will be facilitated by a unit coordinator using a flipped learning approach. This approach requires you to complete online activities independently, prior to attending the face-to-face classes conducted in collaborative learning spaces. Indicative learning experiences in this unit may include:

• Participating in class/online tutorial discussions
• Attending lectures
• Viewing mini-lecture videos on key concepts
• Listening to podcasts
• Completing problem solving challenges
• Reading book chapters and scholarly articles
• Analysing of research proposals
• Evaluating research methodologies and their appropriateness for communication research
• Pitching your research project idea
• Giving and receiving peer feedback
• Writing research proposals
• Creating research plans
• Collaborating with peers.

Feedback opportunities from members of the teaching team and your peers will be integrated into the unit as outlined in the Feedback to students section of this unit outline.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive feedback on your learning in a variety of ways, including:

• Informal formative feedback will be provided via pre-workshop and/or in workshop quizzes, peer feedback and through individual or whole of class feedback in online or face-to-face class discussions, the debriefing of learning activities or via comments in online communities.
• Formal written or recorded feedback will be received on both formative and summative assessment tasks via the Canvas Assignment tool, in addition to the grade on the Criterion Reference Assessment sheet.

Feedback on your formative assessment task will be received prior to the submission of your summative assessment task.

Assessment

Overview

You will be required to complete two assessment items during this unit: A problem definition presentation and a research project proposal. These assessment items will measure your ability to identify and solve problems by applying relevant research methods and research design principles and writing a research project proposal and plan, including identifying relevant and appropriate methods, addressing ethical research requirements, undertaking a literature review and specifying research questions.

Opportunities to complete formative activities, which mirror the assessment tasks, will be available online or in workshops to help you to gauge your progress. Opportunities for teaching team and peer feedback will be integrated into the unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Problem Definition

In this assignment you will define a relevant problem or question(s) that will be addressed in your Master of Communication capstone project unit (CCN301).

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Research Project Proposal

In this assignment, you will develop a project proposal and plan for your capstone project unit(s). 

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students and staff who access campus buildings and facilities are required to complete the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Creswell, John W. & Creswell, J. David (2023). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sixth edition (Sage).

SAGE Research Methods Online (SRMO) – accessible from QUT Library.

Other

To enable your full participation in the virtual learning environment, for example, participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or facilities, refer to the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction.

You are advised to back-up your digital files on a regular basis to ensure work is not lost if there is a hardware failure. Information about the free file storage provided by QUT for students is available on the Storing your files page.

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.