CCN207 Communication Research and Problem Solving
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CCN207 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | Completion of 48 credit points of CCN- or CCQ- coded units |
| Equivalent(s): | CCQ207, CCQ203, CCN203 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,216 |
| International unit fee | $4,452 |
Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 05A 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal (Start Date: 22 Apr 2025)
| Unit code: | CCN207 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Completion of 48 credit points of CCN- or CCQ- coded units |
| Equivalent: | CCN203 or CCQ203 or CCQ207 |
| Coordinator: | Patrik Wikstrom | patrik.wikstrom@qut.edu.au |
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 to undertake such industry-focussed research.
Note: If you are in the Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication, you should undertake this unit if you intend to articulate into the Master of Digital Communication.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply appropriate research method/s to investigate topics in the communication and media industry.
- Critically analyse topics in the communication and media industry drawing on scholarly literature.
- Discuss and apply the ethics of data collection, analysis and reporting.
- Collaborate with peers to solve problems.
Content
In this unit you will choose a topic for your capstone project and learn how to design a project that effectively addresses a question related your topic. Your project can be shaped as a real-world problem to solve or a research challenge for you to explore. You will learn how to select appropriate theoretical perspectives for your topic and how to choose research designs and methods to address the question you have created. You will use artificial intelligence tools for all steps in your project design and learn about both the benefits and limitations of AI tools for communication research and problem-solving.
Learning Approaches
This unit is taught via a blended approach that combines elements of online delivery and face-to-face.
Learning experiences in this unit include:
- participating in class/online tutorials (team-based learning and problem-based learning)
- attending lectures
- engaging with online learning materials
- reading book chapters, scholarly and industry articles
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive feedback on your learning in a variety of ways, including:
- Informal formative feedback in tutorials,
- Self-assessment tools,
- Peer feedback,
- Formal written or recorded feedback on both formative and summative assessment tasks in addition to the grade on the Criterion Reference Assessment sheet.
Assessment
Overview
You will be required to complete three assessment items during this unit:
- The problem: In this task you will explore and define your topic area.
- The questions: In this task you will identify relevant concepts and theoretical perspectives to examine your topic.
- The design: In this task you will choose research designs and methods to address the questions you have developed.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: The problem
You will work in groups to search and discuss academic literature relevant to a digital communication topic. Individually you will use some of the literature you have found to build an integrative literature review relevant to this topic. You will produce a reflection on your own contribution to the group work and discuss the techniques you employed to complete the review.
You will build on this assessment in assessment 2. This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: The questions
You will work in groups to identify relevant concepts and theoretical perspectives to examine your topic. Individually, you will build on some of these concepts and theories to develop (a) a theoretical framework and (b) a set of relevant and well justified research questions. You will produce a reflection on your own contribution to the group work.
You will build on this assessment in assessment 3. This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: The design
You will choose research designs and methods to address the questions you have developed. You will present these designs and methods as a proposal for your capstone project where you also reflect on relevant ethical issues that may arise.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
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.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Relevant academic texts covering all aspects of the development of a research proposal
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.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.KC87 Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication
- Critique scholarly research in specialised and contemporary digital communication areas.
Relates to: ULO2, The problem, The questions, The design - Independently propose data-driven solutions to contemporary communication issues
Relates to: ULO1, The problem, The questions, The design - Collaborate and negotiate with peers from diverse backgrounds using culturally appropriate ways of engaging
Relates to: ULO4, The problem, The questions - Analyse critical issues in media and communication industries with consideration for diversity.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, The problem, The questions, The design - Tailor culturally appropriate communication strategies and content for a variety of audiences and formats.
Relates to: The design
KC88 Master of Digital Communication
- Critique and engage in scholarly research in specialised and contemporary digital communication areas.
Relates to: ULO2, The problem, The questions, The design - Independently propose innovative, data-driven solutions to contemporary communication issues
Relates to: ULO1, The problem, The questions, The design - Collaborate and negotiate with peers from diverse backgrounds using culturally appropriate ways of engaging
Relates to: ULO4, The problem, The questions - Evaluate critical issues in media and communication industries.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, The problem, The questions, The design - Tailor and implement culturally appropriate communication strategies and content for a variety of audiences and formats.
Relates to: The design
Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 10A 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal (Start Date: 08 Sep 2025)
| Unit code: | CCN207 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Completion of 48 credit points of CCN- or CCQ- coded units |
| Equivalent: | CCN203 or CCQ203 or CCQ207 |
| Coordinator: | Patrik Wikstrom | patrik.wikstrom@qut.edu.au |
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 to undertake such industry-focussed research.
Note: If you are in the Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication, you should undertake this unit if you intend to articulate into the Master of Digital Communication.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply appropriate research method/s to investigate a significant topic in the field of Digital Communication.
- Identify, ctirique and synthesise appropriate literature to study topics in the field of Digital Communication.
- Discuss and apply the ethics of data collection, analysis and reporting.
- Effectively present, defend and critique research plans
Content
In this unit you will choose a topic for your capstone project and learn how to design a project that effectively addresses a question related your topic. Your project can be shaped as a real-world problem to solve or a research challenge for you to explore. You will learn how to select appropriate theoretical perspectives for your topic and how to choose research designs and methods to address the question you have created. You will use artificial intelligence tools for all steps in your project design and learn about both the benefits and limitations of AI tools for communication research and problem-solving.
Learning Approaches
This unit is taught via a blended approach that combines elements of online delivery and face-to-face.
Learning experiences in this unit include:
- participating in workshop activities and tutorials (team-based learning and problem-based learning)
- attending lectures
- engaging with online learning materials
- reading book chapters, scholarly and industry articles
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive feedback on your learning in a variety of ways, including:
- Informal formative feedback in workshops and tutorials,
- Self-assessment tools,
- Peer feedback,
- Formal written or recorded feedback on both formative and summative assessment tasks in addition to the grade on the Criterion Reference Assessment sheet.
Assessment
Overview
You will be required to complete three assessment items during this unit:
- Project design: This assessment consists of three tasks - (1) Map the project terrain, (2) Develop your research questions, and (3) Justify your methodological decisions.
- The proposal pitch: This assessment consists of two tasks - (1) A live presentation with Q&A and (2) Peer critique
- Project planning portfolio: This assessment consists of two tasks - (1) Reflective journal and (2) Research plan
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Project design
Task 1: Mapping the project terrain. In this task, you will (1) develop a topic and unpack its significance, (2) develop an annotated literature review, and (3) identify and justify key concepts and theories.
Task 2: Research question development. In this task, you develop clearly articulated research questions with detailed rationales explaining the motivation behind these questions.
Task 3: Methodological justification. In this task, you justify your chosen methodology by explicitly connecting methods to questions and theory.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: The proposal pitch
Task 1: Live presentation and Q&A. You will make a live presentation of your proposal to your peers and respond to follow-up questions from your instructors.
Task 2: Peer critique. You will be assigned as a reviewer for another student’s presentation and submit a short critique.
Assessment: Project planning portfolio
Task 1: Weekly Reflective Journals. Each week, you will reflect on class activities, how your thinking evolved and what challenges you may have faced.
Task 2: Research plan. You extend your work during the unit into a well-defined, ethically sound, and practically executable research plan to guide your capstone project.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
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.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Relevant academic texts covering all aspects of the development of a research proposal
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.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.KC87 Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication
- Critique scholarly research in specialised and contemporary digital communication areas.
Relates to: ULO2, Project design, The proposal pitch, Project planning portfolio - Independently propose data-driven solutions to contemporary communication issues
Relates to: ULO1, Project design, The proposal pitch, Project planning portfolio - Collaborate and negotiate with peers from diverse backgrounds using culturally appropriate ways of engaging
Relates to: ULO4, Project design, The proposal pitch - Analyse critical issues in media and communication industries with consideration for diversity.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Project design, The proposal pitch, Project planning portfolio - Tailor culturally appropriate communication strategies and content for a variety of audiences and formats.
Relates to: Project planning portfolio
KC88 Master of Digital Communication
- Critique and engage in scholarly research in specialised and contemporary digital communication areas.
Relates to: ULO2, Project design, The proposal pitch, Project planning portfolio - Independently propose innovative, data-driven solutions to contemporary communication issues
Relates to: ULO1, Project design, The proposal pitch, Project planning portfolio - Collaborate and negotiate with peers from diverse backgrounds using culturally appropriate ways of engaging
Relates to: ULO4, Project design, The proposal pitch - Evaluate critical issues in media and communication industries.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Project design, The proposal pitch, Project planning portfolio - Tailor and implement culturally appropriate communication strategies and content for a variety of audiences and formats.
Relates to: Project planning portfolio