Guidelines for the research paper
The research paper asks you to demonstrate your knowledge of statistical research techniques. It requires that you identify a topic for research; conduct a literature review; operationalize concepts and variables; generate a data gathering instrument; collect data; enter data into SPSS; describe, test hypotheses, and examine relationships in your data; and make recommendations for applications. The research paper is worth a total of 30 points.
You must use either MLA or APA style rules for your research paper. Choose one style and remain consistent. The paper, in general, should not exceed 20 pages (including references, notes, figures, and tables). Papers should include tables only when they are the most efficient way to present the data.
Consider the following guidelines as you prepare your final paper:
(1) Posing and developing a topic for research
A research project begins with the selection of a topic. Chose a timely topic that will engage you as a corporate communication researcher. Communication scholars are very interested in the processes of interpersonal communication, small-group communication, language and symbolic codes, organizational communication, public communication, and mass communication. As a research analyst, your job is to explore these processes in order to generate information that helps understand the communication that is practiced, there. As a communication researcher, introduce a topic that you find interesting as a topic for research. Why do you think your topic is important?
(2) Reviewing past research and writings about that problem or subject
Based on your literature reviews, what are researchers of communication (and perhaps other disciplines) saying about your topic? How have they addressed your topic? What are the theoretical orientations that they use to create avenues for research into that topic? Can you generate a rationale based on this previous research for your own proposed orientations to the research of your chosen topic.
(3) Identifying research questions that address the topic
The tradition of communication research that you have chosen to align yourself with will suggest ways of formulating research questions about your topic, as well as ways of designing and executing research. Create a research question that will guide your proposed research strategies.
(4) Devise the best method to both gather appropriate data and to analyze the data to seek answers to your research questions
We will have discussed methodology in terms of (a) data gathering techniques and (b) data analysis. How do you propose to gather your data? How do you propose to analyze this data?
(5) Presentation of Findings
What did you find having collected and analyzed your data? Refer to your research question(s) when reporting your findings.
(6) Consider the meaning and possible implications of your proposed research to further knowledge of the topic
Here is your license to speculate. Every prospective reader of your paper will want to hear of the possible implications of your research. This is the big “so what?” question. Having conducted this research what are the larger meanings of the results—for the specific professional situation or for future academic research? What knowledge will you add of the role of communication in our lives?
The research paper is due the final day of classes.
