Project Part 3: examples and docs

Three documents below, available to download, should give you some guidance for the third part of the class project ...

1. Continuing with the previous student's example paper, the model part 3 is posted here. This copy is annotated — I've highlighted some of the main parts your paper must include, which we'll elaborate on in section:
    — Statement of your research questions
    — Explanation of why these questions are important, and who else has
        been asking them (and how)
    — What data will answer your questions
    — How you intend to obtain that data

2. Also, as another example of format, a successful research proposal of mine is posted here. Note the way this is formatted, with labels for each paragraph ("research question," "hypothesis," "related work," etc.); I am perfectly fine with you utilizing this format, if it makes it easier to get your head around the components of a research proposal. (You would not need to include "theoretical contributions" or "risks," unless you had them ready in mind.)

3. Lastly, posted here is the short list of research methods compiled by a previous COMM 10 professor.

I also recommend these books, excellent guides to conceiving of and conducting communication research:

— Rubin, R.B., Rubin, A.M., Haridakis, P.M., & Piele, L.J. (2010). Communication Research: Strategies and Sources. Boston: Wadsworth
— Babbie, E. (2007). The Practice of Social Research. Boston: Wadsworth

Geisel has several copies of the Babbie and a couple copies of the Rubin, all available as of this posting.