MDIA 4002 - Honours Media Research Methods

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course supports students to develop an advanced understanding of a range of approaches to research within media studies. Discipline specific approaches to online research and qualitative methods are complimented by exploration of qualitative and computational research. As well as critically engaging with a range of advanced media methodologies and research frameworks, students will address research at the applied, theoretical and philosophical levels, and includes weekly insights from active researchers into how these methods are used in their research. Some key questions include: What role does previous literature play in ongoing research? How do the methods we choose in our research shape the kinds of knowledge we produce? What kinds of insights can be gained through different methodologies? What are the politics and ethics of different research methods? What are the central themes of media research and why? How do you structure a research proposal? How do you find and keep track of resources? How do you structure a literature review? How do you structure an argument? Throughout the course, students gain practical experience in a range of approaches to research design and data analysis, use this to develop a research design appropriate for a thesis project at Honour?s level study.

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Course Details

Course Code	MDIA 4002
Course	Honours Media Research Methods
Coordinating Unit	Media
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	6
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	A credit standard in undergraduate study, which is usually determined by a minimum requirement of 70% average in all Level II and Level III courses taken at undergraduate level.
Incompatible	MDIA 7007
Restrictions	Available only to students admitted to relevant Honours program
Assessment	Short essay x 2, Group presentation, Research design for Honours thesis.

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Kim Barbour

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students will:

Have gained a fuller understanding of the range of research methods available in the field of media
Understand the implications of different research method choices on the kinds of knowledge produced
Understand the components of, and be able to produce a research proposal
Understand the difference between a range of disciplinary approaches to research
Be able to produce a literature review and understand its importance in their own research process
Have gained skills in referencing softwares and data management softwares (if relevant)
Have gained a broad understanding of the research agendas of media studies in general, and how their own project fits within the field.

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.	1,2,3,4,5,6,7
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.	4,5,7
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.	1,2,3,4,5,6,7
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 made available electronically to students.

Learning & Teaching Modes

This subject will be run as a weekly seminar, with a mix of mini-lecture, student-led discussion, and activities. The course will regularly host guest presenters who are experts in particular areas of media research. Classes will not be recorded.
Enrolment is in on-campus mode only, and your attendance in class is expected. Very occasional attendance via Zoom may be possible to accommodate minor illness in consultation with the course coordinator, but students should plan to attend each week.
Students should arrive prepared for class, having completed any necessary reading or other tasks as directed. Active participation in class discussions and activities is a requirement for all enrolled students.

Workload

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

Class time - 3 hours per week, 36 hours per semester
Required reading - 6 hours per week, 72 hours per semester
Supplimentary research - 6 hours per week, 72 hours per semester
Assignment preparation - 132 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

Weeks	Focus topics
1-2	Background: - What is 'research'? - Research in context - Approaches to research (ontology, epistemology, methdology)
3-6	Research in practice: - Analysing texts - Social media research - Creative practice research - Researching people
7-10	Research in application - Designing achievable research projects - Writing good questions - Ethical research practice - Collecting and storing data - Analysing data
11-12	Research reporting and translation - Theses - Artefact + exegesis - Academic versus non-academic writing - Writing for publication - Posters & presentations

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

Assignment	Focus	Type	Weighting	Due
Short essay 1 (1500-2000 words)	Comparative methodological approaches	Formative and summative	20%	week 5
Short essay 2 (1500-2000 words)	Methods and ethics	Formative and summative	20%	week 8
Group presentation (15 minutes)	Student led presentation of weekly required reading	Formative and summative	20%	in-class - scheduled week 1
Research Design (2000-3000 words)	Structured write-up of proposed research design for thesis course	Formative and summative	40%	week 13

Assessment Detail

Short essays
Based on the course content and your own research. In line with assignment requirements published on MyUni, you will demonstrate advanced understanding of key research methodologies, methods, and ethical considerations, within the context of your intended research field.
Group presentation
Working with classmates as allocated by the course coordinator, you will present on one weekly topic, exploring the reading and leading discussion within the cohort.
Research proposal
In consultation with the course coordinator, and with input as needed from your thesis supervisor, you will design your major research project for your Honours. This could be a research thesis, or a creative project (artifact) and exegesis.

Submission

All written assessment, plus presentation slides, to be submitted via MyUni.

Course Grading

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

M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
Grade	Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade	Reported on Official Transcript
Fail	A mark between 1-49	F
Third Class	A mark between 50-59	3
Second Class Div B	A mark between 60-69	2B
Second Class Div A	A mark between 70-79	2A
First Class	A mark between 80-100	1
Result Pending	An interim result	RP
Continuing	Continuing	CN

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.
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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