University of Louisiana at Lafayette Department of Communication

CMCN 504
Graduate
Research
Day: Thursdays
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Burke Hawthorne 117

SPRING 2020 SECTION: 45007 - 001

Course Description Dr. Phillip Arceneaux

You are entering a new life: the life of the grad student. This course Dr. Arceneaux earned a
may be the most important course you take during your grad career Ph.D. from the University
and will serve as the foundation for your own research. We will explore of Florida with interests in
different concepts, measurements, and methods as we go through the
international communica-
course. I encourage you to ask questions and participate in the class.
tion, specifically public
The more you engage with the material and the people around you the
and digital diplomacy. His
more you will get out of the course.
COURSE OBJECTIVES scholarly interests include
1. Define basic research concepts such as hypotheses, research ques-
political public relations,
tions, variables, operationalization, sampling, statistics, measurement, international relations,
reliability, validity, unobtrusive measures, observational measures, international law, and
grounded/phenomenological analyses and criticism. cybersecurity. He received
2. Describe and evaluate such approaches as empiricism, and critical his bachelor’s at LSU and
and interpretive research. his master ’s at the UL-Lafayette. Dr.
3. Describe, explain and compare specific research methods such as Arceneaux’s work experience spans strategic
experiments, surveys, interviewing, focus groups, observation, content communications in academics, professional
analysis and critical and rhetorical analyses. athletics, and government, including the U.S.
4. Design a research study addressing specific research questions/ Naval Academy, U.S. Department of State,
hypotheses in your area of interest. and Central Intelligence Agency.
5. Critically evaluate the research of others.
6. Assess the advantages and disadvantages of different research ap- Email: phillip.arceneaux@louisiana.edu
proaches and methods.
Twitter: @phil_arceneaux
7. Compute basic descriptive and inferential statistics.
8. Explain the ethical responsibilities of scholarly researchers. LinkedIn: /philliparceneaux/
9. Write professionally formatted and cited research papers. Office: Wharton Hall 327
CMCN 504: Graduate Research Methods

Course Textbooks:
Title: Investigating Communication: An
Introduction to Research Methods (2nd Edition)
Author: L. R. Frey, C. H. Botan, & G. L. Kreps
ISBN-13: 978-0205198269 - Recommended

Title: Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS

Statistics (4th Edition)
Authors: Andy Field
ISBN-13: 978-9351500827 - Optional

There is no such thing as a “freebie” when it comes to absences or being late. If you
Absences & have missed an in class assignment, you will receive a zero. Please note that all
assignments are uploaded online, but some are due by the posted date and time. All
Late Policy times are in the current time zone of UL Lafayette (i.e. Central). Late work is not
accepted. If you have an excused absence, you may make arrangements to turn in
your work early. In the case of an emergency, late work may be accepted with documentation of the
extenuating circumstance. Religious holiday conflicts with class should be submitted by the
third week of class. Excused absences are as follows: University Sponsored Events with at least 1 week
prior notice and documentation; Medical/Emotional/ Family Emergencies with appropriate
documentation and communication. All emergency absence documentation is due within two weeks
of your return to class. Make up assignments will not be given until documentation is received.

Respect is an absolute requirement for this course. Participation is

essential to the learning process and reflects a percentage of the course grade. In
order to give everyone the opportunity for maximum participation, a safe
respectful environment must exist in the class for all opinions and perspectives.
At no time should there be any use of profanity, disrespectful slurs, or aggressive
volume used in the discussions. This applies to course guests and students.
Surfing the Internet, playing games, and blogging are all disrespectful when done
during a presentation or lecture. We are all here to learn, and should therefore
vow to listen, process, and then respectfully respond to the statements made.
CMCN 504: Graduate Research Methods

Course Grading Breakdown

• Critiques: 4 article critiques X 50 points = 200 points
• Participation: 10 classes X 10 points each = 100 points
• Annotated Bibliography 1 bibliography X 100 points = 100 points
• Final Research Proposal 1 proposal X 300 points = 300 points
• Midterm Exam: 1 exam X 150 points = 150 points
• Final Exam: 1 exam X 150 points = 150 points

1,000 TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE IN THE CLASS

*All assignments are for credit towards a college level course. Submissions should be of college level
quality. All homework and class assignments should be coherent and presentable. Please check grammar,
punctuations, and tone prior to submission. First and last names should be listed on all submissions (no
nicknames). If having extreme difficulties submitting materials in Moodle, please reach out to the
instructor for assistance.

1,000 - 900 = A 899 - 800 = B 799 - 700 = C 699 - 600 = D 599 - 0 = F

Assignment Descriptions
• Article Critiques: For all four of the article critique
assignments you will have to discuss an article that will be
indicated ahead of time. Your assignment will be to critique the
articles using the concepts covered by that time. Although you
should discuss and evaluate the conceptual connection
between the theories used in the articles and the research
questions, you are expected to focus mainly on the
appropriateness, thoroughness, ethics, and application of the
research methods used in each article.

• Class Participation: You are expected not only to attend and prepare for class
by reading the assigned materials ahead of time, but also to lead and participate in
class discussions, ask questions, and make pertinent comments.
CMCN 504: Graduate Research Methods

Assignment Descriptions, Cont’d

• Annotated Bibliography: I will require you to create an
annotated bibliography on any topic of interest to you regarding
communication. Your bibliography will be comprised of a minimum
of 20 sources. Fifteen of those sources must be peer-reviewed
articles that you get from EBSCO or other sources. The other five
can be TV shows, magazine or news articles, or anything else. You
will be graded on grammar, spelling, and punctuation, APA style, and quality of your annotations. You will
probably hate this assignment but that's OK; it will give you a solid foundation moving forward and help
you learn how to read research articles.

• Final Research Proposal: By the end of the class you will have to: 1) Identify a research topic for your
thesis a) Identify a faculty member whose research interests are closest to yours and who is willing to chair
your thesis committee 2) Identify and review key articles and book chapters for your thesis 3) Identify
potential research questions and/or hypotheses for your thesis 4) Develop a research plan consisting of a)
Method(s) of research—in detail b) Data gathering plan c) Data and/or participant treatment d) Statistical
analysis/data manipulation plan. I will evaluate and grade your prospectus based on: 1) how you apply the
concepts and techniques covered in class 2) the hypotheses/research questions and the quality of their
connection to the literature review 3) the appropriateness and thoroughness of the proposed method(s) 4)
the quality of the writing.

• Midterm & Final Exam: The exams will test all material covered since the very first day
of class. The exams will be worth 150 points each , or 30% of your grade in the course. The
test format will involved multiple choice, matching, short answer questions, and essay
questions.

• Extra Credit: To receive extra credit a student must significantly

impress the instructor as a courtesy for the additional grading to his or her
workload. As one learns in public relations, good relationships are based on
credibility and authenticity, and one of the strongest ways to achieve this is
through community engagement and community service. If you want to
earn extra credit this semester, you must participate in community service,
ideally a minimum of 10 hours that can spread out over the course of the
semester. This is just a proposed list, you can volunteer in any formal set-
ting that you like as long as I clear it before the service takes place. For more ideas, you can visit the UL
Lafayette Office of Community Service, including their Volunteer Opportunities page.
CMCN 504: Graduate Research Methods
Academic Honor Code
UL Lafayette strives to create a
community of thought leaders and
innovators in an environment which
fosters a desire to advance and
disseminate knowledge. We support the
mission of the University by actualizing
our core values: 1) Equity; 2) Integrity;
3) Intellectual Curiosity; 4) Creativity;
5) Tradition; 6) Transparency;
7) Respect; 8) Collaboration; 9) Pluralism;
10) Sustainability.
Cheating is the term broadly used to describe all acts of
dishonesty committed in taking tests or examinations and
in preparing assignments. Cheating
includes such practices as gaining help
from another person or using
unauthorized notes when taking a test,
relying on a calculator if such an aid has
been forbidden, and preparing an
assignment in consultation with another
person when the instructor expects the
work to be done independently. Cheating
occurs when a student makes use of any
unauthorized aids or materials. Furthermore, any student
who provides unauthorized assistance in academic work is
also guilty of cheating.

Academic Integrity Violations:
The University holds that all work for which a student
will receive a grade or credit shall be an original
contribution or shall be properly documented to
indicate sources. Abrogation of this principle entails
dishonesty, defeats the purpose of instruction, and
undermines the high goals of the University.
Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Students
shall be assumed to know the acceptable methods
and techniques for proper documentation of sources
and to avoid cheating and plagiarism in all work
submitted for credit, whether prepared in or out of
class.
Plagiarism occurs when a student claims originality for
the ideas or words of another person, when the student
presents as a new and original idea or product anything
which in fact is derived from an existing work, or when the
student makes use of any work or production already cre-
ated by someone else without giving credit to the source.
Plagiarism is the use of unacknowledged materials in the
preparation of assignments. The student must take care
to avoid plagiarism in research or term papers.
For More Information:
Visit: https://studentrights.louisiana.edu/student-conduct/
code-conduct#sanctions

1. Class will be fun. Students will look forward to the class and the assignments.
Teacher - Student 2. Everything will be useful and have a purpose. I promise not to assign any busy work.
Agreement 3. Participation is required. You do not have to talk the most, but I expect active
listeners and participation.
4. Mature and respectful behavior is expected. This includes ARRIVING ON TIME.
5. Electronics are allowed for CLASS SPECIFIC PURPOSES ONLY.
6. I am here to help, but I expect you to check the syllabus and Moodle before asking
assignments/grade questions.

Students with disabilities must complete a confidential registration process through

ADA ODS (separate from admissions). They must first be admitted to the University with a
ULID number. The Request Accommodations link is for NEW ODS students. If you are
Statement already registered with ODS, you can access your accommodations by using Manage
Accommodations.
CMCN 504: Graduate Research Methods

Academic Resources
• The Academic Support Center: The Academic Success Center (ASC) counselors and staff
assist you in making a successful transition into the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. We're also
a great resource for students who are looking for tutoring, advising, and information about
changing majors. Located at the heart of the campus in Lee Hall, the Academic Success Center is
your best resource for academic support services. Appointments are not necessary to see an
academic counselor.

• Dupré Library: Explore our resources or take a break to sip a coffee in Jazzman's Café & Bakery. Feel free to use one
of our 200+ computers, or learn about the library's resources in our SMART classroom.

• The Writing Center: Students, tutors, and teachers form the Writing Center community and create a comfortable
and relaxed atmosphere in which writers work with other writers. Visitors to the center are encouraged to discuss
their writing. The Center’s staff assists its clients at any stage of the writing process. The Center welcomes students
from all disciplines and offers resources for those writing in English as a second language. The Writing Center is located
in HL Griffin Hall, Room 107. Fall and Spring Hours: Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and Friday 8 a.m. - 2
p.m. Dupre Library Satellite Station: Monday through Wednesday 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Health & Wellness Resources

• Office of Student Health Services: Student Health Services, under the Student Affairs umbrella, is aimed at
enhancing your learning experience on campus. Take advantage of what we have to offer. We invite you to explore
our website to learn about our services and costs, stop by our clinic in O.K. Allen Hall, Saucier Wellness Center, at 220
Hebrard Boulevard, or call us at (337) 482-1293 if you have any questions or concerns.

• Saucier Wellness Center Clinic: We are open for business Monday-Thursday from 7:30 am- 4:45 pm and on Fri-
days from 7:30 am-12:15 pm, whenever the university administrative offices are open, including semester breaks. Reg-
ular Semester Appointment Hours (hours when doctors and nurse practitioners are available): Monday and Wednes-
day 7:45 am - 3:45 pm; Tuesday 8:30 am - 3:45 pm (Staff meeting 7:30 am - 8:30 am); Thursday 8:30 am- 3:45 pm
(Clinician meeting 7:30 am - 8:30 am); Friday 7:45 am - 10:45 am. Nurse Triage (you will be seen by a nurse, but not
necessarily by a doctor or nurse practitioner if appointments are already booked for the day): Monday and Wednes-
day 7:45 am - 4:00 pm; Tuesday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm (Staff meeting 7:30 am - 8:30 am); Thursday 8:30 am- 4:00 pm
(Clinician meeting 7:30 am - 8:30 am); Friday 7:45 am - 11:30 am. Semester Break Appointment Hours (when classes
are not in session, but the university administrative offices are open): Monday-Thursday 12 pm - 3:45 pm; Friday
7:45 am - 10:45 am. If you need assistance when the clinic is closed, call University Police at 482-6447 or seek care at
a local Walk In Clinic or Emergency Room.

Counselling & Testing Center: The Center provides personal coun-

seling, crisis intervention, and short-term psychotherapy for individuals,
couples, and groups. The Center offers an unlimited number of sessions,
FREE-of-charge to University students, faculty, and staff. Consultation
services and workshops are available to student groups, faculty, and staff.
The Counseling Center is located within the Saucier Wellness Center, OK
Allen Hall. Office Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30am – 5pm; Fri 7:30am - 12:30pm.
Emergencies: contact University Police at (337) 482-6447.
CMCN 504: Graduate Research Methods

Title IX Statement
UL Lafayette is committed to fostering an environment in which all
members of our campus community are safe, secure, and free from Sexual
Misconduct of any form, including but not limited to Sexual
Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking. The University
expects that all interpersonal relationships and interactions – especially
those of an intimate nature – be grounded upon mutual respect, open
communication, and clear Consent. Each student has the right to learn
and each employee has the right to work in an environment free
of Prohibited Sexual Conduct.

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied
the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Feder-
al financial assistance.”

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 to the 1964 Civil Rights Act

Memes of Wisdom for this Semester