MDIA 7007 - Media Masters Research Methods
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2023
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code MDIA 7007 Course Media Masters Research Methods Coordinating Unit Media Term Semester 1 Level Postgraduate Coursework Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 6 Contact Up to 2 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Incompatible MDIA 4002 Assessment Minor Assignment 1, Minor Assignment 2, Major Assignment, Presentation, Attendance and Participation Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Kim Barbour
Course coordinator approval is required for this course. If necessary, the course coordinator will have a discussion with the student about the demoands of the course and the student's academic background.Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1. Have gained a fuller understanding of the range of research methods available in the field of media
2. Understand the implications of different research method choices on the kinds of knowledge produced
3. Understand the components of, and be able to produce a research proposal
4. Understand the difference between a range of disciplinary approaches to research
5. Be able to produce a literature review and understand its importance in their own research process
6. Have gained skills in referencing softwares and data management softwares (if relevant)
7. Have gained a broad understanding of the research agendas of media studies in general, and how their own project fits within the field.最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
最新糖心Vlog 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 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
6 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.
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Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This subject will be run as a weekly seminar. As it is an advanced level, attendance and participation are required – there are no lectures for content delivery, there is only discussion. The content of the seminars will be driven by your own project material and input. A high level of engagement is expected. As assessment tasks start from the first week, you are expected to attend from the outset. This class will be discussion based and very much oriented towards your own individual projects and topics. You will be expected to articulate ideas and problems to the class from the outset. The topic areas will mostly be guided by your own choices and will thus be relevant and interesting to you.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Class time - 2 hours per week, 24 hours per semester
Individual meeting times - 4 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 - 140 hours per semesterLearning Activities Summary
Weekly topics:
Topic 1 - 'Research Methods'?
Topic 2 - History of Media Research
Topic 3 - Research Planning
Topic 4 - Literature Reviews
Topic 5 - Textual, Content, and Semiotic Analyses
Topic 6 - Critical Discourse Analysis
Topic 7 - Ethnographies
Topic 8 - Interviews & Focus Groups
Topic 9 - Quantitative Methods
Topic 10 - Digital and Computational Methods
Topic 11 - Project design
Topic 12 - Presentations -
Assessment
The 最新糖心Vlog'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
4x1000 word essays 40%
15-20 minute Presentation on your research topic 15%
Essay/Research proposal 35%
Participation 10%Assessment Detail
Short Essays:
Collectively, your short essays will be around 4000 words (+/- 10%), cite supporting material from appropriate disciplinary sources (both course readings and additional research) as needed, and demonstrate excellent Harvard referencing throughout. Essays should cover:
1. Identification of approximately 10-15 academic resources on your proposed thesis topic with brief description of their value to your proposed project
2. A comparative review of two different pieces of media scholarship in the area you want to explore, evaluating the methodological approaches taken by those involved
3. A comparison between up to three different methodological approaches to your research, weighing up the benefits, risks, and challenges of each approach
4. An exploration of the key ethical concerns connected to your proposed research topic, consideration of how you as the researcher can mitigate any risks, and a rationale for the project in light of the ethical considerations and potential risks.
Collectively, your short essays will be around 4000 words (+/- 10%), cite supporting material from appropriate disciplinary sources (both course readings and additional research) as needed, and demonstrate excellent Harvard referencing throughout.
Presentation:
The presentation should cover:
• The topic of the project
• Why you are passionate or curious about this area of media studies
• What your research questions or aims are
• Some background to the topic, including the main pieces of research that you will build from
• The chosen methodology and methods for your proposed project, including your justification and any limitations resulting from your choices
• What you hope to find out, and why
Your presentation will include appropriate support and utilise correct Harvard referencing. Slides will be submitted via MyUni at the conclusion of the seminar.
Research Proposal:
This assignment should cover:
• Your chosen methodology/ies and method(s)
• The relationship between these and your theoretical framework
• Why these methods are appropriate for your research project, and why other methods are not (or why you haven’t used other methods)
• Relationship between different methods if using a mixed approach
• What other methodological approaches have been used by key researchers in the field, and their similarities and differences to your approach
• What ethical questions are central to your project, and how you intend to address them
• What issues of representation, inclusion, or erasure need to be considered in relation to your project
• Your positionality as a researcher within this project (reflexive statement)
The structure and format of this assignment will be developed in class, with formal requirements set during the mid-semester break.
Participation:
This is a small seminar group that will rely on your attendance and participation to work. As both Honours and Masters study requires a level of engagement beyond that of undergraduate courses, you are expected to show your willingness to engage in the tasks by coming to all seminars prepared and willing to speak – doing this weekly will result in a strong participation grade
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:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending 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 .
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Student Feedback
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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 最新糖心Vlog 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.
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