ME512: Survey Research for Effective Communication (4 units)

ME712/ME812: Methods: Survey Research

Viggo Søgaard, Professor of Communication
Winter 2005 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

The objectives of this course are to teach the use and function of communication research tools in church and mission. The course will teach how we can obtain necessary data and information for the planning and execution of missionary objectives as well as measuring the effectiveness of Christian communication. Emphasis will be on the methodology of survey research, construction of questionnaires, data interpretation, and application of research data in strategy decision
For doctoral students, the course can be used to plan and carry out the research needed for a doctoral degree. Questionnaires to be used in field research can be pre-tested during the course.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Gain knowledge of how a survey research project is conducted.
• Develop skills on how to design a research project, prepare questionnaires, conduct interviews, and tabulate and present data.

COURSE FORMAT:

This is a two-week intensive. Class meets daily. (Optional: class may meet daily for an extra half-hour and will focus on projects by doctoral students). Part of the time will be lecture, but a major part will be devoted to discussion and evaluation of research studies. During the course students will, alone or in groups, conduct a research study, working through the stages of definition, design, sampling, questionnaire construction, fieldwork, tabulation, interpretation, and reporting.

REQUIRED READING:

If you have read any of the required texts for another course, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.
Søgaard, Viggo, Research in Church and Mission. Pasadena: William Carey Library, 1996.
Haalund, Ane, Pretesting Communication Materials. UNESCO, 1984. (Available in class.)
McKinnear, Thomas, and James R. Taylor, Marketing Research: An Applied Approach. McGraw-Hill, 1995 (selected sections).
Syllabus, with course material, articles and case studies to be circulated and sold in class.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Babbie, Earl, The Practice of Social Research. 5th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1989.
Pelto, Pertti J.,Anthropological Research: The Structure of Inquiry. New York: Harper & Row, 1970.
Smith, Donald, Creating Understanding Across Cultural Landscapes. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992.
Søgaard, Viggo, Media in Church and Mission. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 1993.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Evaluation reports on research design and studies. One research term project.
Th.M. Students: Required to present and discuss a research proposal in class.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet research methods requirement in MA-ICS and Th.M. programs.

FINAL EXAM: None.

Last Dated Edited: September 13, 2004