CMUN 246, Fall 2001
JIM L. QUERY, JR., PH.D.
The purpose of this handout is to ID my expectations and tips for the In Progress Report (IPR) and Term Paper. To ease your perusal, an outline format is employed. PLEASE PLAN YOUR PREP TIME NOW.
IDEAL GRP SIZE = 3-4 INDIVIDUALS
WHILE YOU MUST COORDINATE YOUR ACTIVITIES AND COOPERATE WITH ONE ANOTHER, EACH MEMBER WRITES INDIVIDUALLY-AUTHORED SECTIONS. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN A TWO-GRADE REDUCTION FOR THE RESPECTIVE AUTHORS
Optional Risk-Free In Progress Report Due Date: OCT 18, 2001.
Final In Progress Report Due Date: NOV 1, 2001.
Paper Due Date: DEC 4, 2001.
Weight: In Progress Report @ 14%; Paper @ 26%.
TOTAL LENGTH PARAMETERS
While I am reluctant to specify a fixed range, most successful completed papers have spanned 25-35 PAGES (not including data tables, appendices, references). HENCE, EACH INDIVIDUAL SHOULD ANTICIPATE TURNING IN 8-12 pp. (GUIDES) IN TOTAL. THE IPR EXPLICATES SECTIONS 1-2, AND POSSIBLY SOME OF SECTION 3. ALL FOUR SECTIONS MUST BE ADDRESSED IN THE FINAL PAPER.
REQUIRED SOURCES: At least 25-32 for the entire paper including your texts.
FORMAT: All papers should adhere to the standards specified in the writing standard guide (WSG), follow correct documentation procedures (APA), and must be typed using double-spacing. The tools to help you meet these standards are available through the links below. Assume, also, that you are 
writing to a theory and research neophyte. A "Neophyte" is one who is new to an area, and thus, has much to discover.
writing to a theory and research neophyte. A "Neophyte" is one who is new to an area, and thus, has much to discover.PRIOR APPROVAL REQUIRED: NO SITE VISITS OR DATA FOR YOUR STUDY MAY BE COLLECTED UNTIL THE PROFESSOR HAS APPROVED IN WRITING YOUR SITE AND DATA-COLLECTION STRATEGIES. NON-COMPLIANCE WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF "F."
APPROVED IN WRITING YOUR SITE AND DATA-COLLECTION STRATEGIES. NON-COMPLIANCE WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF "F."IN PROGRESS REPORTS (IPRs) WHICH RECEIVE AN "F" TRIGGER AN "F" FOR THE FINAL PAPER.
ASSIGNMENT EXPLICATION:
1). Select and describe a local site which you and your group will study. Your overarching goal here is to uncover and then explicate the meaning structures of this site focusing on potential forces that will shape message behavior. These analyses will clearly vary, and it is NOT possible, nor consistent with course objectives, to impose a priori categories. Notwithstanding that imperative, some ideas might be helpful to your grp. For example, what role, if any, does the history of the group or organization play in current communication practices? In what ways, if any, does the mission of the organization or group frame communication processes and practices? What might be some other possibilities? These can only be ascertained as the research team becomes immersed at the site. [This section can accomodate at least two individuals.]
2). Describe in ample detail the daily communication practices and processes that you and your group observed. Be sure to focus on key symbols and signs that are employed. Trace changes in these communication processes and practices over the course of your on-site visits. You may also consult historical documents such as newsletters, web sites, etc. to glean a sense of over-time changes. You must supply actual exemplars of their communication to achieve this objective [This section can accomodate at least two individuals.]
3). Having identified key communication processes and practices, signs and symbols, identify and explicate recurring or dominant themes. Attempt to explain what the messages mean to insiders and outsiders. Pull in existing literature to support your inductive analysis. That is, how do past research and existing theories inform our understanding of these messages and patterns? EACH GRP MEMBER MUST COMPLETE THIS SECTION AND AT LEAST TWO DISTINCT THEORIES MUST BE EXPLICATED.
4). Speculate on the ramifications of these findings. Be sure to locate your claims within contextual theorizing and not global approaches. Describe four key limitations which limit the study's explanatory power. These should be divided among grp members. Sample size should NOT be addressed, nor the purposive nature of the sample. If you were to do the study over, explain one direction for future research. One way to address this item is to "dove-tail" with your chosen limitation. For example, if one states that the research participants felt uncomfortable with the research team, how might that difficulty be lessened in future studies. [Each grp member tackles a portion of this section.]
