UnitLevel 5Postgraduate

APG5050 Doing media and communications research

Faculty of Arts

APG5050 Doing media and communications research is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Arts, offered in 2024 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Caulfield. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 1 unit.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2024
Semester 1, Semester 2
Caulfield
Assessment
No exam
3 tasks
Workload
144 hours
per semester

This is the 2024 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before APG5050

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After APG5050

1 unit list APG5050 as a prerequisite or corequisite.

Enrolment rules

Prohibition: APG4396

Overview

The unit introduces you to principles of problem-solving in communication and media research. It considers a range of research methods - including textual analysis, content analysis, interviews, ethnographic fieldwork, audience research and digital methods. You will learn the techniques of different research methods, as well as how to critically assess your appropriateness for different problems in the field. The unit develops your skills in doing and designing academic research in media and communications.

Offerings in 2024

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterCaulfieldOn campus, block
Second semesterCaulfieldOn campus, block

Assessment

  • Participation
    10%
  • Literature ReviewAssignment
    40%
  • Research proposalResearch assignment
    50%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    critically examine the major research methods used in communication and media studies;

  2. 2

    analyse the role of research methods in addressing key challenges in media and communications;

  3. 3

    design effective research questions and select appropriate research methods;

  4. 4

    apply professional ethics standards for media and communications research.

Workload and teaching

  • Lectures12 hours
  • Tutorials18 hours
  • Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
  • Teaching approachResearch activities
  • Teaching approachActive learning
  • Teaching approachCase-based teaching

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

This unit engages students in enquiry-based learning, where they will be encouraged to use their own knowledge to develop and engage in a process of enquiry, study and research to identify areas to be investigated and an approach to doing so.

This unit allows students to develop their research skills by engaging in structured inquiry using a systematic approach and discipline-specific methodologies.

This unit engages students in actively applying their knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.

This unit includes case-based teaching, where students apply their knowledge and engage in analytical and reflective thinking to solve complex contextual scenarios. Activities are often designed so that there is not one clear answer, but students need to work together to examine, analyse and make decisions to resolve the situation.

Contacts

Chief Examiners
Dr Elizabeth Coleman
Dr Caron Dann
Unit Coordinators
Dr Elizabeth Coleman
Dr Caron Dann

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for APG5050?

APG5050 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

What can I take after APG5050?

APG5050 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including APG5752.

When is APG5050 offered?

In 2024, APG5050 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Caulfield.

How much work is APG5050?

The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.

Does APG5050 have an exam?

No. APG5050 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
5
Study level
Postgraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Arts
Organisational unit
MFJ Graduate Studies
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 4
Study abroad
Not available