Statistical Research Techniques

The research paper asks you to demonstrate your knowledge of statistical research techniques.
It requires that you identify a topic for research; conduct a literature review; operationalize
concepts and variables; generate a data gathering instrument; collect data; enter data into
SPSS; describe, test hypotheses, and examine relationships in your data; and make
recommendations for applications.
You must use either MLA or APA style rules for your research paper. Choose one style and
remain consistent. The paper, in general, should not exceed 20 pages (including references,
notes, figures, and tables). Papers should include tables only when they are the most efficient
way to present the data.
Consider the following guidelines as you prepare your final paper:
(1) Posing and developing a topic for research
A research project begins with the selection of a topic. Chose a timely topic that will engage you
as a corporate communication researcher. Communication scholars are very interested in the
processes of interpersonal communication, small-group communication, language and symbolic
codes, organizational communication, public communication, and mass communication. As a
research analyst, your job is to explore these processes in order to generate information that
helps understand the communication that is practiced, there. As a communication researcher,
introduce a topic that you find interesting as a topic for research. Why do you think your topic
is important?
(2) Reviewing past research and writings

Based on your literature reviews, what are researchers of communication (and perhaps other
disciplines) saying about your topic? How have they addressed your topic? What are the
theoretical orientations that they use to create avenues for research into that topic? Can you
generate a rationale based on this previous research for your own proposed orientations to the
research of your chosen topic.
(3) Identifying research questions that address the topic
The tradition of communication research that you have chosen to align yourself with will
suggest ways of formulating research questions about your topic, as well as ways of designing
and executing research. Create a research question that will guide your proposed research
strategies.
(4) Devise the best method to both gather appropriate data and to analyze the data to seek
answers to your research questions
We will have discussed methodology in terms of (a) data gathering techniques and (b) data
analysis. How do you propose to gather your data? How do you propose to analyze this data?
(5) Presentation of Findings
What did you find having collected and analyzed your data? Refer to your research question(s)
when reporting your findings.
(6) Consider the meaning and possible implications of your proposed research to further
knowledge of the topic
Here is your license to speculate. Every prospective reader of your paper will want to hear of
the possible implications of your research. This is the big “so what?” question. Having
conducted this research what are the larger meanings of the results—for the specific
professional situation or for future academic research? What knowledge will you add of the
role of communication in our lives?