Researching Media & Communications (MECM90038)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Students will be introduced to a variety of quantitative and qualitative approaches to researching communications, institutions, technologies, texts and audiences across the complex digital global media landscape. Students will gain practical experience in applying different research methods and data gathering processes, including techniques for semi-structured interviews, content analysis, semiotics, discourse analysis, ethnography, surveys and social media analysis. Students will learn how to conduct a literature review, develop a research question, design a research methodology, identify and collect a data sample, manage and analyse data, and present the findings through the execution of their own research project. Upon completion of the subject, students will have developed an understanding of the key issues, strategies, and ethical responsibilities of media and communications research. To this end, students have the opportunity to develop special insight and expertise into an area of media and communications practice. The subject provides students with critical research skills for application to both industry and scholarly research projects, and equips them for further research subjects offered in the Masters of Global Media program.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Explain the strengths and weaknesses as well as benefits and restrictions of different research methods and approaches.
- Determine the ethical requirements of different research methods.
- Research and write a literature review independently on a chosen topic related to media and communications.
- Design and execute a sustained study of a chosen media and communications text, audience, or platform.
- Gather, manage, and critically analyse a research samples.
- Present scholarly research findings in both oral and written format professionally.
Generic skills
Upon successful completion of this subject, graduates should be able to:
- Reflect on their own use of media and relate this to broader theoretical issues
- Critically analyse the role of contemporary communications lanscape
- Prepare and present their ideas in both verbal and written mode at an intermediate level and in conformity to conventions of academic presentation
- Participate in discussion and group activities and be sensitive to the participation of others.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into the MC-GMCOM Master of Global Media Communication
OR
Head of Program approval is required for enrolment by Community Access Program (CAP), Inbound Exchange/Study Abroad or Incoming Cross-institutional students.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Report phase 1: Case of Inquiry & Literature Review, concluding with a Research Question and suggested method (LO1, LO3)
| Mid semester | 20% |
Report phase 2: Methodology (LO2, LO4)
| Mid semester | 20% |
Report phase 3: students produce a poster of their research project to be discussed in class, equivalent to 500 words (LO6)
| Week 12 | 10% |
Final Research Report: new content to include findings, discussion, and conclusions (LO4, LO5, LO6)
| During the examination period | 50% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures where offered. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Sofya Glazunova Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours: 1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour seminar, taught weekly Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
What do these dates mean
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- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 4 March 2025