Communication 499C - Honors Thesis- Media Effects F

In this Honors capstone class, students will theorize and read about media influence on individuals as well as conceptualize and carry out an original research study on a specific topic of their choosing within the broad research tradition known as "media effects." The first semester of this two-semester, 6-credit experience will feature the introduction of theories and relevant research findings on the ways in which television, video games, the Internet and/or social media, print media and other media forms shape the thoughts, attitudes, emotions, values, and/or behavior of individuals of various ages. Principles and practices related to quantitative research methods traditionally used to carry out inquiries regarding media effects will be introduced and discussed, as well. By the end of the first semester, students will have produced literature review/theory sections of their original research papers as well as a detailed methodology section and the materials they will need (e.g., a questionnaire) to collect their data. The second semester will mainly be organized as a research methods workshop, in which students will continue to develop their Honors thesis research projects, conducting their studies, writing up their findings in a formal Results section, and creating a Discussion section to draw more generalized conclusions. Students will learn the basics of SPSS, a statistical computer package, to analyze their data. The end result will be a comprehensive, rigorous Honors thesis that students will present at the annual Undergraduate Research Conference on campus in late spring 2018 and that satisfies the requirements of the Commonwealth Honors College.

Open to Senior Honors students and Communication Senior Honors students. Instructor Consent Required. Professor Scharrer can be contacted by email at scharrer@comm.umass.edu.