The purpose of this course is to give students the knowledge they need to
critically read the quantitative research in communication.  No
statistical calculation is required. There will be two multiple-choice/
true-false examinations and a required critique of a quantitative research
report.  In-class exercises/activities will include discussion of
published research reports.  Topics to be covered in class lecture and
discussion are:  an overview of empirical research, including definitions
and types, research questions, internal and external validity, operational
definitions of independent and dependent variables, subject selection and
treatment, measurement and observation, mean-median-mode differences and
uses, variance and standard deviation, inferential statistics, measures of
association, and methods of reporting a research study.  In every case
the emphasis will be on the logic involved in the topic, not the
calculation.