research proposal for mass communication

Mass Communication Theory

Mass communication theory: from theory to practical application, beginners guide to the research proposal.

Don’t know how to write or where to start when writing a research proposal? Here is a simple guide to get you thinking in the right direction: I heartily recommend that you cut/paste the sections into your document and use this post a reference in crafting each section.

Success Keys: Overall Quality of the Study

• Good research question (Read the in-depth article on writing qualitative research questions here )
• Appropriate research design
• Rigorous and feasible methods
• Qualified research team

Success Keys:  Quality of the Proposal

• Informative title
• Self-sufficient and convincing abstract
• Clear research questions
• Scholarly and pertinent background and rationale
• Relevant previous work
• Appropriate population and sample
• Appropriate methods of measurement and manipulation
• Quality control
• Adequate sample size
• Sound analysis plan
• Ethical issues well addressed
• Tight budget
• Realistic timetable

Quality of the Presentation

• Clear, concise, well-organized
• Helpful table of contents and subheadings
• Good schematic diagrams and tables
• Neat and free of errors

Research Proposal Elements

• Study Problem
• Relevance of the Project

Literature Review

• Specific Study Objectives
• Study design
• Inclusion/exclusion criteria
• Recruitment plans
• Method of assignment to study groups
• Variables: outcomes, predictors, confounders
• Measures/instruments
• Sample size
• data analysis

Ethical Considerations

Bibliography

A critical summary of research on a topic of interest, generally prepared to put a research problem in context or to identify gaps and weaknesses in prior studies so as to justify a new investigation.

Be sure to:

• Be thorough and complete
• Present a logical case
• Include recent research as justification
• Propose original research (or if duplicating, note that)
• Include primary sources
• Include a critical appraisal of your study
• Build a case for new study

Study Problem (Study Purpose)

Broad statement indicating the goals of the project. This was commonly called the “who gives a shit?” question in my grad program. Ask yourself that simple question and address it. If the answer is “no one,” rethink your study. In your answer be:

Objectives/Research Questions/Hypotheses

Identifying the research problem and developing a question to be answered are the first steps in the research process. The research question will guide the remainder of the design process (read the in-depth article on writing qualitative research questions  here ).

Research Objectives A clear statement of the specific purposes of the study, which identifies the key study variables and their possible interrelationships as well as the nature of the population of interest.

Research Question The specific purpose stated in the form of a question. You study will be the answer to this question.

Hypotheses A tentative prediction or explanation of the relationship between two or more variables. A prediction of the answer to the research question is usually a hallmark of a quantitative study, qualitative studies are usually have far more open ended and don’t always contain predictions.

• Provide reviewers with a clear picture of what you plan to accomplish.
• Show the reviewers that you have a clear picture of what you want to accomplish.
• Form the foundation for the rest of the proposal.
• Will be used to assess the adequacy/appropriateness of the study’s proposed methods.

Keys to Success

• Clear and consistent.
• Key concepts/constructs identified.
• Includes the independent and dependent variables (if applicable).
• Measurable.
• Hypotheses clearly predict a relationship between variables.
• Relevant or novel

Research/Study Designs

The overall plan for obtaining an answer to the research question or for testing the research hypothesis.

Will have been chosen based on:

• Research question/hypothesis.
• Strengths and weaknesses of alternative designs.
• Feasibility, resources, time frame, ethics.
• Type of study: Qualitative, quantitative, or mixed.
• Quantitative/qualitative
• Cross-sectional/longitudinal
• True Experiment/Quasi-Experiment
• Variables, instruments
• Participants: sampling frame, sample size, selection procedures
• Timing of testing/intervention
• Use a diagram
• Must be consistent with objectives/hypotheses.
• Appropriate choice to answer question
• Lack of bias/validity
• Precision/power

Participants

Obviously based on your type of study you may or may not have participants. A content analysis, for example, wouldn’t include this section.

• Who will be studied?
• How will they be selected?
• How will they be recruited?
• How will they be allocated to study groups?

1. Who Will Be Studied:  Specify eligible participants

• Target population: demographic characteristics
• Accessible population: temporal & geographic characteristics
• Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

2. How Will They Be Selected:  Sampling

The process of selecting a portion of the population to represent the entire population.

Types of Sampling

• Simple random sampling
• Stratified random sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Systematic sampling
• Convenience sampling
• Snowball sampling
• Judgmental sampling
• Clear description of study population.
• Appropriate inclusion/exclusion criteria.
• Justification of study population and sampling method (bias).
• Clear description of sampling methods.

3. How Will They Be Recruited?

Describe what methods will be used to recruit participants. Important to document that the study will be feasible and that there will be no ethical problems.

4. How Will They Be Allocated To Study Groups?

Random Allocation: The assignment of participants to treatment conditions in a manner determined by chance alone.

Goal of Randomization: to maximize the probability that groups receiving differing interventions will be comparable.

Methods of randomization

• Drawn from a hat
• Random number table
• Computer generated

Data Collection

Variables: Characteristic or quality that takes on different values.

In Research Identify:

• Dependent or outcome variables (the presumed effect).
• Independent or predictor variables (the presumed cause).
• Note: Variables are not inherently independent or dependent.
• In descriptive and exploratory studies, this distinction is not made.

Measures/Instruments Questionnaire: A method of gathering self-report information from respondents through self-administration of questions in a paper and pencil format (Read the in-depth article on crafting a good survey questionnaire here ).

• Are the words simple, direct and familiar to all?
• Is the question as clear and specific as possible?
• Is it a double-barreled question?
• Does the question have a double negative?
• Is the question too demanding?
• Are the questions leading or biased?
• Is the question applicable to all respondents?
• Can the item be shortened with no loss of meaning?
• Will the answers be influenced by response styles?
• Have you assumed too much knowledge?
• Is and appropriate time referent provided?
• Does the question have several possible meanings?
• Are the response alternatives clear and mutually exclusive (and exhaustive)?

Scale: A composite measure of an attribute, consisting of several items that have a logical or empirical relationship to each other; involves the assignment of a score to place participants on a continuum with respect to the attribute.

Examples of Scales

• Quality of Life
• Customer Satisfaction
• Source Credibility
• Social Economic Status

Criteria for Instrument Selection

• Objective of the study
• Definitions of concept and measuring model
• Reliability: degree of consistency with which an instrument or rater measures a variable (i.e., internal consistency, test-retest reproducibility, inter-observer reliability).
• Validity: degree to which an instrument measures what it is intended to measure (i.e., content validity, concurrent validity and construct validity).
• Sensitivity: ability to detect change.
• Interpretability: the degree to which one can assign qualitative meaning to an instruments quantitative scores.
• Burden or ease of use
• Always pretest questionnaires.
• Always indicate if a questionnaire has been pretested.

Manipulation In experimental research, the experimental treatment or manipulation.

• Careful description of treatment/manipulation
• Be aware of unintended manipulations

Data Analysis

Detail your planned procedures for:

• Recording, storing and reducing data
• Assessing data quality
• Statistical analysis

Step 1: Descriptive statistics

• Describe the shape, central tendency and variability
• Looking at variables one at a time: mean, median, range, proportion
• Summarize important feature of numerical data
• Pick up data entry errors: i.e. 3 genders, age 150
• Characterize participants
• Determine distribution of variables

Assess assumptions for statistical tests: Some statistical tests, such as a t test, are only valid if certain assumptions about the data hold true. For the t test, the assumptions are that the data for the two groups are from populations with a Normal distribution and that the variances of the two populations are the same. Inherent in these two assumptions is that the study sample represents a random sample from the population. These same assumptions hold for tests such as analysis of variance and multiple linear regression. When these assumptions can not safely be believed to be true than alternate, distribution-free, methods can be used. These are called non-parametric tests. Examples of these are the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the rank sum test.

Step 2: Analytic/inferential statistics

• Example: Looking at associations among two or more variables
• Estimate pattern and strength of associations among variables
• Test hypotheses

Sample Size

To make a rough estimate of how many participants required answering the research question. During the design of the study, the sample size calculation will indicate whether the study is feasible. During the review phase, it will reassure the reviewers that not only the study is feasible, but also that resources are not being wasted by recruiting more participants than is necessary.

Hypothesis-based sample sizes indicate the number of participants necessary to reasonably test the study’s hypothesis. Hypotheses can be proven wrong, but they can never be proven correct. This is because the investigator cannot test all potential patients in the world with the condition of interest. The investigator attempts to test the research hypothesis through a sample of the larger population.

• Justify sample size
• Provide data necessary to calculate and state how the sample estimates were obtained, including desired power, Alpha level, one/two-sided tests, estimated effect size.

Many time you’ll need to certify your study with your school’s approval board for research on human subjects, pretty much so you don’t repeat the Stanford Prison Experiment .

• Respect for persons (autonomy)
• Non-maleficence (do not harm)
• Beneficence (do good)
• Justice (exclusion)
• Scientific validity – is the research scientifically sound and valid?
• Recruitment – how and by whom are participants recruited?
• Participation – what does participation in the study involve?
• Harms and benefits – what are real potential harms and benefits of participating in the study?
• Informed consent – have the participants appropriately been asked for their informed consent?

Getting funded is the primary reason for submitting a grant application.

• Read instructions (i.e., overhead, issues not covered, if in doubt call the person in charge of the grants)
• Personnel (salary and benefits)
• Consultants (salary) – Equipment
• Supplies (be complete, include cost per item)
• Other expenses
• Indirect costs
• Do not inflate the costs
• Justify the budget
• Enquire about the granting agency’s range
• Review a successful application
• Start early, pay attention to instructions/criteria
• Carefully develop research team
• Justify decisions
• Have others review your proposal

Present a Works Cited list at the end of your proposal (i.e.: a list of only the works you have summarized, paraphrased, or quoted from in the paper.)

This basic information was available at http://www.ucalgary.ca/ in a sub-page, obviously I’ve added my own editorial and information throughout. But I’ve been unable to locate it, so it’s here for your enjoyment & enlightenment. If you know where I can attribute it please contact me and I’ll be happy to do so.

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6 thoughts on “ Beginners Guide to the Research Proposal ”

Reblogged this on adamkolo's Blog .

Thanks so much. This is very helpful. I am a doctoral student at Capella University and this is very concise.

Glad to help! As a doctoral student if you’d ever like to contribute to the blog please let me know!

Thanks for this info,your post has been of help to me.

Thank you for pulling this information together! I’m in the process of writing my first research proposal and I’m finding your post quite helpful.

Glad to hear it. Always happy to be of help!

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Thesis Proposals

All students should give serious consideration to electing to write a thesis. A thesis involves original research and is a proven method for developing specialized knowledge and skills that can enhance an individual’s expertise within a substantive area of study. A thesis is recommended for students who intend to continue study toward the PhD degree or plan research-related employment. If the thesis option is elected, the student must write the thesis and pass an oral examination on a report of research initiated by the student under the guidance of the major professor. A faculty committee, chaired by the major professor, will evaluate the written report and conduct an oral examination of the candidate.

Thesis Proposal Outline

This sample outline may not be appropriate for some studies. You should decide, in consultation with your major professor, whether to follow the sample outline below or modify it to suit the needs of your particular study. Proposals from former students are available on the department website and can be reviewed to assist you in developing your proposal.

• General background of the subject area
• Specific background for the topic of investigation
• Review of the literature
• Definitions of all key terms
• The hypotheses or questions to be addressed
• Identify and justify the choice of general approach and specific research method
• Subjects (if applicable; describe them and your rationale for their selection)
• Limitations
• Outline of Projected Results
• Potential Conclusions and Implications
• “Working” Bibliography of Sources & Materials

Sample Thesis Proposals

•   Sample 1
•   Sample 2
•   Sample 3

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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Arts and Sciences > Mass Communications > Theses and Dissertations

Mass Communications Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

An Experimental Analysis of the Effect of Crisis Response Message Strategies on Consumer Emotions, Perceptual Beliefs and Intended Behavior , Valentina Ahumada

How the Taiwanese podcast Bailingguo News framed the 2019 Hong Kong movement: A framing analysis of the anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill , Yu-Fei Chiu

Advocating for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Study of the NHL’s #HockeyIsForEveryone Campaign on Twitter , Jessica Martinez

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

An Analysis of International Soccer Fans’ Knowledge of Qatar, Perceptions of Qatar’s Country Image, and Intention to Support the 2022 FIFA World Cup , Taleb Al-Adbah

Analysis of Prescription Drug Brand Mentions in Music: Prevalence and Consumer Perceptions , Lisa A. Blake

Elements of Instagram Influencer Posts that Drive Follower Engagement , Yishan Li

Communicating Breast Cancer Awareness: Using the Health Belief Model to Develop Mass Communication Themes to Influence Early Detection Behaviors , Srisai Kamakshi Ramya Harika Pucha

The European Super League (ESL): A Political Economy and Media Framing Analysis , Patrick Sidwell

Inaugural Addresses, Framing Theory, and the Impact on American Perceptions of the Presidency , Kalin Meagan Velez

The Use of Social Media by Leaders in Times of Crisis: 2020–21 United States Election Protests , Cagdas Yuksel

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

The Influence of Hate Speech on TikTok on Chinese College Students , Tengyue Chen

Cultivating Courage: Medical Dramas and Portrayals of Patient Self-Advocacy , Alyssa H. Harrell

The Media Reproduction of Racial Violence: A Content Analysis of News Coverage Following the Death of George Floyd Jr. , Keylon Lovett

Credibility of Spokespersons and E-cigarette Prevention Messages: Elaboration Likelihood Model and The Moderating Role of Perceived Risk , Emmanuel Maduneme

An Examination of COVID-19 Health Behaviors and Public Health Messaging Using the Health Belief Model and Organization-Public Relationship Quality , Aaron L. Nichols

The Extended Parallel Processing Model (EPPM) and Risk Perceptions of Twitter messages related to COVID-19 , Muhammad E. Rasul

Framing #MeToo movement in China A Content Analysis of China Women’s News Coverage , Wenminzi Wu

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Super Bowl Ads and the Donald Trump Culture War , Jessica Barron

A Case Study on Black Twitter’s Reactions to the Framing of Blacks in Dove’s 2017 Facebook Advertisement , Shereena Farrington

The Roles of Emotional Cues and Purchasing Incentives in WeChat Commerce: A Content Analysis , Xuezhu Hao

People with Parkinson’s and Care Partners of PwPs’ Uncertainty Management Through Information Strategies , Amy Haywood

Asian Male Stereotypes: An Investigation of Current Beliefs About Asian Males and Stereotypes Perpetuated by U.S. Modern Cinema , Noelle Knopp

Developing Design Elements for a Parkinson’s Disease Informative Website: A Social Marketing Approach , Emilie R. Madsen

Evaluation of Native Advertisement though Third Person Effect Theory: An Experimental Design , Inga Nafetvaridze

EPPM and Its Effectiveness in Advertisements of Colorectal Cancer Screening among Young Adults , Anh T. Nguyen

The Role of Threat and Efficacy in Anti-Vaping Ads: A Test of the Extended Parallel Process Model , Ryan Noone

An Experimental Investigation into the Impact of Crisis Response Strategies and Relationship Management in the Pharmaceutical Industry , Nikoletta Pappas

Media Fandom: Social Media Use and Collective Identity in China: A Case Study of Z.Tao’s Weibo Fandom , Mier Sha

'Golden Spike': Examining Atlanta United FC Communications During the Launch of the Team , Maria Tsyruleva

The Role of Influencer Endorsement in Consumer Brand Engagement on Sina Weibo , Xiaofan Wei

One News Event, Three Media Frames , Le Xin

Applying the Situational Theory of Publics to Children's Sex Education in China , Baoyi Zeng

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

The Role of Social Media Journalists in TV News:Their Effects on the Profession and Identity of TV Journalism, the Quality of News, and theAudience Engagement , Yousuf Humiad AL Yousufi

Relationship Management Communications by NHL Teams on Twitter , Kelsey M. Baker

2018 China-United States Trade War: Framing Analysis of Online News Coverage in the United States and China as portrayed by the New York Times and the People’s Daily , Jiangling Huang

The Research on the Determinants of Users' Willingness to Pay for Chinese Paid Sports Model Based on Use and Gratification Theory , Jing Li

Online MMORPG Games in China: Player Motivations and the Mediating Role of Flow , Jiaxin Liu

The Hostile Media Effect and Its Potential Consequences: Examining the Influence of Presumed Influence of International Media Coverage , Zhennan Liu

Womenpreneurs in a Digital Environment: Utilizing Instagram to Build a Personal Brand , Michelle N. Nuñez

Objectification of Women in Bollywood Item Numbers , Zahabia Z. Slatewala

A Research on eSports Users’ Motives and Satisfaction in China The Case of League of Legends , Qianyin Sun

An Analysis of the Language and the Relationship of the President of the USA Related Twitter Accounts toward the National Media , Sait Serif Turhan

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Perception of Kazakhstan in the U.S through the New York Times Coverage , Tursynay Alikhanova

The Influence of Instagram Selfies on Female Millennials’ Appearance Satisfaction , Diliara Bagautdinova

Women’s Body Image in the Media: Fitspiration on Instagram , Brook M. Bryant

Political Talk Shows in Taiwan: First- and Third-Person Effects, Their Attitudinal Antecedents and Consequences , Shou-Chen Hsieh

An Examination of Image Repair Theory and BP’s Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill , William Anthony Korte Jr.

An Analysis of Organ Donation Presentations on Weibo , Shengfei Li

Gender Sexualization in Digital Games: Exploring Female Character Changes in Tomb Raider , Jingjing Liu

Shithole Countries: An Analysis of News Coverage in the U.S. , Murewa O. Olubela

Self-esteem, motivation, and self-enhancement presentation on WeChat , Xiao Qiu

The Portrayal of Women in the Oldest Russian Women’s Magazine “Rabotnitsa” From 1970-2017 , Anastasiia Utiuzh

Cultural Adaptation and Maintenance: Chinese International Students' Use of Facebook and WeChat , Mengni Wang

The Understanding of Absolute Right to Freedom of Expression in the Case of Hate Speech , Qinqin Wang

Body Image, Self-Esteem and Eating Disturbance among Chinese Women: Testing the Tripartite Influence model , Weiwei Wang

I’m Your Fan – Engaging in Celebrity’s Social Media Page with the Mediation of Parasocial Interaction and Parasocial Relationship , Jiahui Zhuang

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Household Food Waste Prevention in Malaysia: An Issue Processes Model Perspective , Syahirah Abd Razak

Countering the Questionable Actions of the CPD and FEC , Brian C. Cole

“You Know Who I Am, Don’t You? I’m the One They’re Writing About in the Newspapers and on TV” , Casey Killen Crane

To Tell the Truth: The Credibility of Cable News Networks In an Era of Increasingly Partisan Political News Coverage , Christopher Jadick

Political Media Bias in the United States: Immigration and the Trump Administration , Bryce Josepher

Social Media Use and Political Participation in China: The Mediating Role of Political Efficacy , Bingyang Liu

Framing Genetically-modified Foods Communication in China: A Content Analysis of News Coverage of People’s Daily and Southern Metropolis , Linqi Lu

Conceptualizing Social Wealth in the Digital Age: A Mixed Methods Approach , Kristina Oliva

The Road to the White House: A Correlational Analysis of Twitter Sentiment and National Polls in the 2016 Election Cycle , Melissa G. Pelletier

Using Green Messages to Cue Recycling Tendencies , Danielle Quichocho

Traversing Privacy Issues on Social Networking Sites Among Kuwaiti Females , Shahad Shihab

Chinese National Identity and Media Framing , Yufeng Tian

Smog Pollution in China: News Framing and Issue-Attention Cycle per the , Yingying Zhang

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Corporate Social Responsibility Communication: Beliefs in Motives, First- and Third-Person Effects and Behavioral Consequences , Nianyuan Cheng

Crimean Referendum: Annexation VS Reunification. Framing Analysis of Online News Coverage in Russia and the U.S. , Anna Dedova

Investigating the Determinants of Recycling Behavior in Youth by Using Theory of Planned Behavior. , Tejaswini Gadiraju

Media Perceptions on Sexual Assault on College Campuses , Maggie M. Hall

The Impact of Emojis and Emoticons on Online Consumer Reviews, Perceived Company Response Quality, Brand Relationship, and Purchase Intent. , Jayme Hill Hill

Media Multitasking and Memory: The Role of Message Modalities , Le Nguyen

Cultivating Philanthropy in Community Colleges: A Dual-Model Approach , Rachel Faith Pleasant

Avatar Self-Identification, Self-Esteem, and Perceived Social Capital in the Real World: A Study of World of Warcraft Players and their Avatars , Melissa Watts

The Effects of Mission Statement Design on Behavioral Intention , Jonathan David West

Impact of a Brand Crisis on Nation Branding: An Analysis of Tweets about VW’s Emissions Crisis , Kara Julie Whytas

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Responding to a Rumor: How Crisis Response Strategies Influence Relationship Outcomes , Bo Breuklander

Crisis Communication and Celebrity Scandal: An Experiment on Response Strategies , Leah Champion

Speaking Their Language: Textisms in Today's Communication , Adam Lloyd Drum

Direct-to-Consumer Messaging: A Phenomenological Examination of DTC Best Practices , Nicholas Dominick Fancera

Examining Endorsement and Viewership Effects on the Source Credibility of YouTubers , Stephanie Fred

The Cultivation of Eating Disorders through Instagram , Kendall O'Brien

Online Game Advertising and Chinese College Students: Attitudes, First- and Third-Person Effects , Yan Tang

On the Convergence of Cinema and Theme Parks: Developing a Predictable Model for Creative Design , Ryan Luke Terry

I Threw My Pie for You: Engagement and Loyalty on TV Show Facebook Pages , Tracy M. Wisneski

First- and Third-Person Effects of Alcohol Advertising on Chinese College Students , Dong Xue

Framing Occupy Central: A Content Analysis of Hong Kong, American and British Newspaper Coverage , Mengjiao Yu

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Climate Change, Situational Theory of Problem Solving, and Issue Framing Effects , Michael Eddie Burch

British Cultural Narrative in Winston Churchill's Political Communication , Andres L. Faza

Communication Behavior Study of Support in the Arts Using the Situational Theory of Publics and the Theory of Reasoned Action , Ashleigh Gallant

A Comparison Study on Violent Video Games: Explained by the Gamers Themselves , Christopher John Kneifer

Applying Public Relations Theory to Assess Service-Learning Relationships , Karen Strand

EFFECTS OF COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, COUNTRY ANIMOSITY AND FOREIGN PRODUCT USAGE EXPERIENCES ON PRODUCT JUDGEMENT: A STUDY OF CHINESE CUSTOMERS , Cong Sui

The Accidental Motivator: Florida's Medicinal Marijuana Ballot Initiative's Impact on the Youth Vote , Robert Winsler

An Examination of Motives, Experiences, and Behaviors of MMORPG Players , Theresa Lynn Woods

Social Media Use During The College Transition , Kevin J. Yurasek

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Media and USF Students' Perception of Terrorism , Mamdoh Suleiman Al-Ameri

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Preparing a proposal

Although your proposal will be assessed by subject specialists, please bear in mind that non-specialists are also involved in the admissions process and that decisions about studentship awards are likely to be taken by academics from different disciplinary backgrounds.

You should ensure, therefore, that the aims, structure and outline content of the proposed research are comprehensible to a broad academic audience.

Proposals should up to 5000 words long (at least 5 -7 double-spaced pages). You will be expected to situate your research within relevant scholarly literatures and to provide a full reference list. In particular, the proposal should include:

1. A statement of aims

These should outline the purposes of the research with reference to the general field and/or problematic you wish to examine.

2. The contribution

The contribution that the research intends to make to existing knowledge.

3. Rationale which demonstrates why the contribution is valuable

A rationale for the research which demonstrates why the intended contribution is interesting or valuable – if similar research has been done, why is a new approach necessary; if your research fills a gap in the literature, why should it be filled?

4. Discussion of the theoretical approach and/or the conceptual framework or analysis

You should indicate here what the primary structure of the research will be and what issues/concepts/ideas/policies or events will be discussed or analysed within it. If you intend to work to a hypothesis, you should state what this is.

5. Reflection on methodology

A reflection on methodology which shows how the assumptions of the research will be addressed in the analysis and why they are appropriate to it.

6. Discussion of the sources

A discussion of the sources – eg. interviews/published or unpublished data/archival or policy documents. If you intend to conduct field work you should give details. In all cases you should be as specific as you can and assess the possibility of access to relevant sources.

7. Research methods

A discussion of the research methods you will use to analyse your sources – eg. sampling, survey or interview design, data collection, discourse analysis.

8. Indication of study skills

An indication of your study skills: necessary language competence, familiarity with interview techniques/data processing etc.  

9. Chapter plan

A provisional chapter plan which shows how you intend to develop the argument of the thesis.

10. Research plan

A provisional research plan which indicates how you intend to schedule necessary research methods training/field or archival work/data design or collection.

100 Communication Research Topics

Table of contents

• 1 What Is Communication Research?
• 2.1 Top Research Topic Ideas
• 2.2 Research Topics for College Students
• 2.3 Business-Focused Research Topics
• 2.4 Social Media Research Topics
• 2.5 Mass Communication Research Topics
• 2.6 Interpersonal Communication Research Topics
• 2.7 Intercultural Communication Research Topics
• 2.8 Virtual Communication Research Topics
• 2.9 Health-Related Research Topics
• 2.10 Interesting Communication Research Topics
• 3 Coming up with a Thesis Statement
• 4.1 How to Create Strong Questions for Your Paper?
• 4.2 How to Find the Right Research Topics?
• 4.3 What Makes a Research Paper Topic Strong?
• 4.4 Tips for Structuring and Writing Your Paper
• 5 Conclusion

All fields of study have fresh and intriguing new research paper topics to explore. Within the subject of communication, there are loads of possibilities for research papers . This is thanks to the development of mass media and the growing popularity of various modern communication methods.

This article covers a broad range of effective research paper topics that are both interesting and relevant for this field. Any of them would make a suitable focal point for any research paper to do with how we interact with one another.

What Is Communication Research?

This is the study of how we interact with one another. It includes how the way we interact is affected by technology, culture, and individual differences. Researchers in this field use a variety of methods to study the way we converse and interact with each other, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and experiments.

Research in this area can be used to improve communication skills in personal relationships, in the workplace, and in other settings.

Lists of Key Communication Research Topics

The range of research paper topics in this field is extensive, to say the least. Below are 100 relevant topics that are arranged in groups of 10.

They cover a broad selection of modern communication issues and debates, from corporate and computer mediated communication to effective interpersonal communication, communication strategies, and more.

Top Research Topic Ideas

The topics in this first group mostly focus on how different factors impact the way we interact with one another. These are some of the key issues in the communication discipline today.

• The role communication plays in organizations.
• How technology influences it.
• The way globalization affects it.
• How it’s influenced by broadcast media.
• Ways in which advertising impacts it.
• The influence propaganda has on it.
• How it’s impacted by public relations.
• The effects of international journalism and journalism ethics on it.
• How the use of social media influences it.
• How it’s affected by language.

Research Topics for College Students

These topics are ideal for college students. They focus on how communication processes can influence someone’s mental health and personality traits. Both of these are important since they can influence a student’s academic progress.

• How does communication shape our identities?
• How do we use it to build relationships?
• What role does it play in influencing our emotions?
• How is our thinking influenced by it?
• In what ways do we use it to manage conflict?
• How is our behavior influenced by it?
• What factors influence the effectiveness of communication?
• In what way is it impacted by technology?
• What influences do cultural differences have on it?
• How does it shape our physical and mental health?

Business-Focused Research Topics

Having effective business communication is necessary for any sort of commercial activity to improve its marketing value. Both business to business communication and interactions with the public have to get the right message across. Below are some potential areas to do with organizational communication and public relations.

• The impact of new communication technologies.
• The use of social media and external communication.
• What effects does globalization have?
• How organizational communication is used in virtual teams.
• The impact that intercultural communication has.
• The way humor is used.
• What are the effects of gender?
• How we use non-verbal communication.
• The effect that technology has on corporate communication etiquette.
• The way we use business communication in crisis situations.

Social Media Research Topics

The focus of these topics is on social media, and it affects the way we communicate with one another. Using social media and being exposed to social media marketing can both have significant effects on practical communication skills. These topics focus on the way modern digital platforms influence our interactions.

• The effect of social media on communication practices and patterns.
• How social media changes relationship development.
• What influence does social media have on how people interact with each other?
• The effect of social media on the way people share information.
• How social media impacts the way people interact with businesses.
• The effect of social media on the way people interact with governments through proper communication channels.
• What consequences does social media have on online interactions?
• The effect that social media has on the way people interact with each other offline.
• Social media’s influence on the way people interact with each other in different cultures.
• What effects does social media have on the way people interact with each other in different age groups?

Mass Communication Research Topics

Mass communication is when you share information with a large number of people at the same time. Topics to do with mass communication are very relevant, thanks to the internet, social media platforms, and other kinds of mass media. The purpose of mass media is simply to inform loads of people about something as quickly and conveniently as possible.

• What effect do social media platforms have on mass communication?
• How does new technology affect it?
• The impact that advertising has on it.
• How news media influences it.
• Ways in which propaganda impacts it.
• The influence that public relations have on it.
• How it’s impacted by digital media and print media.
• Globalization’s impact on it.
• How new forms of media affect it.
• The ways it’s influenced by social networking.

Interpersonal Communication Research Topics

This is a broad term that refers to the exchanging of information between people. It’s when you use effective communication skills to share thoughts, ideas, and facts with at least one other person. The topics in this section look at some of the latest interpersonal communication trends.

• The effect of technology on interpersonal communication.
• The effect of culture on it.
• How gender influences it.
• The effect of age on it.
• How someone’s interaction style may impact it.
• The way context may influence it.
• How relationships can influence it.
• How it can be influenced by social apprehension.
• The effect of social competence on it.
• How it’s impacted by satisfaction.

Intercultural Communication Research Topics

This is when people from different cultures exchange information. Things like different languages, traditions, and even artifacts affect intercultural communication. The topics below look at intercultural communication and how culture shapes the many ways we interact with one another.

• How culture influences the ways we interact with one another.
• The impact of intercultural communication styles on relationships.
• How culture impacts our perceptions of interaction.
• The effect that interaction has on business relationships.
• How culture influences the way we interpret nonverbal communication.
• The impact of culture on our way of interpreting speech.
• How culture influences our information processing.
• The way culture impacts our process of making decision.
• The impact of culture on how we solve problems.
• How culture influences our interactions with others.

Virtual Communication Research Topics

Are virtual communication skills essential? You have to be just as proficient at virtual dialogue as you are at spoken words. Mastering interactive online communication is key for anyone who wants to succeed, and the topics below delve into this further.

• The impact on the development of personal relationships.
• The use of virtual dialogue in the business world.
• How it influences the way we think and learn.
• The benefits of virtual communication for people with social anxiety.
• The way it’s used in education.
• How it impacts our mental health.
• Ways in which it influences family relationships.
• How it’s used in the workplace.
• The effect it has on relationships.
• The advantages and disadvantages of virtual communication.

Health-Related Research Topics

It’s essential to have effective communication strategies in any sort of healthcare setting. Having interpersonal communication competence is vital so that practitioners can speak with patients clearly and effectively. The topics below look at how internal and external communication in the healthcare industry affects and is affected by different factors.

• The effectiveness of health communication campaigns in changing health behaviors.
• The impact of social media on interactions in the health industry.
• How humor is used in it.
• How storytelling is used in it.
• What effects it has on reducing health disparities.
• What effects it has on increasing health literacy.
• How new media technologies are used in it.
• How it influences public health outcomes.
• The role it plays in health education.
• The impact it has on patient satisfaction.

Interesting Communication Research Topics

This last batch of topics looks at how both spoken words and non-verbal communication affect different things. Some of the topics are about how we interact with one another in different areas of life.

• The impact of new communication technology on social interactions.
• The way it is used in the workplace.
• How we use it in education.
• Ways in which it is used in marketing.
• How people use it in healthcare.
• The way it affects personal relationships.
• The effects it has on organizational cultures.
• How it impacts individual productivity.
• Its effects on consumer behavior.
• The influences it has on the environment.
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Coming up with a Thesis Statement

Once you have come up with a potential research topic, you should start writing. Your first step is to write an effective thesis statement .

Your thesis statement is the argument or main point you want to make about your topic. It’s a summary of what your paper is going to be about. The purpose of it is to show the reader what you will be discussing and invite them to read your work.

Once you have your thesis statement, start writing your paper. Make sure to include evidence from scholarly sources to support your work.

Topic Selection and Writing Tips

How to create strong questions for your paper.

This question doesn’t have a single answer, as the best way to create strong questions for your paper will vary depending on the specific research project and its goals.

However, some tips on how to create strong questions include:

• Start by thinking about the specific goals of your research project. What are you trying to learn or understand?
• Draft a few potential research questions that can help you answer your goals. Be sure to make them as specific as possible.
• Test your research questions by asking them to others to see if they are clear and understandable. Are they interesting to people outside of your field of study?
• Revise and refine your research questions as needed. Be sure to keep them concise and easy to understand.

How to Find the Right Research Topics?

When writing a communication research paper, first, you should decide what topic you want to learn more about.

• Do the effects of social media and mass media on communication interest you?
• What about the role of communication in a competitive global business environment?
• What is the impact of new technology on the ways we exchange information?
• Whether effective communication is necessary to ensure credible reporting?
• How do improved relations make broadcasting media laws effective?

Once you have a general topic in mind, you can begin to narrow it down by focusing on a specific aspect of this field that interests you.

For example, if you are interested in the communication importance in a business market, you might want to focus on the impact of effective business interactions on employee productivity or customer satisfaction.

Alternatively, you could look at how private media ownership is affecting mass media, bringing journalism ethics into the discussion, and how journalists are ensuring credible reporting.

What Makes a Research Paper Topic Strong?

There is no one answer to this question, as it depends on the individual and the specific research goals. However, some factors that could make a research topic strong include its relevance to current events or real-world issues, its potential to generate new and innovative ideas, and its ability to generate interesting and valuable research findings.

Additionally, a strong topic should be interesting and engaging to read and write about, and it should be something that the researcher can be passionate about.

Tips for Structuring and Writing Your Paper

When writing communication research papers, it is important to structure your argument in a manner that’s clear and concise. Your paper should have a clear research paper introduction , body, and conclusion. Within the body of your paper, there should be a strong thesis statement, evidence that supports your argument, and a conclusion summarizing your argument.

Additionally, throughout the research paper writing process, it is significant to use clear and concise language. Use communication tips to help you put your own points across more effectively.

Deciding what to focus your research paper doesn’t have to be daunting. There are a huge number of research topics available. Finding the right one is easy.

First, think about the ideas that interest you the most. Which part of communication studies are you most passionate about? Is it media ethics, mass media, or something else?

When you’ve settled on one of the research topic ideas , start the research paper writing process. Find key sources such as books and academic articles. Think about what needs addressing in your research paper.

Now, it’s time for you to produce an excellent communication research paper.

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Research M.A.

The Research M.A. focuses on developing tools in mass communication research and typically leads to enrollment in a doctoral program. Coursework should provide background and training in an appropriate mixture of communication theory and analytical tools; solid grasp of theory and methods should be evident in the student’s M.A. thesis. The student defends the thesis before a three-person certification committee in an oral examination at the end of the program.

Degree Requirements

• Minimum of 30 graduate credits (courses numbered 300 and above). Students must earn at least 16 credits at UW–Madison.
• Students must maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA in all graduate work and successfully defend a master’s thesis.

The program must include:

• Two 800- or 900-level courses in journalism and mass communication
• Twelve graduate credits (minimum) in journalism and mass communication
• Six graduate credits (minimum) outside of journalism and mass communication

Suggested Timeline

• Thesis proposal at end of second semester of coursework
• Proposal meeting with committee before research begins
• Defense of thesis at end of fourth semester after admission

Criteria for Satisfactory Progress

• Master’s students must earn a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average by the end of the second semester in residence and must maintain that GPA for the duration of the degree program. Grades in courses numbered 300 and above count toward the GPA.
• Master’s students who earn grades of “incomplete” must remove those grades in the semester following their occurrence. A request for a waiver of this rule may be granted in rare cases. Waiver requests should be submitted to the Journalism and Mass Communication Graduate Committee.
• Master’s students must maintain steady progress toward completion of the degree. Full-time master’s students can expect to spend 1.5 to 2 years earning the degree. The time to degree completion varies for part-time students.
• Master’s students must satisfy all  Graduate School degree requirements .

The Review Board

The Journalism and Mass Communication Graduate Committee constitutes the review board for the M.A. degree. The review board is charged with all final decisions as to satisfactory progress. A review of each student’s progress is made at the end of each semester and, in cases where student performance has not met satisfactory progress criteria, a letter is sent to the student and faculty advisor. Students who receive such a letter have a maximum of four weeks to provide a written response concerning any special reasons or circumstances relevant to their failure to meet the satisfactory progress criteria. The Review Board will examine all cases involving lack of satisfactory progress to determine appropriate action. A finding of “unsatisfactory progress” by the Review Board may be grounds for a one-semester probation, suspension of funding (if applicable) or dismissal from the graduate program, at the Review Board’s discretion.

Please review the  M.A. Handbook  for specific policies and procedures.

Graduate School Degree Requirements

M.A. Handbook (PDF)

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Communication Research Proposals Samples For Students

240 samples of this type

If you're seeking a possible way to streamline writing a Research Proposal about Communication, WowEssays.com paper writing service just might be able to help you out.

For starters, you should skim our vast directory of free samples that cover most various Communication Research Proposal topics and showcase the best academic writing practices. Once you feel that you've figured out the basic principles of content organization and drawn actionable ideas from these expertly written Research Proposal samples, developing your own academic work should go much smoother.

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Thesis statement: Various implications of the representation of race and ethnicity in popular culture and its impact on intercultural communications The paper will discuss about the facts relating to intercultural communication and how the representation of race and ethnicity on popular media and society influences this communication. (Gray, John, 2000)

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178 Communication Research Topics For Your Paper

Imagine what the world would be without communication! How would we get along? I guess there would be no sense in existing after all. That is just a tiny snippet of how important communication is in everyday life. Exchanging information is a key component of coexistence as it creates order and a sense of satisfaction in the end.

However, communication as a discipline cuts across all other niches in the academic world. Students from an Engineering course would also take up communication as a unit of study. Students delve into the transmission, representation, reception, and decoding of information communicated to a greater extent.

Situations When You May Need To Write A Communication Paper

Various scenarios call for a communication paper either as an assignment or a research project in college. The communication papers needed for every situation vary in format and outline. Here are some of the cases when communication papers are necessary:

When writing a resume or cover letter In presentations and reports Internal or external communication in a company Writing a thesis statement

When writing communication papers in these different scenarios, students can develop the following aspects:

Understand the various communication phenomena Ability to direct communication messages towards accomplishing individual and organizational goals Understand various types of communication such as rhetoric, interpersonal or organizational

Such an assignment is peculiar because it deals with students’ communication processes. Therefore, the student can easily relate a communication assignment to the real-world environment.

You will have to conduct extensive digging before writing your paper like any other research project. In writing a communication research paper, you will benefit from the importance of communication in general, such as building better relationships and finding the right solutions to various problems.

It takes a lot of time to create a high-quality writing, so you have all the right to ask dissertation writers for hire to help.

Guidelines On Structure And Step By Step Tips On Writing

To have an award-winning communication paper, you need to understand that structure is always at the heart of it all. A great communication paper follows the structure below:

Solid intro : Begin by presenting a captivating introduction by highlighting the facts, questions, or problems that you will explore in the body. The reader should find more than a million reasons to proceed with your essay by reading the first two lines. A strong thesis statement is also necessary for the introduction. An insightful literature review : It shows the theoretical basis of your research project, thus giving it validity. An in-depth literature review will give room for exploration and further research. Main body : This is where we expect to find all your findings, methodological steps, concepts, analyses, and the outcome. Discussion and conclusion : Depending on your professor’s instructions, you can divide this into two parts or put it as one. In either case, this section will consist of the strengths and weaknesses of your research and any future development or improvements. You could also compare the results found in your research with what other authors have discovered.

Provided you have all your facts at hand, a communication research paper will be the easiest you will ever handle in college. Nonetheless, you can order a custom paper from various online writing experts.

If you want to make an impression with your communication research paper, here are some tips to consider:

Select a thought-provoking and captivating research topic Have a working outline with all the arguments and examples/evidence in place Ensure that you exhaust reading all the possible research materials on your topic Such papers are always in the first person except in unique cases

You can review some of the samples on our essay writer to familiarize yourself with the structure and outline of a communication research paper.

Let’s now explore 178 of the hottest communication research topics to ace your project:

Top Interpersonal Communication Research Topics

• Evaluate the different relational patterns of interaction theory
• How to achieve coordinated management of meaning
• Discuss the fundamentals of pedagogical communication
• How does technology relate to interpersonal communication?
• Key constructs of openness and closeness
• Establishing identities in the identity management theory
• Evaluate the contribution of interpersonal communication scholars
• How mental representations influence how people interpret information
• Conceptualizing the process of social interaction
• Discuss the various behavioral interaction patterns among siblings
• Why do individuals modify their communicative behavior?
• Describe why new environments present a challenge for most people to communicate effectively
• The role of eye contact and gestures in interpersonal communication
• Varying effects of nonverbal and verbal acts of interpersonal communication
• Effects of different cultures on interpersonal communication strategies

World-Class Communication Research Topics For College Students

• Understanding the historical research methods in communication
• Discuss the relationship between technology, media, and culture
• Evaluate the various revolutions in human communication
• Discuss the developments made in the invention of human speech and language
• The role of image-making, cinema, and media entertainment in communication
• How to overcome communication barriers among students
• Steps in encouraging participation in meetings
• How employees contribute to the information flow in organizations
• How to evaluate a report based on its findings
• Sources of error during nonverbal communication
• How the media can match the channels of communication to their audience
• Ensuring audience attention during a presentation
• The impact of graphics in communication strategies
• How to interpret non-verbal signals
• Developing communication methods that match a given purpose

Possible Topics For Communication Research

• How to develop realistic communication strategies
• Discuss the economics of finance in communication processes
• How exposure to radio and TV impacts communication
• How to manage controversial issues in communication
• Why speaking with confidence is still difficult for many people
• The effectiveness of communicating with words and body language
• Why defining your purpose is key in any communication process
• Why explanatory communication is more difficult than informative communication
• The place of communication in long-distance relationships
• Communication strategies that influence people
• How to use communication effectively for conflict resolution
• Developing your self-esteem for effective communication
• Effects of redundancy in communication processes
• The place of responsibility in developing communication messages
• How to acquire effective communication skills in college

Latest Communication Topic For Research

• The role of persuasive dialogue in negotiations
• Why everyone must learn proper expression strategies
• Effects of emoji and other characters in enhancing textual conversations
• The role of propaganda in shaping communication tones
• Evaluate the unique political language used in America versus Africa
• The continuing impact of the internet on interpersonal communication
• How images are enhancing communication
• Discuss the effects of gender victimization on communication
• Evaluate the development of modern digital communication
• How to effectively communicate during a war or crisis
• How hacking is transforming communication of encrypted messages
• Effects of stereotyping in developing communication messages
• Is virtual reality ruining effective communication?
• Evaluate language as a barrier in communicating messages
• The role of empathy in communicating to victims of a disaster

Top-Notch Communication Research Paper Topics

• The role of diplomacy in fostering better relations among countries
• Why aided communication may not achieve the intended purpose
• Effects of using a translator in the communication of critical messages
• Evaluate the development of audio-visual devices for communication
• The dangers of failing to notice barriers to communication
• How stigma and prejudice impact effective communication
• Discuss the impact of having a common language in a country
• How social classes affect communication messages
• Factors that hinder communication between fighting political sides
• How to develop strong communication skills in a marketplace
• Why opinions may prevent one from seeing the true picture
• Discuss the role of fantasy and exaggeration in communication
• Differences between oral and verbal messages in conveying information
• The role of attitude and mood in enhancing effective message delivery
• How the media sets the communication pattern of a given society

Highly Rated Mass Communication Research Topics

• Discuss the essence of social media among PR practitioners
• The role of mass media in rebranding a nation
• Challenges to media freedom and their impact on proper communication
• Discuss the effects of news commercialization and their credibility
• How TV advertisements impact children and their development
• Compare and contrast between animation and real-people adverts in mass media
• How the internet affects professionalization in news media
• How mass media messages contribute to the development of religion in Africa
• Evaluate the radio listenership patterns between men and women
• How does mass media contribute to an emerging democracy
• Discuss how the media enlightens the public on issues of concern
• The role of mass media in communicating development messages
• Why mass media is critical before, during, and after elections
• Assess the influence of community radio in remote areas
• How mass media contributes to national integration

Good Communication Research Topics

• What determines consumer preference patterns in the 21 st century?
• Effective communication strategies for creating awareness against drug abuse
• Prospects and challenges of local dialects in communication
• Evaluate the influence of television on public opinion
• Discuss the growing cyberactivism in the digital age
• How social media is contributing to misleading information
• Challenges facing teachers when communicating to pre-school students
• Discuss the impact of information overload on the credibility of information
• Evaluate communication patterns among the youth in the US
• Assess the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on communication patterns
• How public perception influences communication strategies
• Explain how mothers learn to communicate with and understand their babies at such a tender age
• The role of music in shaping communication models
• How to overcome the challenge of top-down communication in companies
• Management of information on online media for effective use

Business Communication Research Paper Topics

• Discuss the increasing role of influencers on brand marketing
• Why company blogs are essential in attracting new clients
• Evaluate the differences between face to face and virtual business meetings
• The growing popularity of social media in business marketing
• Why every company should have a partner relations department
• Dealing with complaints in a relaxed and useful manner
• Why online project management is the future of business
• Discuss why it is necessary to have company retreats
• Explore the role of digital document sharing in speeding up business communication
• Effects of relying on online communication at the expense of physical meetings
• The role of effective business management in the performance of an organization
• How staff motivation improve the overall working environment
• Discuss the place of corporate social responsibility in a company
• Effective ways of handling crisis in a large company
• Explain why trust is important in any business partnerships

Intercultural Communication Research Topics

• Discuss how Muslims interact with Christians at a social level
• Evaluate the reception of instructions from a man to a woman
• How Americans interact with Africans at the basic level
• Discuss how an American Democrat would associate with a Chinese politician
• Discuss the impact of marginalization in developing communication messages
• How migration and immigration affect communication patterns
• Effects of social stereotyping in communication
• How do Western communication models differ from those of Africa?
• Impact of discriminatory communication messages
• How to organize an effective intergroup come-together
• How the media represents various groups in its communication
• Effects of the growing intercultural norms
• The role of language attitudes in inhibiting effective communication
• Evaluate how ethnographic perspectives affect communication messages
• Why it is difficult to solve intercultural conflicts

Additional Interpersonal Communication Topics For Research Paper

• The role of interpersonal communication in team member satisfaction
• How collaboration and teamwork enhances business success
• Discuss how interpersonal communication enhances problem-solving skills
• The role of trust in interpersonal communication
• Effects of confusion, negativity, and conflicts on interpersonal communication
• How to deal with workplace miscommunication effectively
• The role of personalizing information
• How to improve internal communication channels in a company
• Discuss the role of interests in communication patterns
• Challenges when implementing modern communication solutions
• Evaluate how jargon and inattention make internal communication difficult
• The role of feedback in interpreting messages correctly
• Discuss the influence of environmental factors in communication
• Why miscommunication may result in a disconnect among a group of people
• Discuss the role of skills and knowledge in effective communication among leaders

Interesting Communication Research Topics

• How can effective interpersonal communication be a catalyst for action
• Why a focused and intentional approach is necessary for effective communication
• Discuss why online dating is not successful in most cases
• Evaluate the role of non-verbal communication and customer satisfaction
• Why is it important to have a list of communication networks?
• Effects of lack of personal contact when it comes to communication
• Discuss the various forms of human interactions and their influence on communication
• The role of clear communication during an organizational change process
• Why online communication is not as effective as physical meetings
• Evaluate the roles and issues involved in a nurse-patient communication
• The role of TV shows in determining how people relate to each other in the society
• Effects of the digital divide in communication paradigms
• The relationship between quality leadership and effective communication
• Why is email still not yet an effective communication medium?
• Effects of integrating marketing communication

General Communication Studies Research Topics

• Discuss the differences in body language between male and female
• The role of communication in familiarizing with someone
• How online gaming communication affects one’s interpersonal communication
• Why a leader without proper communication skills may not succeed
• The role of communication in achieving an organization’s vision
• How mobile phone conversations are turning around interpersonal communication
• Discuss the role of different personality types in communication
• Is there a difference between language and communication?
• Discuss how communication in the military is different from that in a normal setting
• Compare and contrast between written and spoken forms of communication
• Why family communication is critical for a peaceful coexistence
• Shortcomings to understanding foreign languages
• Discuss the effectiveness of web-based communication

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Mass Communication

Bachelor of science.

The study of mass communication is an investigation into how messages are created, shared, and incorporated into everyday life and society. 

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About the Program

As a Mass Communication major, you’ll learn to tell stories that engage and inspire others, and explore why messages work - and what to do when they don’t. In classes and internships, you’ll: 

• Investigate how messages are created, shared and incorporated into everyday life and society 
• Take classes with mass communication experts , and faculty with extensive experience as journalists and media professionals
• Study real-world examples of mass communication and dissect how and why they were created 
• Conduct research to better understand which messages work, why and how 
• Test your knowledge by creating your own messages using the School’s state-of-the art production spaces

Required Courses

Introduction to Mass Media

Media Writing

History of Mass Communication

Mass Communication Law & Ethics

One of the following:

Methods of Media Criticism  and Critical Media Theory OR Mass Communication Research Methods and Mass Communication Theory

Sample Electives

Race, Class and Gender in Media

Talking Science

The Image of the Journalist in Popular Culture

Academic Internship

Special Topics in Mass Communication

Explore the Undergraduate Bulletin

Your future is bright in a growing field

Communication professionals are increasingly in demand, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that tens of thousands of new communication jobs will be added to the economy in the next decade.

With a mass communication degree from Stony Brook, you will graduate with the analytical skills employers are looking for, a portfolio to grab their attention, and the professional contacts to help you launch your career. By the time you graduate, you will be prepared to succeed in a range of professional opportunities in media.

Your knowledge and research skills will also set you up for success if you choose to continue your education in graduate or professional school.

Not Sure Yet?

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Quiz: Which Major is Right for Me?

Seamless transfer pathways

Students from Dutchess and Suffolk community colleges can transfer seamlessly into the Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication program at Stony Brook.

To learn more, contact your community college advisor or Stony Brook Academic & Transfer Advising Services . 

To have your communication or communication-related courses evaluated, contact Undergraduate Program Director and Associate Dean Irene Virag . 

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Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication (BA MC)

The Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication (BAMC) programme generally aims at preparing students to work in Mass Communication or other related media fields. It will enable them work in dynamic environments regardless of the political, social or economic situations. Students will be equipped with skills necessary to deal with democratic and political communication processes, economic and social development domains, and most importantly to keep them abreast of evolving communication technologies and advertising techniques.

Programme Summary

Course Name : Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication

Course Initials : BAMC

Duration : 3-6 Years

Total Units : At least 39

Mode of Delivery : Blended

Programme Informations

Option (I): Direct Entry Scheme (Form VI) Qualifications

Possession of Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) or equivalent, with at least four passes in approved subjects, And He/she has obtained at least two principal passes with a total of 4.0 points in any subjects in the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE).

Option (II) Equivalent Qualifications

Any Diploma recognized by TCU with an average of ‘ B’ or GPA of 3.0 with not less than four passes at ‘ O’ Level

OR Certificate in Foundation Programme (ANY) offered by the Open University of Tanzania with at least GPA of 3.0.

OR Bachelor’s degree/Advanced Diploma from a recognised University/Institution

Level 2 (year 2)

Level 3 (year 3)

b:  Tuition Fees per Unit (or per 10 credits) for Bachelor Degree Programmes

Ms. Kahenga Dachi

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 0714019628

The Mass Communication programme is designed to prepare learners to acquire competences in mass communication research, communication planning, development communication, interplay between mass media and gender issues and reporting for various media outlets. Ultimately, the programme is expected to produce competent mass communication professionals who can produce outstanding media products, coordinate, plan, implement and evaluate communication efforts for maximum end results.

The distribution of marks for each course is 30% for Main Timed Test (MTT) and 70% for Annual Examination (AE). At the end of each academic year, a student failing a course or more than one course is allowed to take a supplementary examination in the failed subject(s). If the student fails again after doing supplementary examinations is given a chance to repeat the course. A pass in supplementary and repeat examination is recorded as ‘C’ whatever the marks scored by the candidate.

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Huskers win 11 awards in regional spj competition.

Yesterday · 3 min read

Huskers win 11 awards in regional SPJ  competition

Current and former students from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications earned 11 awards in the Society of Professional Journalists’ Region 7 Mark of Excellence Awards Competition on April 23.

The awards honor the best in student journalism. Categories are first judged at the regional level. Region 7 includes colleges and universities in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. First-place regional winners advance to the national competition. The national winners will be showcased here , and a best in show award will be given for the overall best entry among all national winners.

Huskers won in three categories. The winners are listed alphabetically by hometown, with their year in school or graduation month, major(s), category and entry title.

• Bellevue: Anne Gallagher, May 2023 graduate, broadcasting, television in-depth reporting, “How JUUL impacted the evolution of the vaping epidemic in Nebraska, U.S.”

Elsewhere in the U.S.

• Overland Park, Kansas: Brian Beach, May 2023 graduate, journalism, general news reporting (large), “‘Capitalism with a heart’: How Ho-Chunk Inc. strengthens tribal community in Winnebago.”
• Lebanon, Tennessee: Alex Neill, senior, broadcasting, and sports media and communication, podcast (narrative), “The Subgenropedia.”

“The Subgenropedia was a passion project I started my sophomore year, and I have seen it grow to heights that I could not even imagine,” Neill said. “I am so thankful for the College of Journalism and Mass Communication at UNL and professors like Richard Alloway and Kaci Ritcher, who push students to have the best of the best content in Nebraska.”

Huskers were finalists in seven categories. The finalists are listed alphabetically by hometown, with their year in school or graduation month, major (s), category and entry title.

• Bellevue: Nathan Hawkins, December 2023 graduate, broadcasting and sports media and communication, television general news reporting, “Civil engineers work to combat O Street’s accidents.”
• Elm Creek: Hallie Gutzwiller, December 2023 graduate, broadcasting, radio feature, “Autumn birding in Nebraska: An experience for all.”
• Lincoln: Kloee Sander, May 2023 graduate, broadcasting, in-depth reporting (large), “‘Sticker shock’: Greek house values skyrocket after review; the tax bills come next”; Jackson Reddick, December 2023 graduate, broadcasting, and sports media and communication, radio feature, “A BUZZworthy collaboration: UNL Bee Club and Reactor Coffee create a fun drink.”
• Nebraska City: Macy Neumeister, December 2023 graduate, broadcasting and journalism, best all-around television newscast, Nebraska Nightly.
• Omaha: Naomi Delkamiller, senior, advertising and public relations, and journalism, television in-depth reporting, “Restrictions at Catholic hospitals reduce abortion access, even in blue states”; Lucas Sinnett, senior, broadcasting, and sports media and communication, best all-around television newscast, Nebraska Nightly.
• Des Moines, Iowa: Marissa Lindemann, senior, broadcasting and journalism, best use of multimedia, “Disking the river: How Platte River management makes crane migration possible.”
• Overland Park, Kansas: Ellie Kuckelman, May 2023 graduate, journalism, photo essay/slideshow, “A neighborhood of diversity, strength and community.”
• El Paso, Texas: Jay Quemado, senior, broadcasting and journalism, best all-around television newscast category, Nebraska Nightly.
• Rice Lake, Wisconsin: Alaina Tomesh, senior, broadcasting, best all-around television newscast, Nebraska Nightly.

“Congratulations to our Mark of Excellence award winners,” said Shari Veil, Jane T. Olson Dean of the journalism college. “These awards not only celebrate excellence in student journalism, but reflect the dedication, talent and hard work of our Huskers. We’re immensely proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing their continued success as they advance to the national competition.”

To learn more about the SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards, click here .

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