Academic Journals
T/F: COMM 306 focuses on research in the area of social science.
T
T/F: A theory MUST be observable or testable.
True
A student is confused on the difference between independent and dependent variables. How can you identify the Independent variable?
Has no change, causes the effect on the dependent variable
Where would you direct the student first if they ask for help studying for an exam?
Ask them if they have notes from class or their textbook
Name one Comm theory covered in 306.
Attribution Theory, Cognitive Dissonance theory, Expectancy Violations Theory, Social Exchange Theory, Uncertainty Reduction Theory, Symbolic Interactionism, Social Penetration Theory, Communication Privacy Management, Media Multiplexity Theory, Social Information Processing Theory, Social Identity Theory, Face Negotiation Theory, Social Learning Theory, Cultivation Theory, Uses and Gratifications Theory, Agenda Setting Theory
What steps does a student need to take to locate a journal article?
Direct them to the Comm Studies database from the University Library website / SSO
What are the two paradigms amongst communication scholars?
Rhetoric and social science
T/F: The dependent variable has no change; it causes the effect on the IV.
False. The DV is what is affected or changed by the IV.
What note-taking tips would you give a student struggling to keep up in this class?
Hand write their notes. There is so much material to cover in this course so writing out their notes will help them remember better than typing.
T/F: Face Negotiation Theory is an example of an intergroup or intercultural theory.
True
If a student is having trouble finding the hypothesis in their article, what section should you direct them to?
Introduction/Literature Review
What are the 4 goals of theory?
To describe, explain, predict, control
It contains an experiment, survey, or content analysis to test the theory.
A student has classes during CTC in-person office hours. When are there CTC online-only office hours this semester?
Monday-Thursday, 5-6:30
How many theories does the student need to cover in the final paper?
1
What section should the student focus the most on for developing their final paper for 306?
Introduction/Literature Review
Why is it important for students to study communication theory?
It allows us to be better communicators, and allows us to interpret communication events in meaningful ways.
Where can you direct a student to look within their article if they are not sure if it is quantitative research?
The methods section
If you are helping a student and would like more detailed notes about a theory, who should you ask?
Consult the 306 cheat sheet or ask your fellow peer mentors.
How many theories are expected to be covered in Comm 306?
14-16
What is the biggest mistake a student can make when choosing their article?
Choosing a qualitative/rhetorical study (not an empirical one)
A student is confused about what a theory is. How would you explain it to them?
- a way to study and analyze communication events
- systematic observation, hunches about the ways things work
What is the name of the research librarian who you can send your articles to for help?
Tiffini Travis
A student wants more help from their professor for 306. What professors are teaching 306 this semester?
Derme, Pulido, Bolkan
A student is really struggling to understand social penetration theory. How would you try to explain it to them in simple terms?
Your relational closeness to someone depends on how much self-disclosure you both participate in. Intimacy progress through stages, like an onion, and onions have layers until you reach the middle.