COMM 1740 Research Methods and Ethics

Teaches systematic inquiry, source evaluation, and ethical standards for academic and professional research.

Course overview

This course introduces the principles and practices of academic research. You will learn how to formulate research questions, locate and evaluate sources, and organize information effectively. The course places a strong emphasis on research ethics, including proper citation, avoiding plagiarism, and respecting intellectual property.

You will develop practical skills in both print and digital research environments, learning to critically assess the reliability of information. The course also covers the basics of presenting research findings clearly and professionally.

Who takes this course

• General Arts & Science

Credits: 3 · Hours: 45

Prerequisites

None

Learning outcomes

• Identify and apply systematic research methods to academic questions
• Evaluate the credibility and bias of primary and secondary sources
• Apply ethical standards for citation, plagiarism prevention, and data integrity
• Synthesize research findings into clear written and oral presentations
• Design a simple research proposal with a clear methodology
• Reflect on the societal impact of research and information use

Evaluation