CIS-50806 Communication, Planning and Research

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lectures16
Literature study
Problem-based learning24
Tutorial24
Course coordinator(s)prof. dr. MA Koelen
Lecturer(s)prof. dr. MA Koelen
Examiner(s)prof. dr. MA Koelen

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Introduction to Communication and Innovation Studies (Dutch or English version)

Contents:

Designing professional communicative intervention programmes requires systematic planning. We distinguish four phases: diagnosis, programme development, implementation and evaluation. Decisions have to be made and knowledge acquired about: the type of problems to be addressed; the aims and objectives to be persued; the stakeholders to be involved; the communication approaches and strategies to be applied as well as the messages to be conveyed, as well as the monitoring and evaluation plans to be developed. The phases in planning are strongly related with four research steps: preliminary research, programme development research, monitoring and evaluation. In this course we will analyze each of the planning phases from a practical, theoretical and research methodological perspective. Special attention is payed to crucial issues to be addressed in each phase, to suitable research methods and designs, including the use and significance of quantitative and qualitative data, and (participatory) action research. Throughout the course, students will develop a project proposal, based on real life cases in the area of health, environment or agriculture. The proposal can either focus on research or on the design of a communicative intervention, inlcuding extension campaigns.

Aims:

At the end of the course students will:
- have developed insight in the phases related to the design, implementation and evaluation of communicative interventions;
- the role of research in designing and evaluation communicative interventions;
- will be able to put these insights into practice.

Activities:

- literature study;
- lectures;
- workshops and discussion groups;
- writing a project proposal under supervision of the lecturers in tutorgroups.

Examination:

individual assignments;
- group assignment;
- project proposal.

Literature:

Articles will be handed out during the course. More information can be found in the course outline (study handout) and is available at the secretariat of Communication Science.