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Those students who have been committed, who have worked together with lecturers in achieving he learning outcomes, and who have worked diligently every day ? making sure that they know and understand what they are doing ? have attained much success. It has been a joy to attend the graduation ceremonies of these students, to see their happy faces and to hear what we have enabled them to do.
Be prepared for a major mind shift and new challenge! You may wonder why we are making this claim. Please note that the study material for this module is ONLY available in English. This module, dealing with Communication Research differs vastly from any other Communication Science modules for which you may have registered to date. There are various reasons for this statement. The content of this module is very practical – you are required to conduct research in real-life situations and then you have to report on the research under specific scientific headings, and in a specific format. Research is exact and your report therefore has to meet specific scientific requirements.
The content of this module poses specific challenges: one has to understand each concept fully before one can apply any theory to practical situations. The examination for this module is also not venue-based. In other words, you do not write a physical examination. The examination consists of a portfolio ? relating to actual research done, based on actual data collected which must be supported by your collected evidence. That portfolio has to be handed in for assessment before the date specified for the portfolio as indicated in this tutorial letter. In contrast to other modules which you studied previously, this module provides you with a choice to apply different techniques and methods when conducting research in the field of Communication Science.
These techniques and methods can be applied in advertising message research, or audience analyses of the print media, searching mass-media issues. The information contained in this tutorial letter is applicable to both Semesters. The assignments for both Semesters are also included in this tutorial letter. All study material that you have received for this module is important. Please ensure that you READ this tutorial letter and that you familiarize yourself with the closing dates of assignments, since you have to meet certain requirements in order to gain admission to the examination. Also ensure that you meet the deadlines for the submission of the assignments and portfolio.
There is NO extension for the submission of any assignments due to amongst others) a lack of time to conduct the actual research and prepare the portfolio in time. We are required to meet certain deadlines (target dates) to ensure that you get the feedback in time for preparation of the portfolio and this can only be achieved if you meet the set deadlines. It is therefore imperative that you take note of the following important information: Assignment 01 in each Semester is compulsory. You HAVE to do assignment 01 of the Semester for which you are registered and hand it in before the closing date in order to gain admission to the examination.
If you neglect to hand in the compulsory assignment before the closing date, you will have to re-register for the module in the next Semester. There is NO extension for the submission of any assignments. 4 COMMODE/101 The mark that you obtain for assignment has 02 a 10% credit- bearing value towards your final examination mark. This means that only assignment 02 contributes towards your Semester mark and that 10% of the mark that you obtain for assignment 02 counts as your Semester mark. The implication is that 90% of the mark that you obtain for the portfolio thus contributes towards your final mark for the module. You are urged to commence with your studies immediately.
The research task for this module is time consuming. Do not underestimate the amount of work involved. Closing dates for assignments SEMESTER 1 Assignment 01 (compulsory) Assignment 02 (contributes to Semester mark) Assign meet 03 (examination portfolio) Assignment 04 (supplementary examination portfolio) 25 February 2013 25 March 2013 22 April 2013 4 October 2013 SEMESTER 2 examination portfolio) 5 August 2013 2 September 2013 1 October 2013 21 April 2014 Please ensure that you use the correct assignment number (01, 02, 03, 04) and unique assignment number (as listed for each assignment per Semester below) hen submitting the different assignments.
Also note and ensure that you meet the one document not exceeding 1 MBA in size requirements for submitted documents. Failure to meet these two requirements will result in the cancellation of your assignment (and portfolio) without the possibility of resubmission. Unique assignment numbers semester 1 347785 273049 313468 256653 semester 2 385697 234486 303764 285951 Assignment 01 Assignment 02 Assignment 03 (Portfolio) Assignment 04 (Supplementary examination) There is no venue-based examination in this module. You have to hand in a portfolio based on research done in real life. Please ensure you understand what this entails and READ all relevant detail in this tutorial letter.
All students with disabilities (especially those with visual disability) must contact the module coordinator as soon as possible ? telepathically or preferably via e- mail so that we can assist you. 5 The brochure my Studies @ Unions contains (amongst others) a list of contact detail but the following contact detail may save you a lot of trouble and time. Please use the following information as a reference guide for important study-related enquiries. Fax number E-mail Online address Unions Website International Student and related enquiries Prescribed Books Section 012 429 4152 vospresc@unisa. AC. AZ 012 429 4150 / + 27 12 429 4150 inf0@unisa. AC. AZ or study-info@unisa. AC. AZ http://my. Unions. AC. AZ http://www. Unions. AC. AZ international@unisa. AC. A Telephone number E-mail Description of enquiry Short SMS code Send an SMS direct query with your name, student number/old number and a short description of your query Applications and registrations 43578 Assignments 43584 Examinations 43584 Study material 43579 Student accounts 31954 manias and Millie 43582 Academic departments cannot assist with enquiries related to ANY of these issues, since we do not have access to any of these administrative systems. Academics cannot assist you with problems related to manias, registration of assignments via manias, problems with computer systems, outstanding study material, snail mail, SMS messages not sent by the module coordinator, services related to discussion classes, or any other administrative matters.
We can only assist you with academic aspects related to the module that have a bearing on our teaching, assignments that we mark, and problems that you may experience with marks that were allocated or recorded. 2. 1 PURPOSE OF AND OUTCOMES FOR THE MODULE Purpose The purposes of this module on communication research are not only to equip learners with the theoretical knowledge and practical research skills (techniques and methods), but also to introduce students to the concepts related to research provide students with the opportunity to illustrate their mastery of content and researchable concepts by having to conduct authentic research in a natural environment related to communication require that students present their research done in a scientific report as portfolio for examination purposes. COMMODE/101 2. Outcomes In order for students to master the goals and objectives of the module, it is assumed that they have the ability to read, write and understand English have the ability to learn from predominantly written material have the ability to do practical applications possess the willingness to take responsibility for own progress, with guided support will develop the ability to communicate what they have learnt and experienced, predominantly by presenting portfolios. Students who have met the outcomes of the module will be able to demonstrate n understanding, and apply their knowledge of research principles, techniques and methods in diverse communication contexts. 3. LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS Lecturers The lecturers responsible for this module are: Proof EX Treatable© Module Coordinator 012 429 3305 012 429 3346 terblej@unisa. AC. AZ Mr. DC Wiggins 012 429 6791 012 429 3346 wigstdj@unisa. AC. AZ In the event of the module coordinator not satisfying your needs, the matter can be referred to the Chair of the Department. Please do not send the same e-mail to more than one lecturer. Should you leave a message for a Unions lecturer to contact you, please make rue that the number that you leave is clear and that you are available, or that your telephone has a facility to receive messages. We cannot return the call if the number is inaudible or if we cannot write it down (i. E. F you rumble it off too fast), and we can unfortunately not try to contact you ad infinitum. When you contact the university, make sure that your student number, module code (COMMODE), your postal address, telephone number and e-mail address (if you have electronic access), are at hand. For the record: if you phone any member of staff in the Department of Communication Science, please allow the phone to inning long enough (for at least 20 seconds) so that you can leave a message (if we are unavailable). The phones of all staff members are connected to answering machines or automatically go to a cell phone if not answered within a specific time limit.
The telephone system of the university automatically keeps record of ALL incoming and outgoing telephone calls. If you allege that you do not get hold of a particular lecturer, you have to indicate when which number was dialed and where you left a message. This information will enable us to take the matter up. 7 Miss L van Dyke 012 429 2148 012 429 3346 vdykli@unisa. C. AZ If you do not get a response from a lecturer within five (5) working days, contact the administrative officer. She is MS Annelid Overruled and can be contacted telepathically at 012 429 6016 or via electronic mail (e-mail) at vermea@unisa. AC. AZ. Take note: MS Overruled cannot answer content questions about the module, only Unions lecturers can.
You will find the contact detail of different departments in the brochure my Studies @ Unions, which you received with your study material. If you did not receive this brochure and have access to internet, you will find the brochure on manias under “Resources”. Please ensure that you contact the correct section, department, and individual for each enquiry ? it will ensure the speedy disposal of the enquiry and no frustration. 3. 2 Department The address of our department is: Department of Communication Science TV Building 7th floor Room 69 3. 3 University The postal address of the university is: POP Box 392 UNIONS 0003 The physical address of the university is: Preliterate Muckiness PRETORIA 0001 3. Contact with the university You will find the contact detail of different departments in the brochure my Studies @ Unions, which you received with your study material. If you did not receive this brochure and have access to internet, you will find the brochure on manias under ‘Resources’. 3. 4. 1 Unions contact via e-mail Once you register, you are automatically assigned an e-mail address at Unions. It consists of your student number@mylife. Unions. AC. AZ (in other words, 2841452@mylife. Unions. AC. AZ). Unions will use this e-mail address when communicating with you. Please ensure that you also use this address when interacting with Unions electronically, and always indicate which module the enquiry relates to.
If you experience problems with your password or access o this e-mail address, please send an SMS to the relevant number (as per list above), and explain the problem in detail. 8 COMMODE/101 3. 5 Union’s need to contact you Please note that we sometimes have to send you an urgent SMS message. If your cell phone detail is not available on the database, you will not get these messages. There is no other costiveness means by which we can contact you and we urge you to please update this information on Union’s database regularly. We will not misuse this feature and are, by law, not allowed to make your personal information known. All messages sent from the module coordinator, ill be preceded by the module code (COMMODE).
Unions lecturers cannot answer enquiries related to SMS messages received from any source other than those preceded by the module code. MODULE-RELATED RESOURCES COMMODE is based on one prescribed book, one study guide and a number of tutorial letters which you will receive in the course of the Semester. Your study material (study guide and tutorial letters) will be provided by the university but you have to purchase the prescribed book. The correct study material is also available on manias ? under the option Study material ? and you can access and print it. No other material or sources are required. It is vitally important that you READ your study material and accept responsibility for your own studies.
If you have, for example, an MAC assignment consisting of less than the number of (Macs) as indicated in the heading of the assignment, you IMMEDIATELY have to contact the university and ask to speak to someone who can provide you with the correct tutorial letter. Please do not wait until you have submitted the assignment or until the feedback in a tutorial letter is available, because you will NOT be able to have a second opportunity to resubmit any assignment after the closing date of the assignment. We cannot grant extension for the submission of ANY assignment. Assignment 01 has to be corrected after lecturers have assessed it, and it has to be used and forms the foundation (first part) of the portfolio to be submitted for examination purposes. There cannot be any extension for the portfolio since an official examination date cannot be postponed. 4. Prescribed book The ONLY prescribed book for this module is: Du Ploy, GM. 2009. Communication research: techniques, methods and applications. 2nd Edition. Wetted, cape Town:Just ISBN NUMBER: 978-0-70217-710-1 It is of the utmost importance that you purchase the book as soon as possible, since both the assignments and the examination are based on the contents of the prescribed book. You cannot pass the examination if you use the study guide only. You need the prescribed book as well. If the prescribed book is not obtained before the closing date of any assignment, it means that you will have to re-register for the module for the next semester and pay registration fees again.
The university does not provide you with the prescribed book ? you have to purchase it yourself. Remember that the latest edition of any published book is always the cost recent version, and is therefore most acceptable. The ISBN number of the book changes with every reprint of the book. 9 4. 2 Recommended books There are no recommended books applicable to this module. 4. 3 Electronic reserves (e-Reserves) There are no e-Reserves applicable to this module. 4. 4 Inventory letter Upon registration you received an inventory letter together with the available tutorial matter. The inventory letter lists those items that you should have received on registration.
Check the tutorial matter which you have received against the inventory letter. Should any of the items be missing or should any of the MAC assignments have less than 20 questions per assignment, please follow the instructions on the reverse side of the inventory letter immediately. Please check at your post office regularly (if that option is applicable for delivery of study material) and collect the study material as soon as possible. If you wait too long before you collect from the post office, they send the study material back to Unions. Please note: If you receive your study material too late in the Semester, you will NOT be able to hand in the compulsory assignment before the closing ate.
This will result in your not being able to sit for the examination and you will have to pay and re-register for the module in the next Semester AGAIN. 4. 5 Study guide The title of the study guide is: Du Ploy, T. 2001. Only study guide COMMAND for COMMODE: Communication Research. Pretoria: University of South Africa. 4. 6 Tutorial letters Tutorial letters form an integral part of the prescribed study material for examination purposes, and address matters that some of you may find difficult to comprehend. We also use tutorial letters as a means of ‘talking” to you, and to vive feedback on assignments. READ, study and keep them safely ?you receive only one set.
Comments on the assignments, information on the contents and presentation of discussion classes, feedback on problems experienced by some of you, guidelines for the examination, and frequently asked questions will be communicated by means of tutorial letters. After the closing dates of each assignment, you should receive a tutorial letter. Be on the lookout for this tutorial letter and if you do not receive it, access it on manias. 10 COMMODE/101 If you phone or send us an e-mail about any matter already dressed in a tutorial letters we will not respond to your query, but refer you to the specific tutorial letter. We do this in order to ensure that you READ all your study material and because we cannot keep on repeating information.
Students working on manias also express their frustration if we repeat existing material all the time. 4. 6. 1 Tutorial Letters 102 ? 104 Tutorial Letter 102 contains the Frequently Asked Questions and discussion class notes, and other relevant detail. Please use this important information and examples when you do assignment 01 and the draft of the portfolio. The discussion class notes are to be used together with the mark scheme applicable to your selected task. Feedback on assignment 01 will be in Tutorial Letter 103, and feedback on assignment 02 will be presented in Tutorial Letter 104. 4. 6. 2 Tutorial Letter CANALLED/301 Also take note of the important information in Tutorial Letter CANALLED/301.
It is a generic tutorial letter sent to all students registered for modules in Communication Science. It contains examples of the compulsory declaration; list of sources consulted, and reference techniques to be used in assignment 01 and the portfolio. Please use the information in this tutorial letter when doing the written assignment and when preparing the portfolio. 4. 7 Discussion class/Video conference Discussion classes can be presented via video conference or personal visits to main centers in South Africa. Each Semester has its own discussion classes. Video conferences are done on weekdays and if you receive an SMS of a broadcast on a Saturday, it indicates a re-broadcast of the original broadcast.
The purpose of the re-broadcast is to accommodate those of you who could not attend the original broadcast. Extensive details (with regard to venues, dates, and time slots) will e made known during the Semester in a separate tutorial letter (COMICAL/301) and will also be announced on manias. An SMS may also be sent. You do not have to make a reservation to attend any discussion class. You do, however, have to determine and understand the nature of the discussion class. Is it a face-to- face class or a video conference? In face-to-face classes the lecturers attend and present a class at the regional office, such as in Durban and/or Cape Town.
In the event of a discussion class being presented via video conference, it is suggested that you contact the venue where you would like to attend the class (check for detail in Tutorial Letter COMICAL/301) and make sure that the particular venue will in fact broadcast the class. The contents of any discussion class will be contained in a tutorial letter, and will be posted on manias (under Additional Resources) as well. 11 5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MODULE The brochure my Studies @ Unions contains important information, such as guidance in terms of time management, planning skills, and guidelines with regard to the examination and preparation for the examination. The brochure is an A-Z guide of the most relevant study information.
The following important information is for example available in my Studies @ Unions: Doing assignments Financial assistance Logging on to manias Planning of studies Students with disabilities Tutors Effective study methods Library information Plan and write examination Student Disciplinary Code Telecasters Please pay particular attention to all the information in all the brochures that the university makes available. Lecturers do not have access to all the systems and records and are not be able to assist with enquiries other than those related to the subject matter. 5. 1 Participating on manias Yuan’s is an electronic forum where students interact with the lecturers and other students. Important information and announcements are often made on manias, since this is the most effective and quickest measure to reach students.
Some important announcements are followed by an SMS. Students also post their needs on manias (via the discussion forum), such as inviting other students to join and form discussion groups, exchange questions relating to study material, assignments, marks for assignments and also ask questions of importance to students. Study material is available on manias (under the Study eternal option), and the discussion class notes are posted here under Additional Resources. All information and documents posted on manias is available as soon as it has been posted here, and there are no postal delays in obtaining that information. It can simply be accessed or printed from manias.
To study at Unions by means of distance education is a bigger challenge for some students than for others. That is because of differing reasons and circumstances. Many students underestimate the fact that distance education mainly takes place after hours, you often work in isolation and no physical classes are presented very day. Other complications are the fact that many students work full time and find it difficult to strike a balance between work, family, social and study responsibilities. According to Schmidt, Cohen-Succotash, van deer Molten, Splinter, Bullet, Hollering and van Rostrums (2010:288) it is important for students to feel socially and academically part of the curriculum.
They refer to Tint’s theory on student integration and concluded that integration takes place easily when students have peers who also study, and if the curriculum provides opportunity to discuss and debate subject content. These opportunities eliminate the usability of dropping out, and universities have a responsibility to create, promote, and maintain greater educational cooperation amongst students. That is mainly why Unions has provided the manias forum. 12 COMMODE/101 You are strongly advised to register on manias if you have electronic access, since it is believed that students who do use this facility have an advantage over those who do not use it. It is also encouraging to liaise with fellow students and this feature helps to encourage those who sometimes need a little support and encouragement. Join today!