Corporate Communication Research Methods

The profession of corporate communication is increasingly research based and involves often the reliance on evidence for strategic communication planning, the use of data as intelligence for the interaction with stakeholders, and the measurement of communication efforts. 
The course proposes an overview on the research process and outlines how to reflectively move between the definition of a research question, the design of a study, data analysis, and reporting. It then draws particular attention to communication sensitive methods, such as analysis of both verbal and visual texts and of real-life interactions.

The course provides the methodological skills and tools helping:

• to design and carry out research independently;
• to understand and critically reflect upon existing data and research.

In presenza

The course is designed to instill continuous dialogue between class and group work. Whilst the interactive lectures provide an overview of an extensive palette of relevant research methods, the group work allows for experiencing the benefits and practical challenges of selected methods. The lectures rely upon the active participation of students, who have to prepare readings, do groupwork and hold presentations. 

Given the highly interactive learning approach attendance is required. Justified absences can be accepted up to 20% of classes.

• Groupwork and class participation (30%)
• Final written exam (70%)