In this course you will use the techniques discussed in class to collect, organize, analyze, and present research on computer mediated communication. Students will be expected to work in a group throughout the quarter. The groups will be assigned by the instructor.

As we are concerned with Computer-Mediated Communication and Computer Supported Cooperative Work projects should focus on the relationship relationship between one form of computer-mediated communication and an aspect of social life.

The project will furnish materials for in-class analysis. For some of the quarter class time will be devoted to data sessions in which groups discuss material ( interview transcripts) for collective discussion.

Project Deliverables:

Each group shall submit a final paper that is 20-25 pages double spaced. Please note that no section of the paper should be less than about 2 pages. It will be graded according to the following:

Final Paper

Introduction 5%
Literature Review (2 papers per team member) 7%
Methods and Data Collection (2 interviews per team member) 5%
Presentation and Analysis of Results 18%
Conclusion 5%

Final Presentation

Do you present all of the elements above roughly in proportion to their importance? (6%)

Do your provide engaging slides that are relevant to the information being presented? (4%)

Extra Credit (all students will be allowed to vote on the best presentation, members of the group getting the most votes will receive 2 extra points (+2%)

All members of the project group will receive the same final grade.

Please note: in order to conduct your class research project, you must complete online training to conduct human subjects research. The CITI course is available the via the Human Subjects Division's website where you will be asked to select a Learner Group. The student course is only 30-40 minutes. If you think you might participate in the conduct of future research studies, you should consider bypassing the student course for the full 3-5 hour course for Social/Behavioral research.