Communication Studies (CMNS) 308

Overview

Many people working in journalism, public relations and other communications fields need to be able to understand how statistics are used in order to present information and frame arguments. This course is designed for those who want to become critical consumers of statistical evidence. It emphasizes a conceptual rather than a computational approach to learning statistics. Using examples taken from popular media, the course explains how people use and abuse statistics for purposes of persuasion and influence.

Course Outline

There are eight units in the course.

Unit 1: Why Study Statistics?

The history of statistics, the importance of studying statistics, and the scope, structure and mechanics of the course.

Unit 2: The Significance of Sampling

Sampling procedures used to draw appropriate samples in order to make reliable and valid statements about populations; learn to evaluate the results of surveys and polls.

Unit 3: Understanding Scientific Experiments

Introduction to experimental designs and their implications for making causal statements; recognizing elements of bias in designs.

Unit 4: Measurement

A focus on the reliability and validity of the numbers generated in research; making informed judgements about reported conclusions based on numbers.

Unit 5: Describing Distributions

The ways numbers are organized and displayed, and the importance of measures of central tendency, dispersion or variability, and “normal” distributions; making accurate interpretations.

Unit 6: Understanding Relationships

Relationships between measures, or variables; understanding the results of multiple-variable research and the validity of related conclusions.

Unit 7: Probability: The Language of Chance

The language of probability, or the degree of likelihood of the occurrence of an event; the importance of probability for statistical tests of significance.

Unit 8: Inference: Conclusions with Confidence

Methods for drawing formal conclusions from data; making informed judgements about the use and abuse of inferential techniques. Unit 8 summarizes the course.

Evaluation

To receive credit for CMNS 308, you must complete all of the assignments, achieve a grade of at least 50 percent on the Final Examination, and an overall course grade of at least a “D” (50 percent).

Activity	Weighting
Assignment 1 (after Unit 2)	6%
Assignment 2 (after Unit 4)	6%
Online Quiz 1 (after Unit 4)	4%
Essay (after Unit 4)	6%
Assignment 3 (after Unit 5)	6%
Assignment 4 (after Unit 6)	6%
Online Quiz 2 (after Unit 6)	4%
Assignment 5 (Unit 7)	6%
Assignment 6 (Unit 8)	6%
Online Quiz 3 (after Unit 8)	4%
Course End Project (after Unit 8)	14%
Final Examination	32%
Total	100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbooks

Challenge for Credit Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.

Full information about Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the CMNS 308 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.

Activity	Weighting
Part I: Take home essay exam	50%
Part II: Paper exam	50%
Total	100%

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form