Overview
COMM100: Introduction to Research and Study is designed to help you improve the academic skills you need to be a successful university student. The course teaches planning and time management skills, strategies for critical thinking, online research skills and information literacy, methods to improve reading and note-taking, and how to write better research papers and be prepared to do well on tests and exams. You are encouraged to understand yourself as a critical learner, as you reflect on what you are learning, actively participate in academic culture, and engage in critical inquiry. Your learning in this course will help you in your future studies, in your work, and in life in general as you identify problems and seek solutions to them.
Outline
COMM100 comprises the following lessons organized into 6 units.
Unit 1: Getting the Most Out of Your Education
- Lesson 1: Online and Distance Learning and Higher Education
- Lesson 2: Understanding Yourself as a Learner
- Lesson 3: Time Management
Unit 2: Active Reading and Effective Note-Taking
- Lesson 4: Active Reading Strategies
- Lesson 5: Effective Note-Taking Strategies
Unit 3: Being a Critical Learner
- Lesson 6: What Does It Mean to Be Critical?
- Lesson 7: What Does It Mean to Be Information Literate?
Unit 4: The Research Process
- Lesson 8: Beginning a Research-Based Writing Project
- Lesson 9: Evaluating Sources
- Lesson 9: Finding Sources
Unit 5: Research-Based Writing
- Lesson 11: Writing as Process and Conversation
- Lesson 12: Intellectual Honesty
Unit 6: Memory and Test-Taking
- Lesson 13: Memory Techniques
- Lesson 14: Strategies for Tests and Examinations
Learning outcomes
After completing COMM100, students should be able to
- identify what you need to do to succeed in your university studies and as an online learner.
- assess your abilities and preferences as a learner and use relevant strategies to get the most out of your studies.
- use time management strategies to help you accomplish your academic and other goals.
- discuss what it means to be a critical thinker and to be information literate.
- bring a spirit of critical inquiry and deep commitment to thinking, reading, writing, and researching.
- discuss diversity, anti-racism and inclusivity issues, demonstrate intercultural competence, and engage with different ways of knowing and learning.
- use understanding of academic culture and conventions to participate successfully in scholarly conversations.
- formulate a research question, develop a research plan, and journal the research process.
- use libraries and the Internet to effectively locate information.
- evaluate information using a range of criteria.
- demonstrate understanding of different information types, their purposes, audiences and uses.
- use effective reading and note-taking skills to improve your comprehension and retention.
- use effective communication skills for listening, speaking and writing.
- use thesis-governed writing as a way to join the scholarly conversation, explore differing viewpoints, and create new knowledge.
- engage in academic essay writing as a process in which you organize, develop, and refine your ideas through outlining, drafting, revising, and editing.
- demonstrate understanding of academic integrity implications including the ones related to generative artificial intelligence tools.
- maintain standards of intellectual honesty and academic integrity, including by correctly citing and documenting your sources.
- use memory techniques and mnemonic devices to enhance your learning.
- use strategies for improving your performance on tests and examinations.
Evaluation
To receive credit for COMM 100, you must
- complete all four assignments
- complete all six end-of-unit online quizzes
- participate in class discussions.
A pass will be awarded only if all of the above conditions are satisfied and you achieve a composite course mark of at least D (50 percent).
There is no final examination for this course.
The following chart summarizes each type of activity, the credit weight associated with it, and its placement in the course.
| Activity | Weight | Complete by |
| Assignment 1 - "Planning for success" questions | 10% | end of Unit 1 |
| Assignment 2 - Reflective essay | 20% | end of Unit 3 |
| Assignment 3 - Research journal | 20% | end of Unit 4 |
| Assignment 4 - Research essay | 30% | end of Unit 6 |
| Online unit quizzes - Multiple choice/true or false | 9% | end of each Unit (6 quizzes total) |
| Discussion - Contribute to three of six class discussions | 11% | end of each Unit (6 postings total) |
| Total | 100% | |
Materials
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Ellis, D., & Dawson, D. (2025). Becoming a master student (8th Cdn. ed.). Cengage Learning Canada. ISBN 978-1-77841-280-6.
Other materials
All other course materials are provided online.