Course Title: Applied Public Relations Research
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Applied Public Relations Research
Credit Points: 12.00
Course Coordinator: Edward Hurcombe
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 1533
Course Coordinator Email: edward.hurcombe@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: Building 9, Level 5
Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
None
Course Description
This course provides you an opportunity to apply the basic public relations research skills you previously learned. By learning about the application of traditional and contemporary research approaches in data collection and analysis, you will be able to apply these insights for your client/organisation research projects. You will also discuss the ethical implications of various research methods and learn to craft research insights that will inform strategy development.
As part of this course, you will undertake learning activities/assessment to engage and connect you with industry relevant to your current studies.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Program Learning Outcomes
This course contributes to the following BP354 Bachelor of Professional Communication Program Learning Outcomes:
- PLO4: Use digital, professional and interpersonal skills, and engage with emergent technologies to help solve problems, innovate, and collaborate.
- PLO6: Employ intellectual independence and judgement to engage critically with information, make sound evidence-based decisions, actively challenge assumptions, and undertake research that is ethical, creative and reflective.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify and evaluate different research approaches used in public relations practice.
- Design public relations research projects to address client objectives/priorities.
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative research projects to address clients objectives/priorities.
- Critically analyse ethical issues in relation to PR research.
Overview of Learning Activities
You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectures, tutorials, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities.
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.
A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.
The University Library has extensive resources for public relations students. The Library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies: http://rmit.libguides.com/pr
There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.
Overview of Assessment
You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review [30% Individual - Linked CLO's: 2, 4]
Assessment Task 2: Research Method Analysis [40% individual – Linked CLOs: 1, 4]
Assessment Task 3: Client Research Project [30% Group - Linked CLO's: 1, 2, 3, 4]
Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the Program Manager or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions - Assessment