Prerequisite(s): CMST 201. Restriction(s): Communication and Media Studies majors. The course engages students in investigative research methods frequently used in the fields of communication and media (e.g., textual and visual analyses, focus groups, interviewing, content analysis and survey research). Students as researchers utilize qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies to develop critical skills for understanding and evaluating communication and media contexts. As well, students develop skills for writing scholarly research papers according to American Psychological Association guidelines and standards of the communication and media studies academic discipline. Meets the Graduation Writing Requirement for majors in Communication and Media Studies. Equivalent course CMST 280 effective through Summer 2021.