Communication Research Assignment: Theory Application in Practice

This assignment requires students to explore communication theory and its application to their career interests. Students must use the UMUC Library to search for relevant research articles, focusing on a specific communication theory and its practical application. The assignment requires a comprehensive paragraph answering questions about career interests, the subject area investigated, the databases used, and the chosen theory. Students are expected to demonstrate a solid understanding of the theory by providing evidence from the readings and their own research. The assignment also requires APA citations for at least three relevant articles, and students are graded based on their ability to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the theory, answer all questions, and provide supporting evidence. Students must also demonstrate their ability to write clearly and use proper grammar, including in-text citations.

Directions:
1. Go to the UMUC Library and click on “Research Guides” to search by subject.
http://www.umuc.edu/library/#subjects
2. Go to the Subject area that is most closely related to your major or career. Take a look around
this UMUC Subject Guide to familiarize yourself with the materials available to help you in your
field of study while at UMUC.
3. Click on the button for databases in your Subject area.
4. Choose a communication theory or the name of a researcher you found interesting in this
course. Using one or more of the databases for your field, search that theory or person to see if
communication research has been applied to your area. You may also want to limit the search
by using other keywords for your specific area of career interest. Select at least three relevant
research articles to use for this assignment.
5. After reviewing your class notes on the theory and reading the research articles you found,
please write a comprehensive paragraph which answers the following questions:
a. What are your career interests?
b. What subject area did you investigate?
c. What database(s) did you use for your search?
d. What theory did you select for this assignment (select only one theory and discuss it in
depth).
e. How can an understanding of the theory you selected supplement your skills and the
insights you will need to succeed in your line of work? Make sure you use evidence from
your notes and the research articles to substantiate your claims.
f. Provide full APA Citations for three articles you found which discussed the use of
Communication Theory in your line of work/field of study. (3 points)
Please be sure to write carefully and well, using good grammar and APA in-text citations for quotes and
paraphrases.
As always, the following rubric will be used to grade your assignment.
90 to 100 points 80 to 89 points 70 to 79 points 50 to 69 points 0 points
The student
demonstrates a
thorough
The student demonstrates
a solid understanding of
the class concepts covered
The student
demonstrates an
adequate understanding
The student does not
demonstrate and
adequate understanding
Student
does not
turn in

understanding (i.e.,
mastery) of the
class concepts
covered in the
assignment. The
student answers all
questions on the
assignment; the
student’s answers
are complete,
correct, and
appropriate for the
questions.
Arguments are
convincing, and the
student supports
his/her points using
examples from the
readings, lectures,
and/or material
provided for the
assignment (e.g.,
the student backs
up his or her claims
with direct quotes
from a speech).
in the assignment. The
student answers all
questions on the
assignment; the student’s
answers are complete,
generally correct, and
appropriate for the
question. Arguments are
generally convincing and
the student uses a number
of examples and quotes to
support his/her claims, but
his/her response is
sometimes generic. Most
supporting evidence comes
from the readings,
lectures, and/or materials
provided for the
assignment (e.g., the
student backs up his or her
claims with direct quotes
from a speech).
of the class concepts
covered in the
assignment. The student
answers all questions on
the assignment; the
student’s answers are
complete, but the
answers are sporadically
correct and not always
appropriate for the
question. Arguments are
not convincing and the
student uses insufficient
or general evidence to
support his/her claims.
Little supporting
evidence comes from the
readings, lectures,
and/or materials
provided for the
assignment.
of the class concept
covered in the
assignment. The student
does not answer all the
questions asked or the
student’s answers are
incomplete. The student’s
answers are not
appropriate for the
question, are too vague,
too short, or otherwise
ineffective at
demonstrating
understanding or
engagement with course
material. Little to no
supporting material from
the readings, lectures,
and/or materials provided
for the assignment is
provided.
assignment.