ZURb1114 Methodology of media research

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2026
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Marína Urbániková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Martin Veselý (lecturer)
Mgr. Dana Bučková (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. et Mgr. Marína Urbániková, Ph.D.
Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Boris Rafailov, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! ZURb1201 Methodology of research &&KREDITY_MIN(20)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
The course aims to acquaint students with the basic terms and concepts of media research methodology, from theories of scientific knowledge, through the main paradigms of social sciences and media studies, the logic and design of empirical research, to major research methods and techniques and research ethics.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will: a) understand the basic terms and concepts of social science methodology and media research, b) grasp the logic of empirical research, c) acquire knowledge of basic quantitative and qualitative research methods and techniques, including their use, strengths, and weaknesses, d) demonstrate the ability to interpret research data and outputs.
Key topics
Organization of the course: 1. Introductory lesson and course organization. 2. Science and scientific knowledge. Theory of science. Major research paradigms of social sciences. Media studies as a scientific discipline. Purpose and usage of media research. 3. The logic and design of social science research. Overview of the main quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research techniques. 4. The role of theory in media research. Theoretical article. Systematic review. 5. Selection of the research sample. Validity. Reliability. 6. Survey. 7. Content analysis. 8. Experiment in media research. 9. Qualitative research and constructivist paradigm. 10. Sources and analysis of data in qualitative research. 11. Ethics in media research. 12. Conclusion of the course.
Study resources and literature
    required literature
  • Deacon, D. et al. 1999: Researching Communications. A Practical Guide to Methods in Media and Cultural Analysis. London: Arnold.
  • BABBIE, Earl R. The practice of social research. 13th ed., international ed. [Australia]: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2013, xxiii, 584. ISBN 9781133050094. info
  • HESSE-BIBER, Sharlene Nagy. The practice of qualitative research. Edited by Patricia Leavy. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE Publications, 2011, xx, 400. ISBN 9781412974578. info
  • GOODWIN, C. James. Research in psychology : methods and design. 5th ed. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, 2007, xxiii, 597. ISBN 9780471763833. info
  • HENDL, Jan. Kvalitativní výzkum : základní metody a aplikace. Vydání první. Praha: Portál, 2005, 407 stran. ISBN 8073670402. info
  • WENGRAF, Tom. Qualitative research interviewing : biographic narrative and semi-structured methods. First published. London: Sage Publications, 2001, xxiv, 398. ISBN 0803975007. info
  • BLAIKIE, Norman. Designing social research : the logic of anticipation. 1st pub. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2000, xiv, 338 s. ISBN 0-7456-1766-2. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
Lectures, class discussion, assignments, teamwork.
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
The course is concluded by an exam - written test.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024, Autumn 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2026, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2026/ZURb1114