The course Research Methods and Sources in Communication is structured around three main teaching methodologies: lectures, theoretical-practical seminars, and practical exercises focused on learning and applying research techniques.

Lectures aim to provide a solid theoretical foundation on different methodological approaches and the main information sources used in communication research.

Theoretical-practical seminars are designed to connect theoretical concepts with their practical application through case analysis, group discussion, and critical reflection on research designs and analysis strategies.

Practical exercises will allow students to apply the knowledge acquired to real or simulated research situations, working with data, sources, and both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

A detailed schedule and the content of each session will be presented on the first day of class and made available on the virtual campus. There, students will also find instructions for practical exercises, teaching materials, and all the necessary information for proper course follow-up.

Attendance and active participation in seminars and practical sessions are mandatory and form part of the continuous assessment.

The course content will be sensitive to gender perspectives and will promote the use of inclusive language, encouraging a critical and diverse approach to communication research processes and practices.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

This course follows a continuous assessment model only.

Assessment is based on four components:

• Theoretical Exam I (40% of the final grade)
• Practical Exercises (30% of the final grade)
• Theoretical-Practical Seminars (30% of the final grade)

The final grade will be the sum of the scores obtained in each of these components.

To pass the course, students must pass or obtain a minimum average of 4 out of 10 in the combined theoretical exams.

The final grade will be the total sum of the scores obtained in each component.

Optional resit system:

Students will have the right to resit the course only if they have been assessed in the theoretical exama and in two-thirds of the seminars and practical exercises.

Only the theoretical exam may be retaken. Seminars and exercises are not resit-eligible, except in cases of duly justified force majeure.

If the average score of thetwo theoretical exams is below 3, the student will not be eligible for resit.

The maximum grade for a resat theoretical exam will be 6 out of 10.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies:

In this course, the use of AI technologies is permitted only for specific tasks, such as information or bibliography searches, text proofreading, or translations.

Students must clearly identify which parts of their work have been generated using AI, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these technologies influenced both the process and the final outcome of the activity.

Lack of transparency in the use of AI in any graded activity will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total penalty to the activity grade, or more serious sanctions in severe cases.

PLAGIARISM

Should a student engage in any form of misconduct could significantly affect the outcome of an assessment. In that case, they will receive a grade of zero for that particular assessment, regardless of any disciplinary actions that may follow. If multiple instances of misconduct are detected across differentassessment components of the same course, the student will receive a final grade of zero for the entire subject.

Non-Assessable

Following point 9 of Article 266 of the UAB Academic Regulations, if it is determined that the student has not provided sufficient evidence to be evaluated, the subject will be classified as non-assessable.