Special Programs and Resources

Communication Research Center

The Communication Research Center (CRC) was established in 1959 as a part of Boston University. It was a pioneer in conducting systematic analyses about the effects of television on children and measuring political opinions and voting intentions. This early beginning led the CRC to develop a specialty in survey research methodology.

In 1994, the CRC was reorganized. The CRC now specializes in a wide array of survey research designs in addition to focus groups strategies. It emphasizes an integrated approach that utilizes the right mix of quantitative and qualitative techniques for solving research problems and reaching conclusions. In 1999, the CRC underwent a $500,000 expansion. The CRC prides itself in being a leader in applied communication science.

The CRC offers COM students a unique opportunity for getting involved in real problem-solving tasks using the latest in research methodologies and techniques.

Capabilities and clients: CRC research teams carry out all of the phases of a research project. The CRC services on-campus and off-campus clients. On-campus clients have included university scholars and administrative entities. Off-campus clients have included government agencies, corporations, and non-profit organizations.

Survey research specialties: The CRC’s research specialties include telephone, mail, and Web surveys. The phases required for executing these studies include developing customized quantitative measuring instruments, examining the psychometric properties of measuring instruments, sampling, collecting data, analyzing data, writing quantitative reports, and presenting the results.

Focus group specialties: The CRC also specializes in the use of focus groups when the problem demands a more qualitative approach. Focus group tasks include recruiting participants, developing customized qualitative instruments, moderating focus group sessions, analyzing focus group results, writing qualitative reports, and presenting the results.

Research facilities and tools: CRC facilities include a cutting-edge, computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) center housing thirty-three workstations. The center uses Sawtooth Software’s WinCATI system. Interviewers are carefully auditioned and screened for intellectual capacity and voice quality. To demonstrate the superior quality control mechanisms in place at the CRC, the Center gives clients the opportunity to monitor remotely the telephone interviewers who are working on their projects.

CRC facilities also include a state-of-the-art focus group site, consisting of a meeting room, an observation room, and 
a kitchen for food catering. Unobtrusive audio and video pick-ups enable the recording of focus group interactions. Remote video monitoring is also available to clients. This modular facility is also connected to the Internet via Ethernet, making it suitable for testing Web interfaces and other aspects of  websites. The CRC is also currently developing a methodology for conducting virtual focus groups.

The CRC utilizes the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) as its standard tool for statistical analysis. The CRC also uses specialized software such as AMOS for carrying out structural equations modeling (SEM).

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The COM Writing Center

The College of Communication Writing Center (located in Room B27A) provides free assistance to students. The Center’s tutors advise students on all types of writing, but specialize in formats related to the COM schools: journalism; mass communication, advertising, and public relations; and film and television.

The tutors are drawn from the finest writers in COM’s graduate school. Working one-on-one with the student, a tutor will address whatever issues concern the student, such as organization, logic, concision, clarity, style, and grammar. A student can come in at any stage of the writing process—from brainstorming a topic to polishing a final draft.

The Center is open Monday through Friday, with walk-in hours available Monday through Thursday.

Center for Science & Medical Journalism

This Center trains graduate students and practicing journalists to recognize, investigate, and explain science and medical issues for mainstream and specialty news media outlets. A strong internship component exists for students at organizations such as Newsweek, Popular Science, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Discovery Channel, and National Public Radio. Coursework offers science and medical news reporting, writing, and editing. Electives are available in narrative storytelling, radio reporting, documentary film-making, and screen writing. The overall aim is to broaden society’s understanding of science, medicine, and medical research.

Los Angeles Internship Program

The Los Angeles Internship Program offers a semester of study and work in the heart of the film and television industry. Courses are taught by members of the Boston University faculty and by alumni who also provide internship positions and serve as mentors in and outside of the classroom. Upon succesful completion of a semester, students earn 16 Boston University credits (three 4-credit courses and a 4-credit internship), which fall within the film and television curriculum. All grading is done by Boston University faculty or the Academic Director.

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Washington Journalism Center

A semester is available at the Washington Journalism Center which offers an advanced certificate in political reporting. Journalists have the chance to improve their writing and reporting skills and develop a specialty in political reporting by spending a semester in Washington, D.C. A course in political reporting is offered along with seminars on the legislative process, money and politics, and political feature writing taught by national journalists. Students are provided with internships in the D.C. bureaus of national print and broadcast news organizations. They also have the opportunity to create a portfolio of national stories while serving as the Washington correspondents for New England news outlets through the Boston University Washington News Service, whose newsroom is equipped with state-of-the-art television and radio equipment.

Boston Statehouse Journalism Program

A semester is available at the Statehouse Journalism Center, which offers an advanced certificate in political reporting. Journalists have the chance to improve their writing and reporting skills and develop a specialty in political reporting by spending a semester covering events at the Massachusetts Statehouse and the Boston City Hall. A seminar in state and municipal reporting is offered, covering the legislative process, money and politics, and political feature writing, taught by the Program’s director, a prominent political journalist. Students are provided with internships in political reporting at major print and broadcast organizations in the Boston metropolitan area. They also have the opportunity to create a portfolio of political news and feature stories while serving as the Statehouse correspondents for Massachusetts news outlets, through the Boston University Statehouse News Service, using press facilities at the Statehouse and fully-equipped, professional broadcast studios on campus, which is just 20 minutes away.

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Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215

1 October 2008
Boston University
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