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Introduction to Communication Research: Becoming a Scholar (2022 Revision)

Lindsey Hand, Erin Ryan, and Karen Sichler

This open workbook for Communications and Sources Investigation was created under a Round Eleven Textbook Transformation Grant:

https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/communication-collections/5/

Author's Description:

Welcome to your journey to becoming a communication scholar! We developed this workbook to guide you through the semester as you learn how understand and conduct scholarly research. What does it mean to be a scholar? A scholar is someone who specializes in a particular area of study. For you, this area is communication. And how do you become a scholar? By doing research.

But why is it important for you to learn research skills? You might be thinking, I want to be a journalist or make TV shows or work in public relations, why do I need to learn how to do research? Well, if you want someone to watch your TV show, read your article, or listen to your campaign, you will need to conduct research to see if the audience you’re targeting even exists. You will need to research to find out if your ideas are original, what the person you’re interviewing for an article has done in the past, or what makes a successful public relations campaign. You’ll need data in order to pitch your new TV show idea.

To be successful in organizational and business communication, it is essential that you learn how to effectively promote successful communication in any institution. This may include writing training manuals, employee handbooks, or conducting in-depth personnel research to ensure overall satisfaction of employees. Also, scholarly research is the foundation of any discipline, and many of the core principles of this field are derived from scholarly research.

Because we want you to succeed in the industry, we will spend the semester learning how to conduct research in the field of communication. We’ll start by providing you with a short history of communication research, show you how to gather academic research, and teach you how to write a literature review. Let's get started!
Introduction to Computer Programming, Application Development, Computer Science I & II Open Course

Myungjae Kwak, Jonathan Jenkins, Joobum Kim, and Kevin Floyd

This Open Course for Introduction to Computer Programming, Application Development, and Computer Science I & II was created under an Affordable Materials Grant. Topics covered include an introduction to the Python Programming Language.
Introduction to Engineering

Rauf Tailony, Rebecca Griffin, Cindi Kirland, and Bernard Majdi

This open textbook for Introduction to Engineering was created under an Affordable Materials Grant. Topics include engineering careers, skills, principles, problems, dimensions, and decision-making.
Introduction to Environmental Science: 2nd Edition

Caralyn Zehnder, Kalina Manoylov, Samuel Mutiti, Christine Mutiti, Allison VandeVoort, and Donna Bennett

2nd Edition: Revised by Kalina Manoylov, Allison Rick VandeVoort, Christine Mutiti, Samuel Mutiti and Donna Bennett in 2017.

Authors' Description:

This course uses the basic principles of biology and earth science as a context for understanding environmental policies and resource management practices. Our planet is facing unprecedented environmental challenges, from oil spills to global climate change. In ENSC 1000, you will learn about the science behind these problems; preparing you to make an informed, invaluable contribution to Earth’s future. I hope that each of you is engaged by the material presented and participates fully in the search for, acquisition of, and sharing of information within our class.

Environmental Science Laboratory (ENSC 1000L) is a separate class and you will receive a separate grade for that course.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Evaluate the diverse responses of peoples, groups, and cultures to environmental issues, themes and topics.
- Use critical observation and analysis to predict outcomes associated with environmental modifications.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the causes & consequences of climate change.
- Apply quantitative skills to solve environmental science problems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of environmental law and policy.
- Design and critically evaluate experiments.
- Interpret data in figures and graphs.
This open textbook for Introduction to Environmental Science was created under a Round Two ALG Textbook Transformation Grant.

Accessible files with optical character recognition (OCR) and auto-tagging provided by the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation.
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Ulrike Ingram, Mark Patterson, Allison Bailey, Amber Ignatius, and Katayoun Mobasher

This textbook was developed as a result of a Round 16 Textbook Transformation Grant through a collaborative effort between Kennesaw State University and University of North Georgia GIS faculty.
Introduction to Golf (UGA)

James Castle, Ilse Mason, Sophie Walter, Stephen Bridges, and Stephen Balfour

This open textbook for Introduction to Golf was created as part of a large, ongoing project to create a Pressbooks platform for physical education courses at the University of Georgia through a Textbook Transformation Grant:

https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/health-collections/8

This is an ongoing project with supplementary videos embedded in the text, and the content of these Pressbooks texts are subject to changes and additions. Topics in this text include:
- Golf Etiquette
- Golf Rules
- Golf Clubs and Shots
- Golf Skills
- Golf Concepts
- Application Assignments
Introduction to Human Geography (2nd Edition)

David Dorrell, Joseph Henderson, Todd Lindley, and Georgeta Connor

This partner text with the University of North Georgia Press was created under a Round Eleven Mini-Grant for Ancillary Materials Creation and Revision. New supporting materials for the book were created under a Round Fifteen Mini-Grant and include exercises, lecture slides, and sample questions.

The UNG Press also hosts a version of the text on their site:

https://ung.edu/university-press/books/introduction-to-human-geography.php

Authors' Description:

"Geography is a diverse discipline that has some sort of connection to most every other academic discipline. This connection is the spatial perspective, which essentially means if a phenomenon can be mapped, it has some kind of relationship to geography.

Studying the entire world is a fascinating subject, and geographical knowledge is fundamental to a competent understanding of our world. In this chapter, you will learn what geography is as well as some of the fundamental concepts that underpin the discipline. These fundamental terms and concepts will be interwoven throughout the text, so a sound understanding of these topics is critical as you delve deeper into the chapters that follow."

Chapters include:
- Population and Health
- Migration
- Folk Culture and Popular Culture
- Geography of Language
- Religion
- Ethnicity and Race
- Political Geography
- Development and Wealth
- Industry
- Human Settlements
- Environment and Resources
Introduction to Networks

Umar Khokhar

This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to networking concepts, designed for undergraduate students. Covering foundational to advanced topics, the materials include chapters on network components, IP addressing (IPv4/IPv6), network topologies, TCP/IP protocols, the OSI model, subnetting, and network operating systems. Each chapter simplifies complex concepts through clear explanations, practical examples, and structured learning objectives to support student success.
Introduction to Nursing (GHC)

Michelle Boyce, Debbie Amason, Paula Stover, Julius Fleschner, and Rebecca Maddox

This LibGuides-based open textbook was created through a Round 13 Textbook Transformation Grant. The text covers an overview of nursing history, professional roles, professional education, legal and ethical considerations, evidence based practice, caring, the culture of nursing, technology and informatics, and nursing theories.

A backup PDF of the entire text and a .zip file of individual PDF chapters is also available for download.
Introduction to Volleyball (UGA)

James Castle, Ilse Mason, Sophie Walter, Stephen Bridges, and Stephen Balfour

This open textbook for Introduction to Volleyball was created as part of a large, ongoing project to create a Pressbooks platform for physical education courses at the University of Georgia through a Textbook Transformation Grant:

https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/health-collections/8

This is an ongoing project with supplementary videos embedded in the text, and the content of these Pressbooks texts are subject to changes and additions. Topics in this text include:
- Golf Etiquette
- Golf Rules
- Golf Clubs and Shots
- Golf Skills
- Golf Concepts
- Application Assignments
Intro to Physical Anthropology Open Textbook

Isabel Maggiano and Corey Maggiano

This Open Textbook for Intro to Physical Anthropology was created under an Affordable Materials Grant. This is the textbook's second edition and includes a new emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, accessibility, as well as primate conservation and welfare.
Italian Language and Culture

Renata Creekmur, Federica Santini, and Andrea Scapolo

This textbook for Elementary Italian Language and Culture I & II and Intermediate Italian Language and Culture I was developed and revised under a Round 17 Mini-Grant.
K-5 Math and Technology Resources

Anthony Scheffler, Shirley Andrews, and Nancy Sartin

This document is a collaborative student work, comprising a directory of resources about mathematics and technology for kindergarten through fifth grade. This resource was created with the support of an ALG Textbook Transformation Grant. Topics include teaching and learning theories, problem solving, assessment, equity, technological tools, and measurements.

Accessible files with optical character recognition (OCR) and auto-tagging provided by the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation.
KEYS to Teaching Success: Planning and Instruction for Secondary Educators

Nancy Remler, Janel Smith, Heather Scott, and Nikki Cannon-Rech

KEYS To Teaching Success is an open textbook aligning with the ten standards required for teacher certification in Georgia. This project composed, published and piloted two chapters of the textbook, which aligned with Standards 9 (Professionalism) and 10 (Communication). This original work was published in the LibGuides system and was piloted during Fall, 2022. In 2024, a Continuous Improvement Grant project added text and activities supporting Standards 1 and 7.
Lab Manual for Applied Programmable Logic Controller

Jinki Kim, Junghun Choi, William Hulse, and Christian Walker

This undergraduate engineering laboratory manual for Applied Programmable Logic Controller was created under an Affordable Materials Grant. Topics include programming guides, wiring guides, ladder diagrams, circuit diagrams, and logic.
Lab Manual for Autonomous Vehicle and Robot Sensors

Jinki Kim, Junghun Choi, William Hulse, and Christian Walker

This undergraduate engineering laboratory manual for Autonomous Vehicle and Robot Sensors was created under an Affordable Materials Grant. Topics include Hall sensors, LIDAR systems, LIDAR mapping, stepper motor control, and signal processing.
Laboratory Manual for Engineering Electronics

Sandip Das, Walter Thain, and Sheila Hill

The primary objective of this project was to improve the laboratory manuals and associated ancillary learning resources for the junior-level course, Engineering Electronics (EE3401), which is a required course for students in three different degree programs at Kennesaw State University – Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, and Computer Engineering.

In this project, we have developed and transformed the previous lab manuals, as well as added new learning materials. We have included detailed technical instructions within the lab manuals, revised the contents for improved readability, implemented coherent formatting across all manuals, introduced interactive links as necessary, developed and integrated pre-lab exercises, created video tutorials, LTspice simulation files and handouts, and MATLAB scripts for data analysis.In addition, we have developed laboratory datasheets for easy and convenient measurement data recording in electronic format using word files and a template for writing lab reports.

A total of 10 lab exercises with various ancillary materials (as described above) have been developed under this project:
- Using LTSpice
- Instrumentation
- Operational Amplifiers
- Differentiator, Integrator, and PWM
- Diode Characteristics
- Rectifiers & Regulators
- MOSFET Behavior
- CMOS Inverter & Amplifier
- BJT Characteristics
- BJT Amplifiers
Laboratory Manual for Introductory Geology

Bradley Deline, Randa Harris, and Karen Tefend

This textbook is a comprehensive lab manual for the core curriculum Introductory Geosciences classes with both informational content and laboratory exercises. Topics include basic laws and theories in Geology, the Earth's interior and plate tectonics, water and climate change, igneous rocks and volcanoes, and earthquakes.

Accessible files with optical character recognition (OCR) and auto-tagging provided by the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation.
Laboratory Manual for Principles of Physics I

Dmitriy Beznosko and Tatiana Krivosheev

This laboratory manual set for Principles of Physics I was created under an ALG Affordable Materials Grant.
Laboratory Manual for Principles of Physics II

Dmitriy Beznosko and Tatiana Krivosheev

This laboratory manual set for Principles of Physics II was created under an ALG Affordable Materials Grant.
Language Connections with the Past: A History of the English Language

David Johnson

Language Connections with the Past: A History of the English Language is a textbook covering the major events and time periods in the history of the English language. The text begins with a general overview of linguistic concepts and terminology. Then the text traces the history of the English language from its Indo-European roots to the Early Modern English Period. The text also includes samples of literature from the different periods. Eight video lectures accompany the textbook. Many of the lectures are read by voice actors in various English dialects to engage students and to illustrate features of various English dialects.
Latinx Media: An Open-Access Textbook

Rielle Navitski and Leslie Marsh

Latinx Media, an open-access textbook, delves into the vibrant phenomenon of film, television, and digital media by and about the Latinx community, introducing readers to the core concepts in each of these media studies fields. Featuring thematic chapters by both distinguished and emerging scholars, the book uses media as a lens to illuminate the diversity and complexity of the US Latinx community in the past and present, examining questions of national origin, race/color, gender, and sexuality. It also includes profiles of prominent Latinx creatives that can be used as models for classroom assignments, plus a roundtable discussion featuring four scholars of Latinx media.
Lecciones de Español

Dennis Miller, Rosario Vickery, and Courtney DuBois

This open textbook for Spanish courses was created as a result of a Round 17 Transformation Grant.
Liberte: French 1001: 2nd Edition

Valerie Hastings and Mariana Stone

Revised 2018: Addition of audio, video, and written activities.

This open textbook for Elementary French I is a web-based remix of the open-source Liberte by Gretchen Angelo. The original text can be downloaded in .pdf format and is freely avalaible under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonComercial-ShareAlike 2.0 license (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) from http://www.lightandmatter.com/french/.
Liberte: French 1002: 2nd Edition

Valerie Hastings and Mariana Stone

Revised 2018: Addition of audio, video, and written activities.

This open textbook for Elementary French II is a web-based remix of the open-source Liberte by Gretchen Angelo. The original text can be downloaded in .pdf format and is freely avalaible under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonComercial-ShareAlike 2.0 license (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) from http://www.lightandmatter.com/french/.