Chapter 01 Introduction to Communication Research

Introduction to Communication ResearchChapter 1Research isResearch: Process of asking questions and finding answersApplication of scientific and systematic proceduresAssumes that patterns can be uncoveredEmpirically based methodsYour Relationship with ResearchScholarly researchYou in the role of researcherYou in the role of research consumerProprietary researchCommissioned for private useScholarly ResearchFormal and systematic methodPublicly availableScientific outcomesDescribes behaviorDetermines causes of behaviorPredicts behaviorExplains behaviorResearch and TheoryTheory:Set of concepts, definitions, and propositions that presents a systematic view of the phenomenaDeveloped and tested over timeAttempts to explain and predict phenomenaResearch should be theoretically driven or aid in the creation of theoryCommunication as a Social ScienceSocial science methodsLook for patterns of communication behaviorEmpiricalverify through observations or experiencesFocus on messages; effects of messages & their meaningsQuantitative methodsRelies on numerical measurementQualitative methodsResearcher is the primary observerThe Scientific ApproachResearch follows traditions & proceduresStart with an interesting questionFormulate a hypothesis or research questionUse reason and experience to refine the hypothesis or research questionConduct the observation, measurement, or experimentAnalyze and interpret the dataCharacteristics of ScienceBased on evidenceTestableExplores all possibilitiesReplicablePublic recordSelf-correctingMeasurement and observationRecognizes errorMinimizes bias/distortionSkepticismGeneralizabilityHeuristicMethodological ExtremesMethodological tools for different purposesContent of research question or hypothesis drives selection of the methodological toolA method is only useful if it helps answer the research question or hypothesisQuestions Communication Scholars AskWide variety of questions can be asked about many communication phenomenaDetermine the significance of the questionPersonal interestSocial importanceTheoretical significanceSo what?The Nature of the QuestionsQuestions of fact Provide definitionsQuestions of variable relations Examine if, how, and to what degree phenomena are relatedQuestions of value Ask for subjective evaluationsQuestions of policy Recommend a course of action