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Investigating Communication: An Introduction to Research Methods, 2/E
Lawrence R. Frey, University of Memphis
Carl H. Botan, Purdue University
Gary L. Kreps, National Cancer Institute

ISBN-10: 0205198260
ISBN-13: 9780205198269

Publisher: Allyn & Bacon
Copyright: 2000
Format: Cloth; 514 pp
Published: 10/26/1999

Suggested retail price: $110.40
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This textbook provides a comprehensive, balanced introduction to communication research methods. Designed for students who have little or no familiarity with research methods, this book helps them to become more knowledgeable and competent consumers (and producers) of scholarly research and of the everyday research to which they are exposed by the mass media.

Praised for its accessible writing and extensive real-life examples, this text takes students step-by-step through the communication research process. Investigating Communication teaches students how communication research is conducted from start to finish, with the text's organization modeled after a traditional research study. By making the material accessible rather than impossible to learn, students become excited about studying research methods.

  • Includes comprehensive coverage of quantitative data analysis, with examples of basic statistical procedures computed (e.g., Chi-Square, t-test, r, ANOVA), in an organized, detailed, and accessible manner for better student understanding.
  • Provides students with information about the wide range of methods used in the communication discipline (experimental, survey, textual analysis [rhetorical criticism, content and interaction analysis, performance studies], and naturalistic), without privileging one over the other.
  • Contains numerous real-life examples of communication research to give students the latest, cutting-edge material in the field.
  • Follows the organization of an actual research study report to further explain this style to students.
  • Includes an entire chapter on qualitative communication research, ensuring that students have a basic understanding of the two primary types of research methods.

  • Increases emphasis on the role of research in students' lives and the importance of understanding research methods. Personal narratives from students make the material additionally valuable to those who read it.
  • Explains how to conduct a variety of electronic searches (in libraries and on the Internet and World Wide Web), tapping into tools with which students already are familiar (Ch. 3). This chapter also features original material by Diane F. Witmer on research resources on the Internet and World Wide Web.
  • Includes a discussion of meta-analysis as a methodology during the section on literature reviews (Ch. 3) to introduce students to this cutting-edge research method.
  • Adds a new section on performance studies in the chapter on textual analysis (Ch. 9), and features original material by Ron Pelias, to broaden students' exposure to the full range of methods used by communication scholars.
  • Provides additional coverage of naturalistic research methods (Ch. 10), resulting in a more balanced and complete discussion of this field of study.
  • Expands coverage of the analysis of quantitative data from three to four chapters (now Chs. 11-14) to provide students with more detailed information about how to analyze such data and to further illustrate concepts that might be difficult to grasp.

All chapters end with “Conclusion.”

Preface.

I.CONCEPTUALIZING COMMUNICATION RESEARCH.

1.Introduction to the Research Culture.

The Importance of Knowing Research Methods.

Making Claims and Offering Evidence.

Everyday Ways of Knowing.

The Research Process.

The Importance of Distinguishing Research from Pseudoresearch.

2.Asking Questions about Communication.

Defining Communication.

What Constitutes Communication Research?

Areas of Communication Research.

Basic versus Applied Communication Research Topics.

Justifying Communication Research Topics.

Research Questions and Hypotheses.

3.Finding, Reading, and Using Research.

Reasons for Reviewing Previous Research.

The Search for Research.

Diane F. Witmer, Internet and World Wide Web Resources for Research.

How Research Is Presented: Reading Scholarly Journal Articles.

Writing a Literature Review.

II.PLANNING AND DESIGNING COMMUNICATION RESEARCH.

4.Observing and Measuring Communication Variables.

Conceptual versus Operational Definitions.

Measurement Theory.

Measurement Methods.

Measurement Techniques.

5.Designing Valid Communication Research.

Internal and External Validity.

Measurement Validity and Reliability.

Threats to Internal Validity.

External Validity.

6.Research Ethics and Politics.

Ethical Issues in Communication Research.

III.METHODOLOGIES FOR CONDUCTING COMMUNICATION RESEARCH.

7.Experimental Research.

Establishing Causation.

Exercising Control in Experimental Research.

Experimental Research Designs.

Factorial Designs.

Laboratory versus Field Experiments.

8.Survey Research.

The Prevalence of Surveys.

Survey Research Design.

Survey Measurement Techniques.

Using Multiple Methods in Survey Research.

9.Textual Analysis.

Purposes of Textual Analysis.

Important Considerations in Textual Analysis.

Rhetorical Criticism.

Content Analysis.

Interaction Analysis.

Performance Analysis.

Ron Pelias, Performance as a Method.

10.Naturalistic Inquiry.

Common Assumptions Guiding Naturalistic Inquiry.

Types of Naturalistic Inquiry.

The Flow of Naturalistic Inquiry.

Collecting Data in Naturalistic Inquiry.

Start Making Sense: Analyzing and Reporting Qualitative Data.

IV.ANALYZING AND INTERPRETING QUANTITATIVE DATA.

11.Describing Quantitative Data.

Making Sense of Numbers: Statistical Data Analysis.

Describing Data through Summary Statistics.

Describing Data in Standard Scores.

Describing Data through Visual Displays.

12.Inferring from Data: Estimation and Significance Testing.

Estimation.

Significance Testing.

13.Analyzing Differences between Groups.

Types of Difference Analysis.

Advanced Difference Analysis.

14.Analyzing Relationships between Variables.

Types of Relationships.

Correlations.

Regression Analysis.

Advanced Relationship Analysis.

V.RECONCEPTUALIZING COMMUNICATION RESEARCH.

15.Epilogue: Concluding Research.

Discussing Research Findings.

Appendices.

Random Number Table.

Chi-Square Table.

t Table.

F Table.

Pearson r Table.

Spearman rho Table.

Glossary.

References.

Index.

  • Instructor's Manual (Download Only), 2/E
    Frey, Boton & Kreps
    © 2000 | Allyn & Bacon | On-line Supplement | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0205313779 | ISBN-13: 9780205313778

    Instructor's Manual (Download Only), 2/E
    Frey, Boton & Kreps
    © 2000 | Allyn & Bacon | On-line Supplement | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0205313779 | ISBN-13: 9780205313778

    Downloadable files:

    • PDF Version (pdf) (6.8 MB | pdf file | Type: Manuals/Guides)
      Teaching supplement to parent text. Online only.


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