Communication Research Exam 1

Predicting behavior (How would John react if I wrecked the car?)

A blanket observations--stereotypes.

benefits: help us get through things if we overgeneralize

how to fix: commit to how many observations to make

ignoring things that don't fit the pattern. eg. buying a new car and recognizing more of the same car

when logic is not used to come to conclusions. 

observation

One big reality: Different views are wrong.

One reality with many interpretations.

No one reality, only many realities 

basing information on observation

trying to find a pattern of communication behavior, think probabilistic pattern

the majority of the whole--group, not individuals

studying the processes of message production, transmission and meaning making

systematically examine the content or form of communicative messages

studying the functions and effects of messages

Comprehensive survey of what's already been done (scholarly journals, books/chapters). Provides the argument for your research questions or hypothesis.

Measurable, survey, numerical research

• Title, byline, abstract (in italics)
• Introduction: the purpose of study/rq
• Method: Participants, materials, procedures
• Results: Contains statistical language
• Discussion: English translation of results
• References

• 1. Try not to evaluate a study outside the parameters of the approach to knowing in which it is positioned.
• 2. Try not to reject findings because a study its method are not perfect.
• 3. Try not to confuse form with substance

• 1. Exploration: Initial step into topic area
• 2. Description: Describe a phenomenon
• 3. Casual/Functional Explanation: How/Why? Finding out how one variable impacts another.
• 4. Understanding: Qualitative goal (interviewing) Second step when you move beyond describing an event to really understanding what is going on.

Individual, group, social artifact, organization

HOW you're collecting data, through which means?

Less observation. A snapshot.

• A video: Takes more observation.
• Trends (monthly survey to see if people like president), Cohort (comparing freshman each year), panel (using same people over time)

Physical setting is part of the study

Physical setting is NOT part of the study

Seeks to explain a class of situations or events rather than a single one

Study variables through quantitative research

Cause comes first

Required

Enough

Start with observations. Facts to theories, moves from particular instances to general principles.

Start with theories

States a predicted empirical outcome, what you expect to happen based on research

Can be proven false

Both go up or down together

As one goes up, the other goes down

when one variable is not measurable numerically--male v. female

Relationship is positive or negative. More specific

We're not sure. More vague--amount of conflict will vary between roommates.

How, specifically, variables will be measured

Presumes no difference in relationship.

Nazis, prisoners, unethical researchers

NO ONE knows the identity of person being surveyed

ONLY RESEARCHERS know identity of those being surveyed

Okay if debriefing is done after

Pseudonyms, not disclosing identifiable information, describing group not individuals

Owe it to the scientific community and to society.