Communication Research

Ms. Lincy Joseph

Research Scholar
Department of Communication &Media Studies
Bharathiar University, Coimbatore

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
Definition of Research
• Leedy (1997:3) : The systematic process of collecting and analysing
information (data) in order to increase our understanding of the
phenomenon with which we are concerned or interested.

• Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, cited by Powell,

1997:2): Studious inquiring or examination; especially: investigation
or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts,
revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or
practical applications of such new or revised theories or laws.

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
Communication Research
• According to Reinard (2001:4), communication research is “a
speciality that studies message-related behaviour.”

• Media research is the study of the social, psychological and physical

aspects and effects of the different mass media.

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
Why Mass Media Research?
• Radio and Television stations need to know how many people tune in
to their programme, in order to set their advertising rates.

• Publishers need to know what their audience likes and dislikes,

What and Why they attend to some content and not to others, and
What effects, if any, their messages have on individuals and on
society.

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
Why Mass Media Research?
• Journalists engaged in in-depth reporting assignments may need to
determine the effects of a new policy or the effectiveness of an old
one.

• Public information officers, public relations practitioners, and those

who work in advertising need to know whether their messages are
reaching their publics and whether their campaigns are effective

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
Why Mass Media Research?
• Both businesses and non profit agencies need to know how to
communicate with their employees, clients, and customers.

• In the manufacturing and high-tech sectors, companies need assurance

that the manuals for their products are accurate and that they meet
the needs of end users.

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
Why Mass Media Research?
• Politicians, government leaders, interest groups, non-profit agencies,
and many businesses need to know which issues people care about,
how to increase issue awareness, and how to garner and maintain
support.

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
 Communication Research
Areas and Issues

• Communication policy and law: Role of lawmaking and policy

making relevant to various communication systems.

• Communication and technology: Communication process in existing

or emerging new technologies

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
 Communication Research
Areas and Issues
• Comparative media systems: Structures and functions of media
systems in various nations
• Cross-cultural communication: Communication practices of people
of different national cultures

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
 Communication Research
Areas and Issues
• Development Communication: Communication in national
development.
• Family communication: Communication between family members
• Group communication: Communication between members of task
groups or work teams

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
 Communication Research
Areas and Issues
• Health communication: Communicative messages focused on health
promotion and health care.
• Instructional communication: Communication process associated
with learning contexts

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
 Communication Research
Areas and Issues
• Interpersonal communication: Communication process associated
with interpersonal relationships, including acquaintances, friends,
romantic partners, and marital partners
• Intrapersonal communication: Cognitive processes related to the
production or interpretation of behaviour

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
 Communication Research
Areas and Issues
• Language and social interaction: How talk is enacted in specific
situations or cultural groups.
• Legal communication: Communication in legal contexts.
• Mass communication: Mediated communication process, including
the electronic, cinematic, and print media.

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
 Communication Research
Areas and Issues
• Organisational communication: Communicative messages between
organisational members
• Political communication: Communication associated with politics
and public argument

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
 Communication Research
Areas and Issues
• Popular communication: Communication associated with
contemporary popular culture.
• Public communication:
Communication between speakers and their audiences in public
speaking contexts
• Public relations: Communication between organisations and specific
publics.

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com
Thank You

lincyvjoseph@gmail.com