Communication Research Methods: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on Oct 29, 2024 in Mathematics

Communication Research

Research in Communication

  • Not in Lab: Happens in real-world settings.

  • Societal Influence: Shaped by social dynamics.

  • Depends on: Human and social resources.

Scientific Method

  • Characteristics:

    • Public: Share methods.

    • Objective: No personal judgment.

    • Empirical: Based on experience.

    • Systematic & Cumulative: Builds on past research.

    • Predictive & Self-Correcting

Primary vs. Secondary Research

  • Primary: Collect new data (e.g., surveys).

  • Secondary: Analyze existing data.

Research Question & Hypothesis

  • Research Question: Guides the study.

  • Hypothesis: Testable prediction.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative

  • Qualitative: Exploratory, in-depth understanding.

  • Quantitative: Numbers, statistical analysis.

Literature Review

Literature Review

  • Purpose: Summarize research, define focus, identify gaps.

  • Steps: Review past work, find key researchers, balance tradition and new research.

Literature Review (Chapter 1)

  • Purpose:

    • Synthesize research, identify gaps, establish context, support research questions.

  • Types:

    • Narrative, Systematic, Meta-analysis, Theoretical.

  • Key Components:

    • Introduction, Body (themes/methods), Conclusion.

  • Challenges:

    • Information overload, maintaining objectivity, critical analysis.

Research Topics & Questions

Choosing a Research Topic

  • Questions to Ask:

    • Is it too broad? Can it be investigated? Significant? Time/cost feasible?

Selecting a Research Topic (Chapter 3)

  • Choosing a Topic:

    • Interest, significance, manageability, feasibility.

  • Developing Questions:

    • Clear, focused, researchable.

  • Preliminary Search:

    • Use databases (PsycINFO, JSTOR), identify key terms.

  • Evaluating Sources:

    • Authority, Relevance, Quality.

Quantitative Research

Quantitative Research (Chapter 2)

  • Definition: Focuses on numerical measurement and statistical analysis.

  • Key Characteristics:

    • Objective, Controlled, Statistical Tools, Generalizability, Causality.

  • Methods:

    • Surveys, Experiments, Content Analysis.

  • Strengths: Clear data, test hypotheses.

  • Limitations: May miss context or nuances.

Qualitative Research

Qualitative Research (Chapter 5)

  • Definition: Explores meaning and experience, not reliant on numbers.

  • Key Characteristics:

    • Subjective understanding, Flexible, Rich descriptions, Holistic perspective.

  • Methods:

    • Interviews, Focus Groups, Ethnography, Observation.

  • Strengths: Deep insights, contextualized.

  • Limitations: Time-consuming, hard to generalize.

Focus Groups

  • Group Size: 4-12 people.

  • Type of Data: Qualitative, discussion-based.

Interviews

  • Types: Informal, structured, semi-structured, in-depth.

  • Process: Conceptualize study, design, conduct, analyze.

Surveys

Survey Questions

  • Open-Ended vs. Close-Ended:

    • Open: Qualitative, detailed.

    • Close: Multiple choice, Likert scale.

Good Survey Design

  • Clear, short, unbiased, logical order.

Sampling Methods

Sampling Methods

  • Probability Sampling:

    • Simple Random, Systematic, Stratified, Cluster, Multistage.

  • Nonprobability Sampling:

    • Convenience, Purposive, Quota, Snowball.

Sampling (Chapter 4)

  • Types of Sampling:

    • Probability Sampling (Simple Random, Systematic, Stratified, Cluster).

    • Non-Probability Sampling (Convenience, Purposive, Quota, Snowball).

  • Errors:

    • Sampling Error: Difference between sample and population.

    • Non-sampling Error: Design or data collection errors.

  • Sample Size Considerations:

    • Depends on population, confidence level, resources.

Sampling Considerations

  • Sample Size: Depends on project type, time, and resources.

Survey Analysis

Survey Analysis

  • Steps:

    1. Data Preparation (editing, coding, cleaning).

    2. Descriptive Statistics (mean, median, mode).

    3. Inferential Statistics (T-tests, Chi-square).

    4. Report Findings (charts, tables, narratives).

Survey Analysis (Chapter 7)

  • Stages:

    • Data Preparation (edit, code, enter).

    • Data Cleaning (handle missing data, outliers).

    • Analysis (descriptive & inferential statistics).

  • Statistical Techniques:

    • T-tests, ANOVA, Chi-square, Correlation, Regression.

  • Reporting:

    • Use charts, graphs, interpret results with context.

Research Ethics

Ethics in Research

  • Key Principles (Belmont Report):

    1. Autonomy: Informed consent.

    2. Nonmaleficence: Do no harm.

    3. Beneficence: Remove existing harms.

    4. Justice: Treat equally.

Common Ethical Issues

  • Informed Consent, Deception, Privacy, Bias, Data Integrity.

Research Ethics (Chapter 3)

  • Principles:

    • Voluntary participation, Informed consent, Confidentiality, Avoid harm.

  • IRB Review: Ensures ethical standards.

  • Ethical Issues:

    • Invasion of privacy, Plagiarism, Bias, Deception (must debrief).