Communication research asking questions, finding answers - Keyton, Joann (Mountain View, Calif. Mayfield Pub., 2001)
Table of Contents: Preface. Section 1. RESEARCH BASICS. Chapter 1. Introduction to Research in Communication: What is Research? -- Research for Consumers -- Scholarly Research -- Communication as a Social Science -- What Kinds of Questions do Communication Scholars Ask? -- Chapter 2. The Research Process: Getting Started: The Researcher as a Detective -- The Research Process Model -- Identifying the Research Problem -- Using Library and Database Resources -- Reading Scholarly Articles and Books -- The Role of Theory in Research -- Continuing with the Research Process -- Chapter 3. Introduction to Quantitative Research: What is Quantitative Research? -- Creating the Foundation for Quantitative Research -- Research Hypotheses for Quantitative Research -- Research Questions in Quantitative Research -- Types of Variables -- Operationalizing Variables -- Making the Case for Quantitative Research -- Chapter 4. Introduction to Qualitative Research: What is Qualitative Research? -- Conceptualizing Research Questions for Qualitative Research -- What Counts as Data in Qualitative Research -- Making the Case for Qualitative Research -- Comparing Quantitative and Qualitative Research -- Triangulation -- Chapter 5. Research Ethics: Ethical Questions in Planning Research -- Ethical Issues in Conducting Research -- Ethical Issues in Reporting Research -- Section 2. THE SPECIFICS OF RESEARCH METHODS. Chapter 6. Measurement: Measurement Principles -- Levels of Measurement in Communication Research -- Issues of Validity and Reliability -- Issues of Data Interpretation -- Chapter 7. Sampling, Significance Levels, and Hypothesis Testing: Population and Sample -- Significance Levels -- Hypothesis Testing -- A Final Word -- Chapter 8. Quantitative Research Designs: The Experimental Framework -- Quasi-Experiments -- Non-Experimental Designs -- Research Effects and Procedural Bias -- Comparing Research Designs -- Chapter 9. Surveys, Questionnaires, and Polls: What is a Survey? -- Designing a Survey -- Pretesting the Survey or Questionnaire -- Using Surveys and Questionnaires as Part of a Sound Research Design -- Survey Reliability and Validity -- Analyzing Survey Data -- Reporting Survey Data -- Chapter 10. Descriptive Statistics: Normal Curve -- Descriptive Statistics -- Application of Descriptive Statistics -- Crunching the Numbers: Calculator or Computer? -- Chapter 11. Testing for Differences: Inferential Statistics -- Chi-Square -- The t-Test -- Analysis of Variance -- Asking for Statistical Help -- Chapter 12. Testing for Relationships: Basic Assumptions -- Correlation -- Regression -- Cautions in Using Statistics -- Chapter 13. Analyzing Content: Content Analysis -- Interaction Analysis -- Conversation Analysis -- Quantitative or Qualitative? -- Chapter 14. Designing Qualitative Research: The Researcher's Role in Qualitative Methodologies -- Identifying the Research Focus -- Observing Qualitative Data -- Analyzing Qualitative Data -- Reliability and Validity Issues in Qualitative Research -- Finalizing the Research Design -- Chapter 15. Qualitative Methods: Field Interviewing -- Focus Groups -- Storytelling as Narratives -- Ethnography -- Section 3. READING AND WRITING RESEARCH REPORTS. Chapter 16. Reading and Writing the Quantitative Research Report: The Literature Review -- The Methods Section -- The Results Section -- The Discussion Section -- Finishing the Quantitative Research Report -- Using APA Style -- Issues in Writing -- Chapter 17. Reading and Writing the Qualitative Research Report: Parts of the Qualitative Research Report -- Preparing to Write -- Presenting the Core Idea or Question -- Writing About the Method -- Results and Discussion -- Drawing and Supporting Conclusions -- Finishing the Qualitative Research Report. -- Appendixes: A. Personal Report of Communication Apprehension -- B. Formulas and Steps for Statistical Calculations -- C. Random Numbers Table -- D. Sample Protocol for Experimental Study. -- Glossary. References. Author Index. Subject Index.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 386-398) and indexes.
Keywords: Communication -- Research