Introduction to Communication Research

A set of flashcards summarizing key concepts and vocabulary related to Communication Research methods and theories.

What is a theory?

An idea about the process through which some system functions; a set of hypotheses explaining how, why, or when something happens.

Objectivist approach

A method in communication research that uses quantitative methods, focusing on empirical data that is numerical, testable, replicable, falsifiable, and objective.

Interpretivist approach

A method in communication research that employs qualitative methods, focusing on empirical texts and words, understanding values, and acknowledging subjectivity.

Scientific Theory

A theory that predicts future outcomes, explains data, is relative simple, has testable hypotheses, offers practical utility, and is often associated with quantitative research.

Interpretive Theory

A theory that clarifies values, provides understanding of people, has aesthetic appeal, builds a community of agreement, and aims for societal reform, commonly linked with qualitative research.

Methodological approaches

Different strategies used in research to evaluate various research questions, including quantitative and qualitative methods.

Quantitative Research

Research that focuses on measurements and numerical data, often associated with the objectivist approach.

Qualitative Research

Research that focuses on understanding meanings, experiences, and values through texts and verbal data, associated with the interpretivist approach.

Testable hypothesis

A hypothesis that can be tested through empirical research and is a key feature of scientific theories.

Practical Utility

The usefulness of a theory in providing insights or applications in real-world scenarios.

Community of Agreement

A consensus among scholars or researchers on certain values or interpretations, often found in interpretive theory.