Communication Research: Asking Questions, Finding Answers

by Joann Keyton

This text covers basic research issues and both quantitative and qualitative approaches to communication research. The guiding principle of the text is that methodological choices arise from one’s research questions and hypotheses; thus, the text focuses first on the research process, and then discusses the methodological tools for understanding and conducting basic communication research projects. In the second edition, every chapter includes examples based on research from 2002 and thereafter, and revisions improve the balance of quantitative and qualitative research perspectives as well as of data collection and analytical procedures.

Genres: Nonfiction

416 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 2001

Reviews

[Brandon T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Communication Research" is useful tool for understanding the research process. It splits research methods into two basic types: quantitative and qualitative, and discusses the differences and similarities of both. Much space is also devoted to statistical methodology.

The book does not do much to cover the foundational theories in the communications field. It can be repetitive and overly wordy at times. Understanding the overall process can be confusing because some chapters describe both qualitative and quantitative approaches, while other sections place the two approaches into separate chapters.

It is definitely worth the time and effort if you want to learn how professional research is conducted.

[Emma M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is already an incredibly dull subject but somehow the book found a way to make it even duller than I imagined it ever could be. It somehow makes simple things seem complicated. So not worth the amount the time and money I spent.

[Kristen Zhang]

看的其实是复旦出版社邓建国老师翻译的版本。其实这本书只能作为社会学研究方法的补充，若要对研究方法有一个更加融会贯通的理解还是要用社会学的教材

[Kara Rochester Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously not an exciting book by any means but very thorough and informative

[ANINDITA ISLAM]

Informative if trying to learn about qualitative research and its methodology.

[Trisha Swed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used this as a textbook for my class. It’s fine content wise, but I don’t like how it is organized.

[Aimée]

Required reading for a class. I don't think I've ever read a book that used some form of the word "communicate" on seven out of eight lines of text in a row. That eighth line was the end of a parenthetical citation, so it really shouldn't count. Ha.

Dry subject. Starts out as a dry reading. Not interested in the subject, but it's required for my program.

I hate this book.

[Hera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is where our professor took most of our readings for our course subject, Quantitative research. This book is easy to understand.