The Communication Science Approach Flashcards
Definition of communication
Process in which individuals interact with and through symbols to create and interpret meaning
- process
- systemic
- symbols
- meaning
Tensions in defining communication
Differ in level of observation/ abstraction
- intentionality: intention/ lack of intention in decision to communicate
- normative judgment: whether or not communication is successful/received
Process
communication definition
Constantly happening, Progressive
- Goes beyond interaction
- Example: if someone says something to you and you initially think they are being sarcastic, but thinking about it afterwards, you realize they were actually being serious.
Systemic
communication definition
Not isolated, based on past interactions
- Any message we have has to be contextualized
- Example: if you have a fight with your mom, initially it might seem like a fight about something small, but if you think about the broader system in which the fight is occurring, you may realize that there are other stressors (like, if she just lost her job)
Symbols
communication definition
Arbitrary representations, foundation of communication
-Word and image-based
- Example: people from the US associate the middle finger with vulgarity, while people from Japan associate the pinky finger with vulgarity.
Communication science approach definition
A social, scientific approach to the study of communication
Meaning
communication definition
Moment of understanding, how things are significant
- Combining the three processes (systemic, process, and symbols) to find the true meaning of the message that was originally encoded
Philosophical assumption:
communication sci. approach
There is an objective and independent reality, or realities, that can be accessed or approached using empirical methods
- empirical: something you can observe
Quantitative approach
- Clear sense of what they’re looking for
- Designed in advance
- Numbers and statistics
- Efficient data
- Seeks objectivity
Qualitative approach
- Necessitates interpretation
- Have rough Sense of what they’re looking for
- Emergent design (design changes)
- Words, pictures, objects
- Rich data
- Recognizes subjectivity
Hypothesis
A testable explanation for some observable phenomenon
- Prepositional statements
Building blocks of research
- Tools: the Instruments you use
- Methods:
The perspective on which methods will best answer your research question - Theoretical questions:
systematically related set of ideas used to describe and explain phenomenon - Philosophical assumptions:
foundations of knowledge: epistemology, axiology/ ethics
- All the numbers affect the numbers above them
Research question
The problem posed, as a question, that the researcher seeks to answer by conducting research
- used by both quantitative and qualitative researchers
Experimental design
Testing, in a controlled manner, the cause and effect relationships between variables
Survey methods
Asking questions about beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of the population through interview or questionnaire
Content Analysis
Examining texts to identify, count, and analyze the occurrence of specific messages and message characteristics
Conversation Analysis
Examining naturally occurring verbal and nonverbal messages and interactions in order to analyze the occurrence of specific communicate utterances
Qualitative methods
- Interviews: spoken presentation of questions to evoke responses from people about particular issues, experiences, and messages
- Focus groups: interviews with small groups of people (5-7) about particular topic, experience, or product
- Observation: involves watching people doing and saying things in their natural setting
Taxonomy (Goals of Research)
List of elements that fit into a category
Description (Goals of Research)
The process of using symbols to represent phenomenon
Goals of research
- Description
- Taxonomy
- explanation
- prediction
- cultural understanding
- reform
Explanation (Goals of Research)
- an effort to clarify how something works (how, why, etc.)
- Correlative: demonstrates relationship between two things.
- Causal: outcome A is a result of factor B.
Prediction (Goals of Research)
projection of what will happen to a phenomenon in certain circumstances
- Researchers who use hypotheses to direct their research are guided by this goal
Cultural Understanding (Goals of Research)
- (qualitative scholars)
- Providing insight into what something means in a given context or for a particular cultural community or group