Communication -- Research
Communication -- Research -- Methodology
Communication -- Statistical methods
Communication in politics -- Research
Mass media -- Philosophy
Mass media -- Research
Mass media -- Research -- Methodology
Qualitative research
Qualitative research -- Methodology
Quantitative research
Quantitative research – Methodology
Social sciences -- Research
Social sciences -- Methodology
Applied Mass Communication Theory: A Guide for Media Practitioners by
Applied Mass Communication Theory: A Guide for Media Practitioners, Second Edition bridges a review of theory to the contemporary work of media professionals. The text provides a framework for constructing an undergraduate research project. It also presents vital chronological information on the progression of theory in mass communication, including a model that integrates mass communication theories and shows how they relate to one another. It concludes with information on media law, ethics, economics, and mass media careers, establishing a critical framework for students as they leave college and begin their first jobs. This Second Edition discusses mass communication theory and its applications in both traditional print and broadcast applications. By exploring advertising and public relations in this new digital multi-media environment, this text remains relevant, and in fact necessary, for students in the field.
Encyclopedia of Communication Theory by
With more than 300 entries, these two volumes provide a one-stop source for a comprehensive overview of communication theory, offering current descriptions of theories as well as the background issues and concepts that comprise these theories. This is the first resource to summarize, in one place, the diversity of theory in the communication field.Key ThemesApplications and ContextsCritical OrientationsCultural OrientationsCybernetic and Systems OrientationsFeminist OrientationsGroup and Organizational ConceptsInformation, Media, and Communication TechnologyInternational and Global ConceptsInterpersonal ConceptsNon-Western OrientationsParadigms, Traditions, and SchoolsPhilosophical OrientationsPsycho-Cognitive OrientationsRhetorical OrientationsSemiotic, Linguistic, and Discursive OrientationsSocial/Interactional OrientationsTheory, Metatheory, Methodology, and Inquiry
The International Encyclopedia of Communication Theory and Philosophy by 
Major Theories of Media Effects : Analysis and Evaluation by 
Theories of Human Communication by
The text presents a full complement of foundational theories for the communication discipline, plus the contemporary evolutions of those theories.
Comprehensive, up-to-date coverage is based on a survey of the articles in communication journals over the last five years.
New areas covered include health, social media, and communication between humans and nature/objects/technology/the divine.
Theorizing Crisis Communication by
Theorizing Crisis Communication presents a comprehensive review and critique of the broad range of theoretical frameworks designed to explain the role of communication in the development, management, and consequences of natural and man-made crises. Brings together the variety of theoretical approaches emerging in the study of crisis communication into one volume for the first time. Summarizes theories from such diverse perspectives as rhetoric, risk management, ethics, mass communication, social media, emergency response, crisis outcomes, and warning systems, while presenting clear examples of how the theory is applied in crisis communication research Presents theoretical frameworks generated by research from many disciplines including sociology, psychology, applied anthropology, public health, public relations, political science, organizational studies, and criminal justice An essential tool for a comprehensive understanding of the onset, management, response, resolution, and ultimate meaning of these devastating world events
Suggested Tip for Finding a Theory Relevant to Your Research Topic
The Illustrated Guide to the Content Analysis Research Project by
The Illustrated Guide to the Content Analysis Research Project makes mass media research more accessible through an informal and humorous student-centered approach. Author Patricia Swann provides a colorful, step-by-step guide to developing a typical mass media research project using the content analysis method. The fundamental elements of this research method are presented in plainspoken language perfect for undergraduates and new researchers, complete with engaging illustrations and an informal narrative that tackle students' most common sticking-points when learning and applying research methods. Supplemented by online worksheets for further reflection, this book is an excellent companion to research-centered courses in mass media, communication studies, marketing, and public relations at the introductory level.
Media Research Methods: Audiences, Institutions, Texts by
This indispensable textbook provides student researchers with extensive guidance and methods from across the social sciences and humanities, showing them how to make informed choices and consider the many alternatives available throughout the research process. Unique in approach, the text focus on how to do media research across three key strands - audiences, institutions and texts -and critically assesses a wide range of methods, addressing why they are appropriate or useful in certain scenarios. Written by two experts with a wealth of experience between them in teaching research methods and skills, this excellent resource explains complex methods in a clear and accessible way, offering practical guidance on how to use different methodologies, while situating the methods in the context of critical evaluations of previously published research. Providing a complete overview of media research methods while encouraging students to develop their own intellectual frameworks, this book is invaluable for undergraduates, postgraduates, novice and more experienced researchers of media, communication and journalism.
Routledge Handbook of Applied Communication Research by
The Routledge Handbook of Applied Communication Research provides a state-of-the-art review of communication scholarship that addresses real-world concerns, issues, and problems. This comprehensive examination of applied communication research, including its foundations, research methods employed, significant issues confronted, important contexts in which such research has been conducted, and overviews of some exemplary programs of applied communication research, shows how such research has and can make a difference in the world and in people's lives. The sections and chapters in this Handbook: explain what constitutes applied communication scholarship, encompassing a wide range of approaches and clarifying relationships among theoretical perspectives, methodological procedures, and applied practices demonstrate the breadth and depth of applied communication scholarship review and synthesize literature about applied communication areas and topics in coherent, innovative, and pedagogically sound ways set agendas for future applied communication scholarship. Unique to this volume are chapters presenting exemplary programs of applied communication research that demonstrate the principles and practices of such scholarship, written by the scholars who conducted the programs. As an impressive benchmark in the ongoing growth and development of communication scholarship, editors Lawrence R. Frey and Kenneth N. Cissna provide an exceptional resource that will help new and experienced scholars alike to understand, appreciate, and conduct high-quality communication research that can positively affect people's lives.
The SAGE Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods by
Communication research is evolving and changing in a world of online journals, open-access, and new ways of obtaining data and conducting experiments via the Internet. The SAGE Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods contains entries that cover every step of the research process, accompanied by engaging examples from the literature of communication studies. Key features include: 652 signed entries spanning four volumes, available in choice of electronic or print formats A Reader's Guide groups entries thematically to help students interested in a specific aspect of communication research to more easily locate directly related entries Back matter includes a Chronology of the development of the field of communication research; a Resource Guide to classic books, journals, and associations; a Glossary introducing the terminology of the field; and a detailed Index Entries conclude with References/Further Readings and Cross-References to related entries to guide students further in their research journeys The Index, Reader's Guide themes, and Cross-References combine to provide robust search-and-browse in the electronic version
Sourcebook for Political Communication Research by
The Sourcebook for Political Communication Research will offer scholars, students, researchers, and other interested readers a comprehensive source for state-of-the-art/field research methods, measures, and analytical techniques in the field of political communication. The need for this Sourcebook stems from recent innovations in political communication involving the use of advanced statistical techniques, innovative conceptual frameworks, the rise of digital media as both a means by which to disseminate and study political communication, and methods recently adapted from other disciplines, particularly psychology, sociology, and neuroscience. Chapters will have a social-scientific orientation and will explain new methodologies and measures applicable to questions regarding media, politics, and civic life. The Sourcebook covers the major analytical techniques used in political communication research, including surveys (both original data collections and secondary analyses), experiments, content analysis, discourse analysis (focus groups and textual analysis), network and deliberation analysis, comparative study designs, statistical analysis, and measurement issues.
Research Methods and Techniques in Public Relations and Advertising by
The authors in this volume present a new point of view related to research methods and techniques in public relations and advertising. The book seeks to provide a research guide that covers topics including selecting and writing a research subject, data collection, and analysis selection for beginner researchers. The articles focus on various methods such as netnographical analysis, experimental study, case analysis, discourse analysis, Delphi method, survey, etc.
Measures, scales, indexes, and tests relevant to Communication Studies are available in the various types and formats of publications. Here are a few resources available through the FSU Libraries.
| SUBJECT | RESOURCES | NOTE |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | [Books] Communication Research Measures III: A Sourcebook (2019. eBook w/unlimited access) ...Offers an assessment of measures in mass, interpersonal, instructional, group, organizational, family, health, and intercultural communication and highlights work in emergent subdisciplines in communication, including social media and new communication technologies, sports communication, and public relations. Communication Research Measures II: A Sourcebook (2011. eBook w/unlimited access) ... Including measures from outside the communication discipline that have been employed in communication research. [Journal] Communication Methods and Measures [Databases] Communication & Mass Media Complete |
Explore the Communication Research Measures:A Sourcebook series to explore scales and measures in Communication and other related fields. At the Communication & Mass Media Complete database, if you know the name of the test or scale, enter the name. Change the drop-down menu to AB for abstracts. If you want to explore measurements and tests on a topic, enter the subject keyword on the first row. On the next row of the search box, type test OR scale OR measure OR survey OR questionnaire OR index. Change the drop-down menu to AB for abstracts. |
| Psychology | [Databases] APA PsycTests ...Provides access to noncommercial, unpublished psychological tests, measures, scales, surveys, and other assessments APA PsycINFO |
At the APA PsycTests, you can find the original publication where your test or measures were published. Check the bibliography of the article to trace papers that cited the original source. Watch this short YouTube video tutorial on how to find tests at the APA PsycTests here |
| Health |
[Databases] CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature) Plus with Full Text |
|
| Marketing | [Books]
Marketing scales handbook: Multi-item measures for consumer insight research. Volume 11 (2021. eBook with unlimited access) Marketing scales handbook. Multi-item measures for consumer insight research. Volume 9 |
At the business article databases, enter a subject term. On the next row, enter Test OR Scale OR Measure OR Index OR Survey and choose AB for abstracts. Then combine subject keywords by the AND connector. E.g., (Test OR Scale OR Measure OR Index OR Survey) AND "social media" |
| Education | [Databases] ERIC ETS Test Collection |
At the ERIC database (ProQuest), in the Document Type box, check the 160: Tests/Questionnaires box and add your subject search term. |
| Social Sciences | [Database] Sage Research Methods Online |
Sage Research Methods Online provide access to the full text of research methods books published by the Sage Publishers(such as the Little Green Books series and the Little Blue Books series) |
| General | [Database] Dissertations & Theses Global (ProQuest) Social Science Premium Collection |
Check the appendix of a thesis or dissertation for an original survey questionnaire or details of the research method. |
[News Polls]
[Polling Agencies]
[Collection of Polls from Different Sources]
Fore more sources on polls and public opinions data, click here.
From the U.S. Census. Topics include Age and Sex, Ancestry, Children, Computer and Internet Use, Foreign Born, Hispanic Origin, International, Language Use, Migration/Geographic Mobility, Older Population and Aging, Population Estimates, Population Projections, Race, and Veterans
Check their Data Center for the US and international data indicators including Gini Index of Income Inequality, Net Migration Count, Percent of the Population Living in Poverty, etc. 2021 World Population Data Sheet is also available.
Population estimates and projections for 227 countries and areas. Includes Population Pyramids.
Search by country or region.
Population estimates and projections that have been prepared by the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat. The main results are presented in a series of Excel files displaying key demographic indicators for each UN development group, World Bank income group, geographic region, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) region, subregion and country or area for selected periods or dates within 1950-2100.
For more information, check our U.S. Census Data Guide
FSU Student Statistics
FSU Office of Institutional Research https://ir.fsu.edu/students.aspx
Statistics on College Students
Almanac of Higher Education (from The Chronicle of Higher Education)
https://www.chronicle.com/section/Almanac-of-Higher-Education/141
Open Doors (for international students in the U.S. and American students studying abroad)
https://www.iie.org/en/Research-and-Insights/Open-Doors
Tip:
Newspapers or journal articles might be an excellent source to look up the statistics on college
students. Depending on your research topic, you might want to explore a Psychology database
such as APA PsycINFO, an Education database such as ERIC, or even a Nursing database such as
CINAHL.
PsychINFO https://lib.fsu.edu/get/psycinfo
ERIC https://lib.fsu.edu/get/ericcsa
CINAHL https://lib.fsu.edu/get/cinahlft
At Google Scholar, try the following search statement:
("college students" OR "university students") "mental health" survey
à This will yield papers, blogs, etc. that are about survey research on mental health issues of
college students. Please note that I used quotes for a phrase searching, and used parentheses
to group similar concepts together.
Another example:
("college students" OR "university students") ("video game" OR gaming) qualitative
Not always, but highly likely, you may find the questionnaire that was used to conduct the
research at the Appendix or Supporting Material section of a research paper.
See this Consumer Demographics page.
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/
E.g., Smoking
MedlinePlus Health Statistics https://medlineplus.gov/healthstatistics.html
World Health Organization (WHO)’s Global Health Observatory
https://www.who.int/data/gho
E.g., Nigeria’s neonatal mortality rate
For a comprehensive list of data sources on public health, see here.
Company information
Company Website > About > Invest Relations (or Investors) > Annual Report
Business Source Complete database …Company profile. SWOT Analysis.
E.g., Microsoft
Industry information
For sales, audiences, revenue, the proportion of the market (market ratio)
IBISWorld Industry Market Research database…Industry report. Industry SWOT analysis
https://lib.fsu.edu/get/ibisworld
E.g., Beer (brewery) industry (for major players and the market share)
eMarketer Pro https://lib.fsu.edu/get/emarket
E.g., Internet of Things (under Media), college students (under Demographics)
Consumer and Market information
Mintel Academic
E.g., Movie theatres (see data book), luxury consumers.
Search the database with “college students” to pull off various market reports
on college students
Business Journal Articles
Business Source Complete database https://lib.fsu.edu/get/bscomp
ABI/INFORM Collection database https://lib.fsu.edu/get/abi-com
Statistics
Statista http://lib.fsu.edu/get/stati
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