Communication Research Methods in Postmodern Culture

Larry Z Leslie, University of South Florida

Section I - Foundations

 

Chapter 1

Introduction                                                                                                                           

A Backward Glance

A Postmodern Primer

What Is Communication?

Why Research?

Communication Research

Evaluating and Restructuring Our Research Practices                

Postmodernism and Communication Research

 

Chapter 2       

Knowledge, Culture, and Research

Some Important Philosophy

Some Essential History

Additional Factors to Consider

What About Communication Research?

A New Research Outlook

Postmodern Application of Research Results

The Communication Process

Research Ethics

Federal Regulations

 

Chapter 3       

Getting Started

Basic Terminology

Research Guidelines

 

Chapter 4       

Designing a Research Study

The Flowchart Process

                       

Section II - Methodologies

 

Chapter 5       

Focus Group Research

Definition and Uses

A Postmodern Perspective

Advantages and Disadvantages

Basics                         

Logistics

Conducting the Session

Solving Potential Problems

Analyzing the Data

Addressing the Research Questions

Evaluating the Study

Writing the Report

 

Chapter 6       

Survey Research

Definition and Uses

A Postmodern Perspective

Issues and Problems                            

Basics

 

Chapter 7       

Historical Research

Definition and Uses

A Postmodern Perspective                               

Basics                         

Using Quality Sources

Developing a Detailed Plan                              

Logistics

Data Gathering

Analyzing the Data

Addressing the Research Questions

Evaluating the Study

Writing the Report       

The Case Study Method

A Brief Overview

                                                                                               

Chapter 8       

Oral History by Kim Golombisky

Important Examples

A Postmodern Perspective

Definitions and Uses

Issues and Problems

Design

Execution

Analysis

 

Chapter 9       

Text Analysis

Part I—Content Analysis by Timothy E. Bajkiewicz

Part II—Reader-Response

Part III—Deconstruction

Deconstruction in Action: An Example                                      

 

Chapter 10     

Feminist Methodology by Kim Golombisky

An Easy Fit

A Postmodern Perspective

Definitions

Uses

Problems and Issues

Implementation

 

Section III — Writing the Research Report

 

Chapter 11     

Writing Style

What Is Writing Style?

Scholarly Style

APA Style

MLA Style

Chicago Style

 

Chapter 12     

Report Format

Why Write a Report?

Who Is the Audience?

The Traditional Format

A Specialized Format

A Section-By-Section Explanation

Some Likely Variations

 

SECTION IV—APPLICATIONS

 

Chapter 13     

An Individual Research Proposal

Rationale

The Individual Research Proposal

Your Research Proposal Topic

The Individual Research Project                                   

 

Chapter 14      

A Group Research Project

Rationale

Procedure

Group Evaluation