Applied Communication Research Methods

by Michael P. Boyle, Mike Schmierbach

This third edition is again a practical introduction to communication research methods, foregrounding the role research plays in communication and media industry careers. Covering major methodologies such as surveys, experiments, focus groups, in-depth interviews, content analysis, and others, the book takes the reader through the research process from beginning to end. The text continues to help students link the research methods they learn to practical contexts through its activities and features, which include Voices From Industry boxes written by practitioners that give insight into application of methods; Steps to Success research review checklists; and numerous end-of-chapter activities to reinforce concepts. This third edition contains updates throughout, including an expanded discussion of reliability and validity across both qualitative and quantitative research contexts as well as new Research in Action boxes that showcase how research is used in professional and public contexts. The text is ideally suited to both undergraduate and graduate courses in communication research methods within communication, media, and mass communication programs. Online resources, including sample syllabi, PowerPoint slides, and test banks are available at www.routledge.com/9781032288819.

334 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2015

Reviews

[Alicia Nevárez-Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found several typos in this book. The layout and flow could use some improvements. What's up with throwing vocabulary words into the middle of the chapters?

Also, the "Voices of Industry" section could be a little better defined. I once read a VOI section and a person's entry seemed to go on forever and it sounded so "textbook". It did not, the section was simply "blended" with the textbook chapter.

[Danny Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Misspellings and layout needs work.