COMMUNICATION RESEARCH

Scope & Guideline

Exploring the Dynamics of Human Interaction.

Introduction

Welcome to the COMMUNICATION RESEARCH information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of COMMUNICATION RESEARCH, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0093-6502
PublisherSAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1974 to 2024
AbbreviationCOMMUN RES / Commun. Res.
Frequency8 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address2455 TELLER RD, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91320

Aims and Scopes

Communication Research aims to advance the understanding of communication processes and their implications across various contexts. The journal focuses on interdisciplinary approaches that encompass theoretical, empirical, and applied research, contributing to both academic knowledge and practical applications in communication.
  1. Theoretical Frameworks in Communication:
    The journal emphasizes the development and critique of theoretical frameworks that explain communication phenomena, including interpersonal, organizational, and mediated communication.
  2. Empirical Research on Media and Society:
    A core focus is on empirical studies that investigate the role of media in shaping public perceptions, behaviors, and societal dynamics, particularly in the context of digital and social media.
  3. Interpersonal and Intergroup Communication:
    Research exploring interpersonal dynamics, including relational communication, conflict resolution, and identity negotiation within and between groups, is a significant area of interest.
  4. Health Communication:
    The journal addresses health communication strategies, effects of media on health behaviors, and the role of communication in public health initiatives, reflecting the growing intersection of media and health.
  5. Political Communication:
    Political communication research is central to the journal, focusing on media influence on public opinion, political behavior, and the dynamics of political discourse in various media environments.
  6. Diversity and Inclusion in Communication:
    The journal is committed to exploring issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in communication practices, examining how identity factors influence communication experiences.
  7. Technology and Communication:
    Investigating the impact of emerging technologies on communication practices, including the effects of artificial intelligence, social media algorithms, and digital platforms, is a prominent theme.
Recent publications in Communication Research reveal several emerging themes that reflect the evolving landscape of communication studies. This section highlights the trending areas that are gaining traction among researchers.
  1. Digital Communication and Online Behavior:
    A growing emphasis on understanding how digital communication platforms influence social interaction, information dissemination, and audience engagement reflects the importance of online behavior in contemporary society.
  2. Mental Health and Well-Being:
    Research is increasingly focusing on the interplay between communication practices and mental health outcomes, particularly in the context of social media and digital interactions.
  3. Algorithmic Influence and Media Literacy:
    As algorithms shape content delivery on social media, studies examining their effects on public perception and consumption patterns are on the rise, highlighting the need for media literacy.
  4. Political Polarization and Discourse:
    The analysis of political communication amid increasing polarization is trending, with researchers exploring how media framing and discourse shape political attitudes and behaviors.
  5. Crisis Communication and Public Health:
    The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed research on crisis communication strategies, particularly in public health contexts, emphasizing the role of communication in managing societal responses.
  6. Identity and Representation in Media:
    Emerging themes focus on how various identities are represented in media and communication, exploring issues of race, gender, and sexuality, and their implications for social justice.
  7. Interdisciplinary Approaches to Communication:
    There is a noticeable trend towards interdisciplinary research that integrates insights from psychology, sociology, and technology studies to enrich communication research.

Declining or Waning

While Communication Research continues to expand its scope in various areas, certain themes appear to be diminishing in prominence. This section identifies those declining areas based on recent publication trends.
  1. Traditional Media Studies:
    Research focusing solely on traditional media formats, such as print newspapers and broadcast television, is becoming less prevalent as the focus shifts toward digital media and online platforms.
  2. One-Dimensional Audience Studies:
    Studies that treat audiences as passive recipients of media messages without considering their active role in media engagement and content creation are declining in favor of more nuanced audience analyses.
  3. Static Models of Communication:
    The use of static models that do not account for the dynamic and evolving nature of communication processes, especially in digital contexts, is waning as scholars seek more adaptable frameworks.
  4. Homogeneous Research Samples:
    There is a noticeable decrease in studies relying on homogeneous samples, as the field increasingly values diversity in research participants to better reflect the complexities of communication.
  5. Overly Generalized Findings:
    Research outputs that lack specificity and fail to address contextual variations in communication practices are receiving less attention, as the field moves towards more context-sensitive analyses.

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