International Journal of Communication

Scope & Guideline

Championing high-quality research in communication.

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of International Journal of Communication with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1932-8036
PublisherUSC ANNENBERG PRESS
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2011 to 2024
AbbreviationINT J COMMUN-US / Int. J. Commun.
Frequency1 issue/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressUNIV SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, KERCKHOFF HALL, 734 W ADAMS BLVD, MC7725, LOS ANGELES, CA 90089

Aims and Scopes

The 'International Journal of Communication' aims to provide a platform for scholarly work that addresses the complexities of communication in a rapidly evolving global landscape. The journal focuses on a wide range of topics related to media, technology, culture, and society, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and innovative methodologies.
  1. Interdisciplinary Communication Research:
    The journal encourages research that spans various disciplines, integrating perspectives from sociology, cultural studies, media studies, political science, and technology studies to understand communication phenomena in diverse contexts.
  2. Impact of Digital Media on Society:
    A core area of focus is the examination of how digital media platforms influence social interactions, political engagement, cultural production, and public discourse, particularly in the context of globalization and technological advancements.
  3. Critical Analyses of Media and Communication:
    The journal publishes critical analyses that interrogate the role of media in shaping public perceptions, ideologies, and social movements, with an emphasis on issues of power, representation, and inequality.
  4. Crisis Communication and Public Health:
    Research addressing communication strategies during crises, such as public health emergencies (e.g., COVID-19), is a significant area, highlighting the importance of effective messaging and community engagement.
  5. Cultural and Political Communication:
    The journal explores the intersections of culture and politics, examining how communication practices contribute to identity formation, activism, and the negotiation of power dynamics in various societal contexts.
  6. Media Literacy and Misinformation:
    With the rise of misinformation and disinformation, the journal emphasizes research on media literacy, critical thinking, and the role of communication in combating false information.
  7. Global and Transnational Perspectives:
    The journal seeks to incorporate global perspectives, particularly from underrepresented regions, to enrich the understanding of communication practices and media systems worldwide.
The 'International Journal of Communication' has increasingly focused on emerging themes that reflect the current landscape of communication studies, particularly in relation to digital media, social movements, and global challenges. These trends indicate a shift towards more contemporary and interdisciplinary approaches.
  1. Digital Activism and Social Movements:
    Research exploring the role of social media in facilitating activism and social movements, particularly in contexts of political unrest and social justice, has gained significant traction.
  2. Algorithmic Culture and Data Privacy:
    There is a growing emphasis on the implications of algorithms and data privacy in communication, examining how algorithmic decision-making affects individual agency and societal norms.
  3. Health Communication in Crisis Situations:
    The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased focus on health communication strategies, particularly how information is disseminated and perceived during health crises.
  4. Intersectionality and Communication:
    Emerging studies are increasingly addressing intersectionality, exploring how various identities (e.g., race, gender, class) intersect and influence communication practices and experiences.
  5. Platform Studies and Mediated Communication:
    Research centered on the role of digital platforms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram) in shaping communication practices and content creation is on the rise, reflecting the growing importance of these platforms in everyday life.
  6. Misinformation and Disinformation Studies:
    The challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation have prompted a surge in research focused on understanding the mechanisms behind misinformation spread and strategies for effective communication.
  7. Cultural Representation in Digital Spaces:
    There is an emerging focus on how cultural narratives and identities are constructed and represented in digital spaces, particularly in relation to marginalized communities.

Declining or Waning

While the 'International Journal of Communication' continues to evolve, certain themes have shown signs of declining prominence in recent publications. This shift may reflect changing priorities in the field or the emergence of new areas of interest.
  1. Traditional Media Analysis:
    There appears to be a waning focus on traditional media analysis, such as print journalism and broadcast television, as researchers increasingly turn their attention to digital and social media platforms.
  2. Historical Media Studies:
    Research that emphasizes historical perspectives on communication, while still relevant, has seen a decrease in frequency, possibly overshadowed by more contemporary issues related to digital transformation.
  3. Local News Coverage:
    The emphasis on local news and its impact on community engagement has diminished, likely due to a broader focus on global and transnational communication issues.
  4. Theoretical Frameworks from Previous Decades:
    Some theoretical frameworks that dominated earlier scholarship, such as agenda-setting and cultivation theory, seem to be less frequently applied in favor of newer, more dynamic models that account for the complexities of digital media.
  5. Gender Studies in Media:
    Although gender studies remain important, the specific focus on traditional gender roles in media representation has seen a decline, possibly due to a more intersectional approach that encompasses a wider range of identities and experiences.

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