Mass Communication and Society

Scope & Guideline

Unveiling the Impact of Communication on Social Change

Introduction

Welcome to the Mass Communication and Society 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 Mass Communication and Society, 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
ISSN1520-5436
PublisherROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2008 to 2024
AbbreviationMASS COMMUN SOC / Mass Commun. Soc.
Frequency6 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address2-4 PARK SQUARE, MILTON PARK, ABINGDON OX14 4RN, OXON, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

Mass Communication and Society focuses on the intersection of media, communication, and societal dynamics. The journal aims to advance understanding of how media influences social behavior, public opinion, and cultural norms. It encompasses a wide range of topics that reflect the evolving landscape of mass communication in the digital age.
  1. Media Influence and Public Opinion:
    Research exploring how various forms of media shape public perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors, including studies on misinformation, media trust, and the impact of news framing.
  2. Civic Engagement and Social Movements:
    Investigating the role of media in facilitating or hindering civic engagement, activism, and social movements, particularly in the context of political polarization and crisis.
  3. Digital Media and Communication Technologies:
    Examination of the effects of digital platforms and technologies on communication practices, including social media dynamics, online discourse, and the implications of digital activism.
  4. Cultural Representations and Identity:
    Analysis of how media representations influence cultural identities and societal norms, including issues of race, gender, and sexuality in various media forms.
  5. Psychological and Emotional Responses to Media:
    Studies on how media content affects emotional and psychological outcomes, such as the impact of narrative structures, humor, and emotional appeals in political and social discourse.
  6. Ethics and Media Practices:
    Exploration of ethical considerations in media production and consumption, including the responsibilities of journalists, the impact of media literacy, and the role of public trust in media.
Recent publications in 'Mass Communication and Society' reveal several emerging themes that highlight the journal's responsiveness to contemporary issues in media and communication. These trends reflect the ongoing evolution of the media landscape and its societal implications.
  1. Misinformation and Trust:
    A significant increase in research addressing the dynamics of misinformation, its spread on social media, and the impact on public trust in media institutions and information sources.
  2. Digital Activism and Civic Engagement:
    Emerging studies focus on how digital platforms facilitate civic engagement and activism, particularly during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing the power of social media in mobilizing communities.
  3. Impact of Emotional Appeals in Media:
    Growing interest in how emotional narratives and appeals in media content influence audience engagement, political behavior, and societal attitudes, particularly in the context of partisan media.
  4. Intersectionality in Media Representation:
    Increased emphasis on intersectional analyses of media representation, examining how race, gender, and class intersect to influence public perceptions and cultural narratives.
  5. Health Communication in Crisis Contexts:
    Research exploring the role of media in health communication, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, and its effects on public health behaviors and perceptions.
  6. The Role of Humor in Political Discourse:
    An emerging theme examining how humor and satire function within political communication, influencing public opinion and engagement with political issues.

Declining or Waning

While 'Mass Communication and Society' has consistently addressed a broad array of themes, some areas of focus appear to be declining in prominence in recent publications. This shift may reflect changing societal dynamics or evolving research interests within the field.
  1. Traditional Media Analysis:
    Research focusing solely on traditional media formats, such as print newspapers and broadcast television, seems to be decreasing as attention shifts towards digital and social media platforms.
  2. Single-Narrative Frameworks:
    The reliance on single-narrative frameworks in analyzing media effects is waning, with more scholars favoring multifaceted approaches that consider the interplay of various media and societal factors.
  3. Non-Digital Audience Studies:
    Studies that focus exclusively on non-digital audiences and their media consumption patterns are becoming less common as digital media's ubiquity necessitates a more integrated approach.
  4. Static Models of Media Influence:
    There is a noticeable decline in the use of static models to explain media influence, with a growing preference for dynamic, context-sensitive models that account for the changing media landscape.

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