The Ebb and Flow of Communication Research: Seven Decades of Publication Trends and Research Priorities

Nathan Walter · Michael J. Cody · Sandra J. Ball‐Rokeach

107 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Communication

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scientometrics and bibliometrics research Media Studies and Communication Psychology Research and Bibliometrics

Abstract

An analysis of all published research articles in the Journal of Communication (N = 1574) revealed a slow progression toward openness and diversity of thought, interrupted by temporal slowdowns and declines. Among the recorded gaps is the overwhelmingly small representation of voices outside the United States. The assumption of interdisciplinarity is also questioned, as primary journal contributors were limited to a small set of sub-disciplines. The results also reveal a dominance of the (post-)positivistic paradigm and quantitative methods. While the relative proportion of atheoretical research is decreasing, there is also a remarkable slowdown in new theory development. Finally, with a steep decline in federal funding, communication scholars are becoming more reliant on universities, public organizations, and private donors.

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References

1999Communication Theory as a Field 1955The Process and Effects of Mass Communication 2001Communication Theories: Perspectives, Processes, and Contexts 2004Theory and Research in Mass Communication

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