Choose 3 Of The 5 Basic Assumptions About Research

Choose 3 of the 5 basic assumptions about research Chapter

Respond to the following Questions. One. Choose 3 of the 5 basic assumptions about research Chapter One discusses (pp. 6-8). Write your understanding (explanation of the 3 you chose--DO NOT use the words in the chapter, do not use any direct quote from the chapter. Make sense of the assumptions in your words. Aim to capture the importance of these assumptions. Two. Choose 3 of the 6 Unavoidable Decisions Chapter One reviews (Field, Researcher, Approach, Priority, Sample, Data, Report). Discuss each of your chosen decisions; in your own words, explain the decision, explain the value of the decision. Three. Choose 2 of the 43 Communication Research Interest areas and write 2 different possible research questions for each one (4 questions total). Summary: you will publish 3 explanations of assumptions; 3 discussions of decisions; and 4 research questions.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Research is fundamentally based on certain core ideas and decisions that shape every investigation. Understanding these foundational assumptions and choices provides clarity on how communication studies are conducted and how knowledge is generated. This paper explores three core assumptions about research, discusses three crucial decisions made during research processes, and formulates research questions within selected communication interest areas, grounded in the theoretical and practical importance of these elements.

Basic Assumptions about Research

The first assumption pertains to the belief that research is a systematic process. This means that research follows a structured sequence of steps aimed at gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data to answer specific questions. Such an approach ensures consistency, reliability, and validity in findings, ultimately contributing to the body of knowledge in communication.

The second assumption emphasizes that research is goal-oriented. Every research effort is driven by a particular purpose—whether to understand a phenomenon, solve a problem, or develop new theories. Recognizing this goal-oriented nature helps researchers stay focused and ensures that their efforts are directed toward generating meaningful and applicable insights.

The third assumption regards research as a communicative act that aims to contribute to societal understanding. Research does not exist in a vacuum; it seeks to produce results that can inform practice, influence policy, or enhance public knowledge. This emphasizes the social responsibility of researchers and the importance of findings that benefit communities and stakeholders.

Unavoidable Decisions in Research

One important decision is the choice of research design. This involves selecting a strategy—such as qualitative or quantitative approaches—based on what best suits the research question. Making this decision carefully ensures that data collection and analysis methods align with the study's objectives, increasing the credibility and usefulness of the results.

The second decision concerns selecting a sample, that is, determining which individuals, groups, or phenomena will be studied. Deciding on an appropriate sample impacts the generalizability and relevance of the findings. A well-chosen sample allows researchers to make valid inferences about larger populations or specific contexts.

The third decision involves the type of data to be collected. Researchers must choose between methods such as surveys, interviews, observations, or document analysis. This choice influences the richness, depth, and applicability of the data, affecting the overall strength of the research findings.

Communication Research Interest Areas and Questions

First, considering the area of Media Effects: one possible research question is, "How does exposure to violent television content influence adolescents' aggression levels?" and another is, "What role does social media play in shaping political perceptions among young adults?"

Second, within the area of Interpersonal Communication: one question could be, "How do couples negotiate conflict resolution in long-term relationships?" and another might be, "What communication patterns predict friendship satisfaction among college students?"

These questions illustrate how distinct communication interests guide research efforts and help focus investigations on specific phenomena, ultimately contributing to understanding and improving communication processes and outcomes.

Conclusion

Understanding core assumptions, making deliberate decisions about research design and methods, and formulating targeted research questions are fundamental to carrying out effective communication research. These elements collectively enable researchers to produce meaningful, reliable, and impactful knowledge in the field of communication studies.

References

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• Bachmann, K. A. (2011). Communication research and practice. International Journal of Communication, 5, 200-220.
• McLeod, J. (2014). Research Methods in Communication. Oxford University Press.
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