Importance of Communication Research

Importance of Communication Research 1.1 Introduction Communication is an important area of study in today’s world. We gather information depending on others to develop relationships. The effectiveness of our communication is related to our capabilities to interpret the world. Communication Research is conducted to clarify the communication process and help us to understand the importance of communication in our everyday life. It guides us to identify and explore many interrelated elements that make the communication process complete, and help us to develop strategies for using communication more effectively and appropriately. The primary purpose of Communication Research is to special search or investigate and help people understand communication phenomena and direct their communication towards accomplishing individual and organizational goals. Communication is not a new area of research. It has been studied for centuries. The earliest study of communication can be traced back to the fifth century B.C., during the classical period of communication inquiry. Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle studied the public-speaking strategies of Greek orators. Later during the Roman empire, statesmen like Cicero and Quintillion studied the role of public communication in Roman society. Communication Research is influenced by two basic scholarly research processes, viz., behaviourism and phenomenology. Behaviourism is based on the belief that objective knowledge is obtained through the careful and systematic observation and measurement of what people do. Behavioural research method relies on operationalism, transforming abstract concept into behaviours that can precisely be quantified. The goal of behavioural research is to identify and test laws that can explain, predict and lead to the control of behaviour. Phenomenology is based on the belief that what people do depends on what they perceive is what goes on in their mind. Phenomenologists thus focus on how internal, psychological meaning guides behaviour. Phenomenological methods of research rely on discovering how individuals construct meaning and believing that objective observation is not sufficient. The goal of Phenomenological research is to describe how people understand their lived experience. Both behaviourism and phenomenology form the study of communication. Communication certainly is a behaviour that can be studied using behavioural methods in an individualistic or an integrated manner. 1.2  Role of Communication Research The use of a scientific reason for the establishment of speech as a separate department had important implications for the growth of Communication Research. Speech scientists pursue the more recognized human sciences, such as Psychology and Sociology, which had follow such physical sciences as Biology and Physics. Speech scientists take up their research methodologies, as well as many interdisciplinary concepts and perspectives for studying communication phenomena, from the physical and other human sciences. Communication Research has widen its traditional focus on presentational communication, to exploring such communication events and processes as the relationship between communication and attitude formation; communication and relationship development, communication and group decision making, and communication flow within organizations. This broadening of communication research led to changing the name of the professional association from the National Association of Academic Teachers of Public Speaking to the Speech Association of America and, more recently, to the Speech Communication Association. The human scientific perspective of speech expanded from focusing on the areas of public speaking and rhetoric to exploring the broader study of communication in all walks of life. 1.3 Need for Communication Research Communication Research is conducted to help people understand complex and challenging communication phenomena as well as the mundane and apparently simple everyday routines like ordinary conversation. Many areas of communication research demonstrate the complex, multifaceted nature of communication. Further, the centrality of communication in modern life makes knowledge about communication processes crucially important. Systematic and rigorous research means that researchers study worthwhile topics, ask relevant questions, build on previous theory and research, design and conduct careful research, analyze data appropriately, and discuss the significance of the findings. Systematic communication inquiry adds to the body of communication knowledge by providing meaningful descriptions and trustworthy explanations about complex communication phenomena. Research about communication is thus needed for two reasons: to extend the growth of the Communication discipline and to apply what we know. 1.4 Scope of Communication Research Communication Research undertakes the scientific study of communication process. Being scientific it is objective and deterministic. It is interdisciplinary in nature as it borrows heavily both in terms of theory and methods from social and other sciences. In essence it involves application of social behavioural and scientific method to the study of communication issues and problems. It has got a wide scope because it helps in building relations which eventually leads us to the process and path of progress development, otherwise we will be self centered, self contained which will ultimately lead us nowhere. The exchange of idea motivates us to brainstorm, leading to research in related aspect. 1.4.1 Message Analysis: A message is not only about the advertising slogan or a marketing line; a message is an easy and clear idea that describes about the entire project as a whole. It should function as a guiding standard for every type of communications, from the contents of leaflets, brochures and websites and also for media interviews or conversations with important people. The main point is that messages must be simple and steady across all kinds of communications. Without clear and simple messages, a communication agenda requires clarity and focus and hence the agenda is at risk of becoming weak. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨ Analyzing Messages provides a complete and easy guide to carry out content analysis research. It set up a formal definition of quantitative content analysis; which provides gradual instructions on designing a content analysis study; and explores in depth research questions that recur in content analysis, in areas of measurement, sampling, reliability, data analysis, validity, and technology. 1.4.2  Channel Analysis: A channel analysis is an evaluation of how and where a product should be sold. It starts with an assessment of the options for getting a specific product or service into the hands of the end user. 1.4.3  Audience Analysis: Audience analysis is about gathering and analysing information about the receivers of oral, written, or visual communication. There are many methods that a communication researcher can use to conduct the analysis. Because the task of completing an audience analysis is huge, therefore using a multi-pronged approach to conduct the analysis is recommended by most of the researchers, often resulting in improved precision and efficiency. Michael Albers suggests that, â€Å"An analysis uses several independent dimensions that work together, such as readers’ knowledge of the topic and readers cognitive ability.† 1.5 Stages of Communication Research The communication research process can be divided into five interrelated phases of research activity: 1.5.1  Conceptualization: Conceptualization is the first phase of communication research. In this phase the researcher invites formulation of an idea about what needs to be studied. The researcher begins communication inquiry by engaging in such conceptualizing activities as identifying a topic worth studying, defining the primary concepts relevant to the topic and reviewing the literature to learn what is already known about the topic, and phrasing the topic as a formal research problem. 1.5.2  Planning and Designing: Moving from the conceptualization stage to planning and to designing research demands that the researcher transforms abstract concepts into operational or measurable terms. Operationalization involves determining the observable attributes, or characteristics of the concepts of interest. In this stage researcher must develop strategies for measuring those observable concepts. Communication researchers usually rely on three general techniques for measuring research concepts: questionnaire, interviews and observations. These three measurement techniques produce different types of information. Planning and designing communication research involves number of ethical decisions. Ethics affects each stage of the research process: how researcher chooses the research topic and frames questions; how the literature is reviewed and how research is designed and conducted; how the data is analyzed and how the findings are interpreted and used. 1.5.3  Methodology: Once the topic has been chosen and the research questions have been determined and the review of literature has been conducted and research has been designed, then the researchers are ready to conduct their studies. Conducting research carefully demands understanding and adhering to the specific assumption and requirements of the methodology chosen. These methods guide the researchers to what evidence to look for and how to look for it. 1.5.4  Analyzing and Interpreting Data: Once data or evidence has been gathered through the use of the methodology, it needs to be analyzed and interpreted. For methods like experimental, survey and sometimes textual analysis it means processing quantitative data through the use of appropriate statistical procedures. 1.5.5  Reconceptualizing: In this stage the researcher rethinks on the topic of enquiry. As a result of the systematic process associated with conceptualization, planning and designing of research, using methodology to conduct research, and analyzing the data acquired through research. Once data has been collected and analyzed, the findings need to be interpretated within the broader context of the research process. Reconceptualization involves explaining the significance of the findings. In this stage the researcher explains how the findings answer the research questions posed, and confirm or disconfirm the predictions made and, support or refute previous theory and research. Researchers are also able to identify the problem with the research and how these problems may limit the validity and usage of the findings. 1.6  Implications in Research Communication research studies the message behaviour which leads to the following important implications in conduct of communication research: Communication researchers realize that it is just as important to examine meanings attributed to messages as it is to study the nature of the message themselves. Studying the meaning is often necessary so that communication researchers use self-report measures. Communication researchers must select particular communication variables that they wish to examine, since they cannot possibly explore all pertinent elements of any communication event. They are aware, of multifaceted nature of communication and the fact that their research temporarily frames communication behaviour. Acknowledging the nature of communication encourages communication researchers to engage in longitudinal research rather than cross sectional research. Traditionally communication researchers have focused on messages intentionally designed. Some however also assess how people construct internal messages about others unintentional behaviour thereby rendering it communicative. Communication researchers recognize that although verbal and non-verbal message systems may be studied separately however both these message systems are interdependent. Non-verbal cues always accompany and influence the interpretation of verbal messages. Because of connotative characteristic of language, communication researchers usually develop questionnaires and interview guides that carefully avoid using ambiguous terms or term that have strong distracting implications for certain respondents. Because of the differences in the way individuals understand message and create meaning of the messages, communication researchers take great care when generalizing findings from one set of persons to another. Communication researchers realize that although the content and relationship dimensions of message may be studied separately, in practice they interact to influence message exchange and personal relationships. Communication researchers consider the effects of the context in communication. They recognize the ‘embedded’ nature of communication where different social rules apply in different environments. In the final analysis, communication is not just one thing. It is a complex process by which people manage messages and create messages. ________________________________________________________________________________ Self-Check Questions â€Å"Communication Research has got a wide scope because it helps in building relations which eventually leads us to the process and path of progress development.† Is the statement true or false? In ______________________ stage, the researcher rethinks on the topic of enquiry as a result of the systematic process associated with conceptualization. ________________________ is the first phase of communication research. In this phase the researcher invites formulation of an idea about what needs to be studied. ________________________________________________________________________________ 1.7 Summing Up The lesson elucidated the importance of Communication Research. It discussed the role, need and scope of Communication Research. It also discussed various stages of Communication Research. 1.8 Assignments Class Assignments What are the stages of Communication Research? Comment on the scope of Communication Research. Home Assignments What is the need of Communication Research? Comment on the role of Communication Research. Possible answers to Self-Check questions True Reconceptualization Conceptualization Terminal Questions Comment on the role, need and scope of Communication Research. Describe the implications of Communication Research. 1.11  Suggested Further Readings 1. C.R. Kothari, Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, Vishwa Parkashan, New Delhi 2. S.R. Sharma Anil Chaturvedi, Research in Mass Media, Radha Publications, New Delhi 3. G.R. Basotia K.K. Sharma, Research Methodology, Mangal Deep Publications 1.12  Keywords Interdisciplinary: Relating to more than one branch of knowledge. Systematic: Done or acting according to a fixed plan or system; methodical. Conceptualization: Inventing or contriving an idea or explanation and formulating it mentally. Methodology: A system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity.

Women of the Medieval Period

Women during Medieval Times: Imagine living your life as a women during the Medieval times. No personal or legal freedom, you can not do anything with out having permission from a male in your family. In this paper I am going to talk about what life was like for the women who lived through the medieval period compared to women living today in the 20th century. Living life during the medieval period was much different than the life we live today for many reasons, but especially being a women. Women during the medieval period were below men, they were ruled by the males in their families, or once married by their husbands. They were to obey and serve the male family members. Girls that did not respect and do what the men said, were beaten, and not obeying the men was considered a religious crime. But women with a lot of land were considered equal to men and had the same rights a men. If the wives husband dies, the wife would be responsible for taking care of the large estate. At this time it was believed that the purpose for women was the be servants for the males, do as they say, take care of the house, and have to children and take care of them. Marriage at this time was much different than what we think of marriage today. During this time, you did not mary because you were in love with someone. The reasoning for marriage during medieval period was just the opposite. Most of the time you did not get to choose who you were going to be marrying, it was arranged by the families, depending on wealth. The law said that the males had full rights over his wife, once you were married, your husband owned you. The wife was the husbands property. Duties of wives during this time were to take care of the house and have children. A married women would usually have anywhere from four to eight children, and normally one will die. Women on average would live to about fourty years of age. Marie de France, a noble French women, was the first female writer from France. She wrote the story, Laustic which is a story of two knights and their wives and the love scandal they have going on between their homes. In this story, the wife of one of the knights is in love with a knight that lives in the house next to her and her husbands. This knight is also in love with her. Every night the women gets out of bed with her husband and goes to her bedroom window which looks at the knights house, and they look at each other and talk. The women's husband begins to notice her out of bed and at the window ever night. He asked her the reasoning for this and she says that she is listening to a bird, because it brings her much joy. Her husband gets angry at this and tell his servants to kill the bird. They do so and bring it to him, where he kills it with his bare hands. He then throws the dead bird at his wife. She is very upset that he would do such a thing, but the woman can not do anything about this. She can not disobey her husband, or let him know that she is in love with another man. She has no choice but to stay with him and do as he says. In todays world, sadly if you are married and are not happy, or are in love with someone else you get a divorce, and its over, you move on. During the medieval time never would you ever hear of a women not happy with her husband so she left him. Today women have every right that men do. You can say and do pretty much anything you want. Women today can get the same education that men can, but during medieval times, most women did not get any education.

Modern Orthodox Judaism

Judaism (from the Latin Iudaismus, derived from the Greek Ioudaismos, and ultimately from the Hebrew , Yehudah, â€Å"Judah†;[1][2] in Hebrew: , Yahadut, the distinctive characteristics of the Judean ethnos)[3] is the religion, philosophy and way of life of the Jewish people. [4] A monotheistic religion originating in the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Tanakh) and explored in later texts such as the Talmud, Judaism is considered by religious Jews to be the expression of the covenantal relationship God established with the Children of Israel. 5] Rabbinic Judaism holds that God revealed his laws and commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai in the form of both the Written and Oral Torah. [6] Historically, this assertion was challenged by various groups such as the Sadducees and Hellenistic Judaism during the Second Temple period; the Karaites and Sabbateans during the early and later medieval period;[7] and among segments of the modern reform movements. Liberal movements in modern times such as Humanistic Judaism may be nontheistic. 8] Judaism claims a historical continuity spanning more than 3,000 years. Of the major world religions, Judaism is considered one of the oldest monotheistic religions. [9][10] The Hebrews / Israelites were already referred to as â€Å"Jews† in later books of the Tanakh such as the Book of Esther, with the term Jews replacing the title â€Å"Children of Israel†. [11] Judaism's texts, traditions and values strongly influenced later Abrahamic religions, including Christianity, Islam and the Baha'i Faith. 12][13] Many aspects of Judaism have also directly or indirectly influenced secular Western ethics and civil law. [14] Jews are an ethnoreligious group[15] and include those born Jewish and converts to Judaism. In 2010, the world Jewish population was estimated at 13. 4 million, or roughly 0. 2% of the total world population. About 42% of all Jews reside in Israel and about 42% reside in the United States and Canada, w ith most of the remainder living in Europe. 16] The largest Jewish religious movements are Orthodox Judaism (Haredi Judaism and Modern Orthodox Judaism), Conservative Judaism and Reform Judaism. A major source of difference between these groups is their approach to Jewish law. [17] Orthodox Judaism maintains that the Torah and Jewish law are divine in origin, eternal and unalterable, and that they should be strictly followed. Conservative and Reform Judaism are more liberal, with Conservative Judaism generally promoting a more â€Å"traditional† interpretation ofJudaism's requirements than Reform Judaism. A typical Reform position is that Jewish law should be viewed as a set of general guidelines rather than as a set of restrictions and obligations whose observance is required of all Jews. [18][19] Historically, special courts enforced Jewish law; today, these courts still exist but the practice of Judaism is mostly voluntary. [20] Authority on theological and legal matters i s not vested in any one person or organization, but in the sacred texts and rabbis and scholars who interpret them. [21]

Hong Kongs Economic Forecast - 1212 Words

As Hong Kong is a small economy that is highly open to trade, it is also highly susceptible to global economic shocks. This is most recently evidenced by the GDP slowdown to 1.7% driven by negative trade developments and the inevitable drop in exports due to the global economic crisis. However, despite the weak global economy, Hong Kongs growth has rebounded due to the resilience of domestic demand along with low unemployment, most notably in low-skilled sectors. Additionally, beneficial fiscal policies providing counter-cyclical support to the economy have bolstered Hong Kongs economic health. Through such actions as waiving rates for properties, reducing public housing rents, increasing capital spending, and tax relief, Hong Kongs†¦show more content†¦In doing so, countervailing macro-prudential measures should also continue to be employed to ensure the integrity of the financial system. Under similar duress, there exists the risk of a severe dislocation of global financ ial markets; due to the failure of a parent bank for example. Such a disruption would lead an economic environment of increased risk aversion and stress, ultimately followed by bank deleveraging. In this environment the price of risk assets, such as equities and property, would decline inciting a further decrease in confidence and engaging in a spiral of negative feedback. As conditions worsened, the decrease in confidence would thus cause negative wealth effects and drop in both consumer and business spending. In order to prevent the occurrence of such adverse circumstances, officials should focus of the provision of liquidity through preexisting facilities. Despite these risks to Hong Kongs future, a series integral factors inherent to its Hong Kongs economic environment should allow them to overcome any potential duress. 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