OrCom 199 TFC (31067)

Topic 1 :  The nature of  Organizational Communication Research

 Activity:  Review of the nature of research in Organizational Communication

Intended Learning Outcome:  After having attended this synchronous session, you must learn to:

                 1.  explain the features of Organizational Communication research;

                 2.  differentiate it from research done in related fields of study; and

                 3.  identify the challenges in conducting research on communication,

                      with a focus on organizational communication.

 Let’s Begin

           In OrCom 192, you have learned what researchers study in the field of

          communication, specifically on organizational communication.  In this

          lesson, you are to heighten your knowledge about organizational

          communication research by closely looking at its distinct characteristics as

          contrasted to those of related fields of study.  You will also 

          learn about the challenges in doing organizational communication

          research.

Read/Watch

          Reinard, J.C. (2001). The Role of  Research in Communication.  Introduction

                   to Communication Research (3^rd ed., pp. 3-29). New York: McGraw-

                    Hill.

 Think

            As you read Reinard’s chapter titled “Introduction to Communication

          Research,”  answer the following questions:

                1.  How is the field of Organizational Communication described?

              2.  How distinct is its scope from those of other related fields such as  

                    Mass Media Communication,  Speech Communication, and

                    Pragmatic Communication?

              3.  What are the specific challenges associated with the following

                   elements of research?

• • Breadth and focus
  • Multiple methods
  • Scholarly rigor
  • Ethics

ACTIVITY GUIDE

          Participate in the discussion during the synchronous session.