OrCom 199 TFC (31067)

Topic 3  :  Formulation of the research problem: issues on Organizational

                  Communication as sources of research topics

Activity:  Choosing a research topic

 Intended Learning Outcome:  After studying this module, you should be able

         to:

         1.  Discuss issues that Organizational Communication scholars must be

              aware of; and

         2.  Discern which among these issues remain relevant to date and could be

               possible OrCom research topics.

 Let’s Begin

         The knowledge about existing issues on organizational communication will

          enable you to make the appropriate choice of topic for your research

          proposal and eventually your undergraduate thesis.  Crucial to the process

          of deciding for a research topic is your ability to gauge the relevance and

          significance of existing or persisting issues about organizational 

          communication. Having the awareness of the range of issues that

          confronts Organizational Communication scholars will allow you to discern

          whether or not issues are worth researching on.

 Read/Watch

          Wrench, J. Punyanunt-Carter, N., & Ward, M. Sr. (2014). The Dark Side of

                     Organizational Communication. Organizational Communication:

                    Theory,  Research, and  Practice (pp. 2022-2033). Washington, D.C.:

                    Flat World Knowledge, Inc. 

            Wrench, J. Punyanunt-Carter, N., & Ward, M. Sr. (2014). The Professional

                      Side of Organizational Communication.  Organizational

                      Communication:  Theory, Research, and  Practice  (pp. 2189-2392).

                      Washington, D.C.: Flat World Knowledge, Inc.

Think

          1.  Describe the three components of what Wrench refers to as “The Dark

             Side of Organizational Communication.”

         2.  Discuss Wrench’s idea of “The Professional Side of Organizational

              Communication.”

         3.  From the two chapters by Wrench, infer two categories of issues about

              organizational communication.

         4.  Which issues among the categories could be a good choice for a

               research topic?  Explain your answer.

Dig deeper 

         Stewart, T. (2002). Problem Development. Principles of Research in 

                  Communication  (pp. 14-24). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.