Quantitative Research in Communication

by Mike Allen, B. Scott Titsworth, Stephen Hunt

Overview

Written for communication students, Quantitative Research in Communication provides practical, user-friendly coverage of how to use statistics, how to interpret SPSS printouts, how to write results, and how to assess whether the assumptions of various procedures have been met. Providing a strong conceptual orientation to techniques and procedures that range from the "moderately basic" to "highly advanced," the book provides practical tips and suggestions for quantitative communication scholars of all experience levels.

In addition to important foundational information, each chapter that covers a specific statistical procedure includes suggestions for interpreting, explaining, and presenting results; realistic examples of how the procedure can be used to answer substantive questions in communication; sample SPSS printouts; and a detailed summary of a published communication journal article using that procedure.

Features

· Engaged Research application boxes stimulate thought and discussion, illustrating how particular research methods can be used to answer very practical, civic-minded questions.

· Realistic examples at the beginning of each chapter show how the chapter's procedure could be used to answer a substantive research question.

· Examples and application activities geared toward the emerging trend of service learning encourage students to do projects oriented toward their community or campus.

· Summaries of journal articles demonstrate how to write statistical results in APA style and illustrate how real researchers use statistical procedures in a wide variety of contexts, such as tsunami warnings, date requests, and anti-drug public service announcements.

· How to Decipher Figures show students how to "read" the statistical shorthand presented in the quantitative results of an article and also, by implication, show them how to write up results .

Quantitative Research in Communication is ideal for courses in Quantitative Methods in Communication, Statistical Methods in Communication, Advanced Research Methods (undergraduate), and Introduction to Research Methods (Graduate) in departments of communication, educational psychology, psychology, and mass communication.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412956963
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	09/12/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Mike Allen is Professor in the Department of Communication at UW-Milwaukee. Mike received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University, his MA from the University of Wyoming, and his BA from Lewis and Clark College. His primary research interest is in the area of social influence in which he has more than 150 published works. The International Communication Association awarded him the John E. Hunter memorial award for life time achievement in communication research using meta-analysis. He is past editor of Communication Studies and current editor of Communication Monographs.

Scott Titsworth is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication Studies at Ohio University. Scott received his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska, his MA from Missouri State University, and his BFA from Emporia State University. His primary research interest is instructional communication, with a particular emphasis in connections between affect, emotion, learning, and classroom communication. Scott teaches a variety of graduate and undergraduate classes including research methods, ANOVA, and Regression; in 2008 Scott was awarded the title of “University Professor” for excellence in the classroom.

Stephen K. Hunt is an Associate Professor, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Political Engagement Scholar, Co-Chair of ISU's American Democracy Project, and Associate Director of the School of Communication at Illinois State University. Stephen received his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, his MA from the University of Northern Iowa, and his BFA from Emporia State University. He has published articles on several topics including instructional communication, persuasion, and communication pedagogy. His major research interests include the pedagogy of political engagement, critical thinking, communication skill assessment, and training/mentoring graduate students. In 2008, Stephen received the Stan and Sandy Rives Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Education as well as the University Teaching Award.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Quantitative Research
An Overview of Quantitative Research
Steps in Quantitative Research
An Overview of the Book
2. Using Statistics in Quantitative Research
Types of Statistics
The Logic of Hypothesis Testing
Writing Results
Sample SPSS Output
3. Independent Samples or Students t-Test
Understanding the Independent Samples t-Test
Calculating the Independent Samples t-test
Assumptions of the t-Test
Using Computer Programs to Calculate t-Tests
Interpreting Results of an Independent Samples t-Test
The Independent Samples t-Test in Communication Research
Sample SPSS Printouts
4. ONEWAY Analysis of Variance
Understanding the ONEWAY ANOVA
Calculating a ONEWAY ANOVA
Assumptions of the ONEWAY ANOVA
Using a Computer to Calculate ONEWAY ANOVA
Interpreting the Results of a Significant ONEWAY
The ONEWAY ANOVA in Communication Research
Sample SPSS Printouts
5. Factorial ANOVA
Understanding the Factorial ANOVA
Calculating the Factorial ANOVA
Assumptions of ANOVA
Using Computer Programs to Calculate Factorial ANOVAs
Interpreting the Results of a Significant ANOVA
The Factorial ANOVA in Communication Research
Sample SPSS Printouts
6. Analysis of Covariance
Understanding the Analysis of Covariance
Assumptions of the ANCOVA
Interpreting the Results of ANCOVA
Concluding Comments of ANCOVA
The ANCOVA in Communication Research
Sample SPSS Printouts
7. Multivariate ANOVA
Multivariate Design
Repeated Measures
The MANOVA in Communication Research
Sample SPSS Printouts
8. Chi Square-Statistic
Understanding the Chi-Square Statistic
Calculating a Chi-Square
Assumptions of the Chi-Square Statistic
Using Computer Programs to Calculate a Chi-Square
Interpreting the Results of a Significant Chi-Square Statistic
The Chi-Square in Communication Research
Sample SPSS Printouts
9. Simple Bivariate Correlation
Understanding the Correlation Coefficient
Calculating the Correlation Coefficient
Assumptions of the Correlation Coefficient
Using Computer Programs to Calculate Correlation Coefficients
Interpreting the Results of a Correlation
Correcting for Various Artifacts
The Correlation Coefficient in Communication Research
Sample SPSS Printouts
10. Multiple Regression
Understanding Multiple Regression
Calculating a Multiple Regression
Assumptions of Multiple Regression
Using Computer Programs to Calculate Regression
Interpreting the Results of a Multiple Regression
Multiple Regression in Communication Research
Sample SPSS Output
11. Factor Analysis
The Purpose of Factor Analysis
Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA)
Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA)
Factor Analysis in Communication Research
12. Advanced Modeling Techniques
Understanding Advanced Modeling
Describing the Model
Understanding the Test
Two Methods of Analysis
Other Advanced Modeling Approaches
Path Analysis in Communication Research
13. Meta-Analysis
The Mathematical Argument for Meta-Analysis
The Practical Argument for Meta-Analysis
The Structure of Writing a Meta-Analysis
Meta Analysis in Communication Research
Appendix A: Critical Values for the t Statistic
Appendix B: Critical Values for the Chi Square Statisic
Appendix C: Critical Values for the F Statistic
Appendix D: Critical Values for the r Statistic