How to Conduct Communication Research
Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
(First Edition)
©2025, 408 pages
Paperback list price: $134.95
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Readers are introduced to research paradigms and the foundations of communication research In Parts I and II, to qualitative methods in Part III, and to quantitative methods in Part IV. Each chapter provides a short preview, main concepts and key terms, user-friendly guiding examples, and strategies for overcoming common obstacles. Examples and activities throughout the book reflect social issues and demonstrate how conducting communication research can explain related outcomes, help students understand what different experiences are like, and disrupt social norms that serve to marginalize and disenfranchise groups of people.
Appropriate for any course level, How to Conduct Communication Research is the ideal, accessible textbook and resource for today’s students.
Kristina M. Scharp (Ph.D., University of Iowa) is an associate professor in the School of Communication and Information at Rutgers University.
Elizabeth Dorrance Hall (Ph.D., Purdue University) is a communication researcher and social scientist. She is an associate professor of communication at Michigan State University and director of the Family Communication and Relationships Lab. Her research focuses on difficult conversations and how close relationships evolve over time.
Other Cognella titles by Kristina M Scharp:Other Cognella titles by Elizabeth Dorrance Hall:
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"The authors absolutely knock it out of the park with regard to the proposed problem and solution. There is a severe need for a good textbook that explains both qualitative and quantitative methods well, in a digestible format. It’s as though the authors read my mind. I would absolutely assign chapters from this textbook in my graduate research methods course. If I ever taught an introduction to the field course, I would assign this textbook. I would recommend this textbook to my colleagues who are teaching this course now to graduate students, and also recommend the textbook for my colleagues teaching undergraduate research methods courses (which, at present, are entirely quantitative). [...] I would recommend this textbook to a colleague and highlight that it, perhaps for the first time ever in our field, does justice to both qualitative and quantitative methods equally (vs. a quantitative scholar writing about qualitative methods, for example)."
Elizabeth A. Hintz, University of Connecticut
"There is definitely a need for a book like this. I like the fact that the chapters are shorter and that there is room to pick and choose what to cover in a semester. I thought that made the book more appealing. Additionally, the content coverage appeals robust—there’s a nice variety of topics that go into different depths depending on what your course needs… The discussion of critical methods is especially timely. [...] With easy to understand, short chapters, this book gives an overview of the research process that is approachable for people new to the experience. It includes relevant examples and activities to help illustrate big ideas and the overcoming obstacles section helps address many of the big questions students have as they work to comprehend these new experiences. The goal of the book is to ease students into field so that they don’t feel overly anxious or overwhelmed by everything."
Jenna McNallie, Augsburg University
"One of the most impressive aspects of the material is how practical it is. So many of these chapters deal with stuff that I am telling my students directly, but I’ve never had a resource that I could use to direct students to read more about anything. On that note, I also find it impressive to assemble all of these various topics together in one book. That’s really helpful. […] The research process is often so individualized because people have to go off and work on their own, so I also like that the book could be used as a guide as students are going through that process. "
Toni Maisano, St. Norbert College
"The idea of the book is fantastic. It tackles qual/quant research in communication. As I read through the rationale for the book, it became very clear that the authors have thoughtfully considered the range of conditions under which this course is taught – type of school, type of student, type of class, etc. […] My gosh, they [the chapters] are extremely current! […] This [textbook] provides a thorough and thoughtful treatment of the range of qualitative research, which is lacking in all other methods texts published in the discipline. I am extremely impressed with the quality of writing and the selected content. I felt smarter having read it, and that I will now approach research more informed."
Leah E. Bryant, DePaul University
"I am excited about this textbook and the range of methods, as well as the flexibility of the chapter/text design, for teaching undergraduate and master’s student research methods, even doctoral students. The concise yet detailed nature of each chapter is exceptional! It was truly easy to follow each method and learn how a researcher might employ each method and for what type of research project. I think the shortness of the chapters is a major selling point, considering they cover any important information related to a given method. I think students will be able to keep focused by learning methods from the way the content is formatted and organized."
Britney S. Morrissey, University of Oklahoma
"I am happy to see a communication textbook that covers both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The content coverage is valuable and necessary and useful for student learning. […] The book is written very well. I think it is digestible for any learning level, which is great for communication textbooks. […] I think the overcoming obstacles section of each chapter is extremely valuable to students. When going through graduate school and conducting research, many of the obstacles discussed presented themselves."
LaShawnda M. Kilgore, University of Missouri-Columbia
"The writing style makes the material very approachable. The coverage of topics is a benefit as students would likely only need to purchase one book. […] The chapters are super-short and clearly written so that students will easily be able to read. […] It’s a new methods textbook focused on communication that really does it all!"
Patricia E. Gettings, University of Albany, SUNY
"This text is a straightforward approach to how to do methods; simplifying the research process. The organization of the chapters allows much room for faculty input into the lectures and teaching process, using the text as a base with the faculty adding depth in the areas most important to them."
Nancy J. Brule, Bethel University
Elizabeth A. Hintz, University of Connecticut
"There is definitely a need for a book like this. I like the fact that the chapters are shorter and that there is room to pick and choose what to cover in a semester. I thought that made the book more appealing. Additionally, the content coverage appeals robust—there’s a nice variety of topics that go into different depths depending on what your course needs… The discussion of critical methods is especially timely. [...] With easy to understand, short chapters, this book gives an overview of the research process that is approachable for people new to the experience. It includes relevant examples and activities to help illustrate big ideas and the overcoming obstacles section helps address many of the big questions students have as they work to comprehend these new experiences. The goal of the book is to ease students into field so that they don’t feel overly anxious or overwhelmed by everything."
Jenna McNallie, Augsburg University
"One of the most impressive aspects of the material is how practical it is. So many of these chapters deal with stuff that I am telling my students directly, but I’ve never had a resource that I could use to direct students to read more about anything. On that note, I also find it impressive to assemble all of these various topics together in one book. That’s really helpful. […] The research process is often so individualized because people have to go off and work on their own, so I also like that the book could be used as a guide as students are going through that process. "
Toni Maisano, St. Norbert College
"The idea of the book is fantastic. It tackles qual/quant research in communication. As I read through the rationale for the book, it became very clear that the authors have thoughtfully considered the range of conditions under which this course is taught – type of school, type of student, type of class, etc. […] My gosh, they [the chapters] are extremely current! […] This [textbook] provides a thorough and thoughtful treatment of the range of qualitative research, which is lacking in all other methods texts published in the discipline. I am extremely impressed with the quality of writing and the selected content. I felt smarter having read it, and that I will now approach research more informed."
Leah E. Bryant, DePaul University
"I am excited about this textbook and the range of methods, as well as the flexibility of the chapter/text design, for teaching undergraduate and master’s student research methods, even doctoral students. The concise yet detailed nature of each chapter is exceptional! It was truly easy to follow each method and learn how a researcher might employ each method and for what type of research project. I think the shortness of the chapters is a major selling point, considering they cover any important information related to a given method. I think students will be able to keep focused by learning methods from the way the content is formatted and organized."
Britney S. Morrissey, University of Oklahoma
"I am happy to see a communication textbook that covers both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The content coverage is valuable and necessary and useful for student learning. […] The book is written very well. I think it is digestible for any learning level, which is great for communication textbooks. […] I think the overcoming obstacles section of each chapter is extremely valuable to students. When going through graduate school and conducting research, many of the obstacles discussed presented themselves."
LaShawnda M. Kilgore, University of Missouri-Columbia
"The writing style makes the material very approachable. The coverage of topics is a benefit as students would likely only need to purchase one book. […] The chapters are super-short and clearly written so that students will easily be able to read. […] It’s a new methods textbook focused on communication that really does it all!"
Patricia E. Gettings, University of Albany, SUNY
"This text is a straightforward approach to how to do methods; simplifying the research process. The organization of the chapters allows much room for faculty input into the lectures and teaching process, using the text as a base with the faculty adding depth in the areas most important to them."
Nancy J. Brule, Bethel University
