The Communication Theory Research Paper is designed to guide you through the process of developing research in the field. Please see the details below:
Structure
I. Introduction (estimate 2-3 pages)
a. Introduce the communication phenomenon (artifact).
b. Why is this subject of interest/ why is it relevant?
c. What questions does communication theory bring up about the artifact?
d. Preview the structure of your paper
II. Body
a. Development of Artifact (estimate 2-3 pages)
i. See questions below
b. Development of Communication Theory (estimate 2-4 pages)
i. introduce your three theoretical perspectives
ii. Application
iii. See questions below
III. Conclusion (estimate 1-2 pages)
a. Review of your structure.
b. What was revealed in the analysis?
c. Future implications/research?
*Please note that the structure of the paper can change drastically depending on the theoretical lens you choose. A paper that uses Autoethnography will have a different structure than a paper that uses Complex Organizing. The theoretical perspective provides a general approach. If you have specific questions about how to proceed with a given theoretical approach, please contact me.
Artifact
The artifact is the object/subject of your study. The artifact should be interesting, intriguing, offensive, or engaging (most importantly, it should be something meaningful to you that you wish to understand in more depth). Examples include protests, court trials, advertisements, art, political movements, speeches, site specific occurrences, organizational structures, personal events, etc. Please note: the more specific the artifact, the easier it is to direct the research.
Below are several questions to help guide you (not all of these questions are imperative for every analysis):
What is the artifact? Please explain the artifact in full detail.
What is the significance of the artifact, why should we care?
What is the history of the artifact or the history of a similar phenomenon?
How are various groups responding to the artifact?
Why is it important to communication as a field?
