Developing the Communication

Research Proposal
Bridging Theory and Practice
 Possible areas of science
communication research
 Environmental Communication

 Risk Communication (Process Analysis)

 Crisis Communication (Process Analysis, Case Study)

 Organizational Communication

 Perception Study (Baseline Study)/Participatory Action

Research

 KAP Study

 Media Research

 Effects Study
The Research Process

Selection of problem

Review of existing research and

theory

Statement of the problem/research

question

Determination of the appropriate

methodology and research design

Data collection

Analysis and interpretation of data

Writing and presentation of results

 Selecting a Topic: Finding North

 Relevance – can contribute to a body of knowledge and

inform policy

 Doable within the period allowed to do research, affordable,

accessible respondents, realistic sampling frame/samples

 Something that is interesting to you as a researcher

 Search from professional journals (authors suggest topics for

further investigations while editors build issues and themes
related to the articles), periodicals, newspapers, magazines,
blogs
 Determining Relevance of a Topic

1. Is the topic too broad?

2. Can the problem really be investigated?

3. Are the data susceptible to analysis?

4. Is the problem significant?

5. Can the results of the study be generalized?

6. What costs and time are involved in the analysis?

7. Is the planned approach appropriate to the project?

 Review of Literature

1. What type of research has been done in the area?

2. What has been found in previous study?

3. What suggestions do other researchers make for further

study?

4. What has not been investigated?

5. How can the proposed study add to our knowledge of the

area?

6. What research methods were used in previous studies?

 Building the theoretical framework

1. The theory/set of theories where the research is

derived, linked, or anchored

2. The theory that is derived from the research

(grounded theory)

3. Theories “enable a disciplined way to think about a

domain of social reality” (Jensen, 2002 in Lindlof &
Taylor,2011, p. 79)
 text production

TEXT

text consumption

DISCOURSE PRACTICE

SOCIOCULTURAL PRACTICE

Fairclough’s three-dimensional model of discourse analysis

Theoretical framework in analyzing the commons in climate
change coverage (using Garett Hardin’s tragedy of the
commons and Elinor Ostrom’s collective action for governing
common-pool resource)
 Building the conceptual framework

1. Shows the relationships between concepts

of the theory or theories used/variables in
the research
2. Concrete
A conceptual framework for discourse analysis of the
representation of the commons in climate change coverage
by Business Mirror
 Building the Operational Framework

 Shows how the research will be operationalized using specific

theories and concepts
 Operational framework for discourse analysis of the representation of
the commons in climate change coverage by Business Mirror
 Formulating the research question

1. Interesting

2. New and has not been fully studied

3. Can add to new knowledge

4. Feasible

5. Original
 Formulating the research question

1. Clear and specific

2. In question form

3. State limitations

4. Define terms
 Formulating the research objectives

1. What do you want to achieve through research

2. Specific

3. Achievable

4. State how the problem will be answered

 Determining the methodology and
research design
 Quantitative

 Qualitative

 Use of mixed methods

 Qualitative approach: The interpretive paradigm
(naturalism, hermeneutic empericism, constructivism)

 In studying topics of symbol use, sensemaking, and choice

making, the “human sciences” are inherently different from
the natural sciences

 Realities are unique, plural, simultaneous, and local

phenomena. They are accomplished between human
beings through their symbolic practices of expression and
interpretation. Social realities are thus emergent and
collaborative in nature.

 Research should seek to achieve deep understanding of

human actions, motives and feelings. It should illuminate how
humans use cultural symbol systems to create shared
meanings for their existence and activity
 Qualitative approach: The interpretive paradigm
(naturalism, hermeneutic empericism, constructivism)

 Knowledge of social reality emerges from the fundamental

interdependence that exists between researchers and those
they study. Researchers do not use methodological
instruments. They are the instrument.

 Knowledge claims made by researchers are inevitably

positioned and partial. As a result, they should reflect on–
and account for – the contingency of their claims.

 Researchers generate credible knowledge claims through

prolonged immersion in actual social settings and extensive
interaction with other participants. Intimate familiarity with
local meanings and practices is considered a requirement for
successful explanation.
 Qualitative approach: The interpretive paradigm
(naturalism, hermeneutic empericism, constructivism)

 Researchers should use verbal and narrative means to collect

data and to present evidence for their claims.

 Researchers should preserve the subjective experience of

social actors in explaining how their performances are
meaningful.

 Researchers should develop theory inductively. This means

that they repetitively test their tentative explanations against
knowledge gained from ongoing interaction with group
members. Explanation should create increasingly
“expansionistic” understanding of phenomena, both within
and across the sites of their occurrence.
 Qualitative Research in
Communication
 Applied communication (name, explain, and make
improvements on how clients listen, interact, read, write, and
mediate messages)

 Group communication

 Health communication

 Intercultural communication (interaction between and

among different cultural groups)

 Interpersonal communication (personal relationships and

episodes of interactions as situated accomplishments of
speech and nonverbal communication; depict personal
identities as products of language use and culture)
 Qualitative Research in
Communication
 Language and social interaction (“the smallest of language, gesture, or
vocal expressions affect meaning making and can shape socially
consequential outcomes.” (Tracy & Haspel, 2004 in Lindlof and
Taylor,2011,p. 21) > conversation analysis; discourse
analysis;ethnographyt

 Media and Technology Studies

 Organizational communication

 Performance studies (how performers interpret culturally authored

scripts, how they influence and collaborate with audiences in
constructing cultural identities

 Rhetoric (critique of media, institutions, and discourses that constitute

and govern public culture

 Strategic Communication (informing and influencing stakeholders)

Source: Lindlof, T,R. and Taylor, B.C. (2011). Qualitative Research Methods. 3rd.
ed. Sage Publications Ltd.
 Some broad topic ideas for research

 Media Research: Media Coverage of Climate Change

 Media Research: Media Coverage of Science and Technology

(Content Analysis/Frame Analysis)

 The Filipino Scientists in Basic Education Learning Resources

(Textbooks, Audio-visuals, etc.)

 Risk Communication: Are we ready for the BIG one?

 Effects Study: Pinggang Pinoy Campaign

 Effects Study: Impact Assessment of the NSTW Celebrations

(2011-2015)
 Some broad topic ideas for research

 Perception Study: Moving for SPACE (Diwata-1, PhilSA)

 Science Communication and Policy/Communicating Science

to Policy-Makers (Perception Study, Strategic Communication
Initiatives, etc.)

 Effects Study: STARBooks and Students’ Access to Learning

Resources

 Organizational Communication: Project

NOAH/Communicative Behavior of Filipino Scientists

 Effects Study on (Selected) STEM Advocacy Programs for

Students

 Media Research: Media Coverage of Climate Change

 Some broad topic ideas for research

 Use of nuclear science research/nuclear energy (perception

studies, baseline studies)

 Social Media Affordances and Science Advocacy (Nutrition

and Public Health, STEM careers and scholarships, science
education, disaster preparedness, technology transfer, etc.)