Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Table of contents -- Preface -- Section I Foundations -- 1 Welcome -- A Backward Glance -- A Postmodern Primer -- What Is Communication? -- Why Research? -- Communication Research -- Evaluating and Restructuring Our Research Practices -- Postmodernism and Communication Research -- References -- 2 Understanding Culture and Research -- Some Important Philosophy -- Some Essential History -- Additional Factors to Consider -- What About Communication Research? -- A New Research Outlook -- Postmodern Application of Research Results -- The Communication Process -- Research Ethics -- Federal Regulations -- References -- 3 Getting Started -- Basic Terminology -- Research Guidelines -- References -- 4 Designing a Research Study -- The Flowchart Process -- Discuss the Problem -- Search the Literature -- Revise the Research Question(s) -- Select a Research Method -- Develop a Detailed Plan -- Handle the Logistics -- Execute the Project -- Organize and Analyze Study Results -- Address the Research Question(s) -- Evaluate the Study -- Write the Report -- Reference -- Section II Methodologies -- 5 Focus Group Research -- A Postmodern Perspective -- Advantages and Disadvantages -- Basics -- Logistics -- Conducting the Session -- Solving Potential Problems -- Analyzing the Data -- Addressing the Research Questions -- Evaluating the Study -- Writing the Report -- Interesting Alternatives -- References -- 6 Survey Research -- Definition and Uses -- A Postmodern Perspective -- Issues and Problems -- Basics -- Some Sampling Techniques -- Types of Surveys -- Telephone Survey -- Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing -- Mail Survey -- Other Types of Surveys -- Analyzing the Data -- Additional Data Analysis Suggestions -- Addressing the Research Questions -- Evaluating the Study -- Writing the Report