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Mass Communications Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

No Change No Gain: A Comparative Framing Analysis of the NFL’s Inspire Change Campaign , Kia K. Cannon

Comparative Analysis of Abortion Coverage in CNN and Fox News from the Perspective of Agenda Setting Theory , Xinyu Chang

From the Patient’s Perspective: Understanding the Colorectal Cancer Patient Experience Portrayed in Edutainment Television , Allison M. Fisher

Influence of Merck Gardasil 9 Advertisements on Male Vaccination Behavior Through a Health Belief Model Framework , Lauren Kierpa

Lights, Camera, Recruitment: Analyzing DoD-Hollywood Synergy and its Effects on Attitudes and Behaviors Towards the Military , Jose-Andres Leon-Gil

Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Media Influencers: Effectiveness of CSR Brand-Endorsed Messaging on Consumers , Hannah Sarmiento

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

An Experimental Analysis of the Effect of Crisis Response Message Strategies on Consumer Emotions, Perceptual Beliefs and Intended Behavior , Valentina Ahumada

How the Taiwanese podcast Bailingguo News framed the 2019 Hong Kong movement: A framing analysis of the anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill , Yu-Fei Chiu

Advocating for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Study of the NHL’s #HockeyIsForEveryone Campaign on Twitter , Jessica Martinez

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

An Analysis of International Soccer Fans’ Knowledge of Qatar, Perceptions of Qatar’s Country Image, and Intention to Support the 2022 FIFA World Cup , Taleb Al-Adbah

Analysis of Prescription Drug Brand Mentions in Music: Prevalence and Consumer Perceptions , Lisa A. Blake

Elements of Instagram Influencer Posts that Drive Follower Engagement , Yishan Li

Communicating Breast Cancer Awareness: Using the Health Belief Model to Develop Mass Communication Themes to Influence Early Detection Behaviors , Srisai Kamakshi Ramya Harika Pucha

The European Super League (ESL): A Political Economy and Media Framing Analysis , Patrick Sidwell

Inaugural Addresses, Framing Theory, and the Impact on American Perceptions of the Presidency , Kalin Meagan Velez

The Use of Social Media by Leaders in Times of Crisis: 2020–21 United States Election Protests , Cagdas Yuksel

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

The Influence of Hate Speech on TikTok on Chinese College Students , Tengyue Chen

Cultivating Courage: Medical Dramas and Portrayals of Patient Self-Advocacy , Alyssa H. Harrell

The Media Reproduction of Racial Violence: A Content Analysis of News Coverage Following the Death of George Floyd Jr. , Keylon Lovett

Credibility of Spokespersons and E-cigarette Prevention Messages: Elaboration Likelihood Model and The Moderating Role of Perceived Risk , Emmanuel Maduneme

An Examination of COVID-19 Health Behaviors and Public Health Messaging Using the Health Belief Model and Organization-Public Relationship Quality , Aaron L. Nichols

The Extended Parallel Processing Model (EPPM) and Risk Perceptions of Twitter messages related to COVID-19 , Muhammad E. Rasul

Framing #MeToo movement in China A Content Analysis of China Women’s News Coverage , Wenminzi Wu

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Super Bowl Ads and the Donald Trump Culture War , Jessica Barron

A Case Study on Black Twitter’s Reactions to the Framing of Blacks in Dove’s 2017 Facebook Advertisement , Shereena Farrington

The Roles of Emotional Cues and Purchasing Incentives in WeChat Commerce: A Content Analysis , Xuezhu Hao

People with Parkinson’s and Care Partners of PwPs’ Uncertainty Management Through Information Strategies , Amy Haywood

Asian Male Stereotypes: An Investigation of Current Beliefs About Asian Males and Stereotypes Perpetuated by U.S. Modern Cinema , Noelle Knopp

Developing Design Elements for a Parkinson’s Disease Informative Website: A Social Marketing Approach , Emilie R. Madsen

Evaluation of Native Advertisement though Third Person Effect Theory: An Experimental Design , Inga Nafetvaridze

EPPM and Its Effectiveness in Advertisements of Colorectal Cancer Screening among Young Adults , Anh T. Nguyen

The Role of Threat and Efficacy in Anti-Vaping Ads: A Test of the Extended Parallel Process Model , Ryan Noone

An Experimental Investigation into the Impact of Crisis Response Strategies and Relationship Management in the Pharmaceutical Industry , Nikoletta Pappas

Media Fandom: Social Media Use and Collective Identity in China: A Case Study of Z.Tao’s Weibo Fandom , Mier Sha

'Golden Spike': Examining Atlanta United FC Communications During the Launch of the Team , Maria Tsyruleva

The Role of Influencer Endorsement in Consumer Brand Engagement on Sina Weibo , Xiaofan Wei

One News Event, Three Media Frames , Le Xin

Applying the Situational Theory of Publics to Children's Sex Education in China , Baoyi Zeng

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

The Role of Social Media Journalists in TV News:Their Effects on the Profession and Identity of TV Journalism, the Quality of News, and theAudience Engagement , Yousuf Humiad AL Yousufi

Relationship Management Communications by NHL Teams on Twitter , Kelsey M. Baker

2018 China-United States Trade War: Framing Analysis of Online News Coverage in the United States and China as portrayed by the New York Times and the People’s Daily , Jiangling Huang

The Research on the Determinants of Users' Willingness to Pay for Chinese Paid Sports Model Based on Use and Gratification Theory , Jing Li

Online MMORPG Games in China: Player Motivations and the Mediating Role of Flow , Jiaxin Liu

The Hostile Media Effect and Its Potential Consequences: Examining the Influence of Presumed Influence of International Media Coverage , Zhennan Liu

Womenpreneurs in a Digital Environment: Utilizing Instagram to Build a Personal Brand , Michelle N. Nuñez

Objectification of Women in Bollywood Item Numbers , Zahabia Z. Slatewala

A Research on eSports Users’ Motives and Satisfaction in China The Case of League of Legends , Qianyin Sun

An Analysis of the Language and the Relationship of the President of the USA Related Twitter Accounts toward the National Media , Sait Serif Turhan

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Perception of Kazakhstan in the U.S through the New York Times Coverage , Tursynay Alikhanova

The Influence of Instagram Selfies on Female Millennials’ Appearance Satisfaction , Diliara Bagautdinova

Women’s Body Image in the Media: Fitspiration on Instagram , Brook M. Bryant

Political Talk Shows in Taiwan: First- and Third-Person Effects, Their Attitudinal Antecedents and Consequences , Shou-Chen Hsieh

An Examination of Image Repair Theory and BP’s Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill , William Anthony Korte Jr.

An Analysis of Organ Donation Presentations on Weibo , Shengfei Li

Gender Sexualization in Digital Games: Exploring Female Character Changes in Tomb Raider , Jingjing Liu

Shithole Countries: An Analysis of News Coverage in the U.S. , Murewa O. Olubela

Self-esteem, motivation, and self-enhancement presentation on WeChat , Xiao Qiu

The Portrayal of Women in the Oldest Russian Women’s Magazine “Rabotnitsa” From 1970-2017 , Anastasiia Utiuzh

Cultural Adaptation and Maintenance: Chinese International Students' Use of Facebook and WeChat , Mengni Wang

The Understanding of Absolute Right to Freedom of Expression in the Case of Hate Speech , Qinqin Wang

Body Image, Self-Esteem and Eating Disturbance among Chinese Women: Testing the Tripartite Influence model , Weiwei Wang

I’m Your Fan – Engaging in Celebrity’s Social Media Page with the Mediation of Parasocial Interaction and Parasocial Relationship , Jiahui Zhuang

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Household Food Waste Prevention in Malaysia: An Issue Processes Model Perspective , Syahirah Abd Razak

Countering the Questionable Actions of the CPD and FEC , Brian C. Cole

“You Know Who I Am, Don’t You? I’m the One They’re Writing About in the Newspapers and on TV” , Casey Killen Crane

To Tell the Truth: The Credibility of Cable News Networks In an Era of Increasingly Partisan Political News Coverage , Christopher Jadick

Political Media Bias in the United States: Immigration and the Trump Administration , Bryce Josepher

Social Media Use and Political Participation in China: The Mediating Role of Political Efficacy , Bingyang Liu

Framing Genetically-modified Foods Communication in China: A Content Analysis of News Coverage of People’s Daily and Southern Metropolis , Linqi Lu

Conceptualizing Social Wealth in the Digital Age: A Mixed Methods Approach , Kristina Oliva

The Road to the White House: A Correlational Analysis of Twitter Sentiment and National Polls in the 2016 Election Cycle , Melissa G. Pelletier

Using Green Messages to Cue Recycling Tendencies , Danielle Quichocho

Traversing Privacy Issues on Social Networking Sites Among Kuwaiti Females , Shahad Shihab

Chinese National Identity and Media Framing , Yufeng Tian

Smog Pollution in China: News Framing and Issue-Attention Cycle per the , Yingying Zhang

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Corporate Social Responsibility Communication: Beliefs in Motives, First- and Third-Person Effects and Behavioral Consequences , Nianyuan Cheng

Crimean Referendum: Annexation VS Reunification. Framing Analysis of Online News Coverage in Russia and the U.S. , Anna Dedova

Investigating the Determinants of Recycling Behavior in Youth by Using Theory of Planned Behavior. , Tejaswini Gadiraju

Media Perceptions on Sexual Assault on College Campuses , Maggie M. Hall

The Impact of Emojis and Emoticons on Online Consumer Reviews, Perceived Company Response Quality, Brand Relationship, and Purchase Intent. , Jayme Hill Hill

Media Multitasking and Memory: The Role of Message Modalities , Le Nguyen

Cultivating Philanthropy in Community Colleges: A Dual-Model Approach , Rachel Faith Pleasant

Avatar Self-Identification, Self-Esteem, and Perceived Social Capital in the Real World: A Study of World of Warcraft Players and their Avatars , Melissa Watts

The Effects of Mission Statement Design on Behavioral Intention , Jonathan David West

Impact of a Brand Crisis on Nation Branding: An Analysis of Tweets about VW’s Emissions Crisis , Kara Julie Whytas

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Responding to a Rumor: How Crisis Response Strategies Influence Relationship Outcomes , Bo Breuklander

Crisis Communication and Celebrity Scandal: An Experiment on Response Strategies , Leah Champion

Speaking Their Language: Textisms in Today's Communication , Adam Lloyd Drum

Direct-to-Consumer Messaging: A Phenomenological Examination of DTC Best Practices , Nicholas Dominick Fancera

Examining Endorsement and Viewership Effects on the Source Credibility of YouTubers , Stephanie Fred

The Cultivation of Eating Disorders through Instagram , Kendall O'Brien

Online Game Advertising and Chinese College Students: Attitudes, First- and Third-Person Effects , Yan Tang

On the Convergence of Cinema and Theme Parks: Developing a Predictable Model for Creative Design , Ryan Luke Terry

I Threw My Pie for You: Engagement and Loyalty on TV Show Facebook Pages , Tracy M. Wisneski

First- and Third-Person Effects of Alcohol Advertising on Chinese College Students , Dong Xue

Framing Occupy Central: A Content Analysis of Hong Kong, American and British Newspaper Coverage , Mengjiao Yu

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Climate Change, Situational Theory of Problem Solving, and Issue Framing Effects , Michael Eddie Burch

British Cultural Narrative in Winston Churchill's Political Communication , Andres L. Faza

Communication Behavior Study of Support in the Arts Using the Situational Theory of Publics and the Theory of Reasoned Action , Ashleigh Gallant

A Comparison Study on Violent Video Games: Explained by the Gamers Themselves , Christopher John Kneifer

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Home > USC Columbia > College of Information and Communications > Journalism & Mass Communications > Journalism & Mass Communications Theses and Dissertations

Journalism & Mass Communications Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

The Impact of Follower-Influencer Relationship Stages on Consumers’ Perceptions and Behavioral Intentions in the Context of Influencer Marketing , Khalid Obaid Alharbi

The Effect of Social Media (Instagram) Use Patterns on The Cultural and Athletic Identity of Black Female Collegiate Athletes’ Body Image Dissatisfaction , Shelbretta Kar’Anna Ball

Contextualizing Search: An Analysis of the Impacts of Construal Level Theory, Mood, and Product Type on Search Engine Activity , Jackson Everitt Carter

Words Evaporate, the Images Remain: Testing Visual Warnings in the Context of Intentions to Vape Among U.S. Adults as an Expansion of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) , Carl Arland Ciccarelli

Risk Propensity in Journalists: An Analysis of Journalists’ Personality Traits and How They Direct Behavior in the Field , Ellen Katherine Dunn

Online Information-Seeking and Cancer Screening Intention: An Analysis of the Health Information National Trends Survey 2022 , Rachel Aileen Ford

Always on Display: South Carolina Civil Rights Lawyer Matthew J. Perry Jr. Expanding the Civil Sphere Through the Courts and the News Media, 1954-1963 , Christopher G. Frear

Exploring the Agenda-Setting Dynamics Between Traditional Newspapers and Twitter During Mass Shooting Event , Yujin Heo

Extreme Persuasion: Analyzing Meaning Creation and Persuasive Strategies Within Extreme Discourse on Alternative Social Media , Naomi Kathryn Lawrence

Framing Police Brutality: An Analysis of Newspaper Coverage of Walter Scott’s Murder , Shamira S. McCray

Understanding Podcast Advertising Processing and Outcomes: An Analysis of Podcast Ad Types, Message Types, and Media Context on Consumer Responses , Colin Piacentine

The Unsung Heroes for Intercollegiate Athletics: Examining the Dialogic Principles of Communication in Community College Athletic Departments , Matthew Alan Stilwell

Exploring Trustworthiness Issues About Disaster-related Information Generated by Artificial Intelligence , Xin Tao

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

The Effect of Emotional Intensity, Arousal, and Valence On Online Video Ad Sharing , Chang Won Choi

“Power, Poison, Pain & Joy”: Applying a Critical Race Conceptual Model of Implicit Racial Bias to Narratives Framing Blackness in Black Sports Columns, Black Music, and Black Journalism , Christina Lauren Myers

Gatekeeping Blackness: Roles, Relationships, and Pressures of Black Television Journalists at a Time of Racial Reckoning , Denetra Walker

The Binge Viewing Index: Creating and Testing a New Measure , Larry J. Webster Jr.

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Portion of Profit Donations: CSR as Public Relations Strategy and its Relationships with Trust and Purchase Intentions , Branden Dylan Cameron Birmingham

The Role of Sexting in the Development of Romantic Relationships , Max Bretscher

Let’s Be Friends: Examining Consumer Brand Relationships Through the Lens Of Brand Personality, Engagement, and Reciprocal Altruism , Daniel D. Haun

Go with The Flow: Testing the Effects of Emotional Flow on Psychophysiological, Attitudinal, and Behavioral Changes , Chris R. Noland

Brand New: How Visual Context Shapes Initial Response To Logos and Corporate Visual Identity Systems , Robert A. Wertz

Inoculating the Public Against Misinformation: Testing The Effectiveness of “Pre-bunking” Techniques in the Context of Mental Illness and Violence , Nanlan Zhang

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Gun Violence and Advocacy Communication , Minhee Choi

The Role of Third-person Perceptions in Predicting the Public’s Support for Electronic Cigarette Advertising Regulations , Joon Kyoung Kim

Conservative Media’s Coverage of Coronavirus on YouTube: A Qualitative Analysis of Media Effects on Consumers , Michael J. Layer

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Problem Chain Recognition Effect and CSR Communication: Examining the Impact of Issue Salience and Proximity on Environmental Communication Behaviors , Nandini Bhalla

The Games Behind the Scenes: Newspaper Framing of Female African American Olympic Athletes , Martin Reece Funderburk

Effectiveness of a Brand’s Paid, Owned, and Earned Media in a Social Media Environment , Anan Wan

Providing Prevention Education About Child Sexual Abuse to Parents: Testing Media Effects on Knowledge, Behavioral Intentions and Outcomes , Jane Long Weatherred

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Creating an Online Social Movement in Socially Conservative Societies: A Case Study of Manshoor Blog Using Frame Alignment Process , Noura Abdullah Al-Duaijani

How S. C. Daily Newspapers Framed the Removal of the Confederate Flag from the State House Grounds in 2015 Through Letters to the Editor and Editorials , Thomas Craig Anderson

Breaking The Silence: Extending Theory To Address The Underutilization Of Mental Health Services Among Chinese Immigrants In The United States , Jo-Yun Queenie Li

Fandom In Politics: Scale Development And Validation , Won-Ki Moon

Fatal Force: A Conversation With Journalists Who Cover Deadly, Highly-Publicized Police Shootings , Denetra Walker

Domestic Extension Of Public Diplomacy: Media Competition For Credibility, Dependency And Activation Of Publics , Yicheng Zhu

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Hydraulic Fracturing In the United States: A Framing Analysis , Kenneth Stephen Cardell Jr.

Network vs. Netflix: A Comparative Content Analysis of Demographics Across Prime-Time Television and Netflix Original Programming , James Corfield

Framing Marijuana: A Study of How us Newspapers Frame Marijuana Legalization Stories and Framing Effects of Marijuana Stories , Hwalbin Kim

The Allure of Isis: Examining the Underlying Mechanisms that Helped the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria , Alexander Luchsinger

International Twitter Comments About 2016 U.S. Presidential Candidates Trump And Clinton: Agenda-Building Analysis In The U.S., U.K., Brazil, Russia, India and China , Jane O’Boyle

Is That Online Review Fake News? How Sponsorship Disclosure Influences Reader Credibility , Mark W. Tatge

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Measuring Strategic Communications , Jeffrey A. Ranta

Public Perceptions Of Genetically Modified Food On Social Media: A Content Analysis Of Youtube Comments On Videos , Nanlan Zhang

Toward A Situational Technology Acceptance Model: Combining the Situational Theory of Problem Solving and Technology Acceptance Model to Promote Mobile Donations for Nonprofit Organizations , Yue Zheng

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Promoting HPV Vaccination for Male Young Adults: Effects of Social Influence , Wan Chi Leung

Redneckaissance: Honey Boo Boo, Tumblr, and the Stereotype of Poor White Trash , Ashley F. Miller

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Conflicted Union: Culture, Economics and European Union Media Policy , Daphney Pernola Barr

Beating Down the Fear: The Civil Sphere and Political Change in South Carolina, 1940-1962 , Sid Bedingfield

The State v. Perry: Comparative Newspaper Coverage of South Carolina's Most Prominent Civil Rights Lawyer , Christopher G. Frear

(MASCOT) NATION: EXAMINING UNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT ON COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS’ FACEBOOK PAGES , Matthew J. Haught

Innovation Among Georgian Journalism Educators: A Network Analysis Perspective , Ana Keshelashvili

Emotional Bond between the Creator and the Avatar: Changes in Behavioral Intentions to Engage in Alcohol-Related Traffic Risk Behaviors , Hokyung Kim

Handcuffing Speech: Federal Fraud Statutes and the Criminalization of Advertising , Carmen Maye

Social Movements, Media, and Democratization in Georgia , Maia Mikashavidze

Am I in Danger? : Predictors and Behavioral Outcomes of Public Perception of Risk Associated with Food Hazards , Sang-Hwa Oh

Parental Mediation of Adolescent Movie Viewing , Larry James Webster Jr.

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Political Advertising In Kuwait - A Functional Discourse Analysis , Jasem Alqaseer

The Westernization of Advertisements Published In Kuwaiti Newspapers From 1992 to 2012; A Content Analysis , Farah Taleb Alrefai

What Can Reader Comments to News Online Contribute to Engagement and Interactivity? A Quantitative Approach , Brett A. Borton

Exploring a paradigm shift: The New York Times' framing of sub-Saharan Africa in stories of conflict, war and development during the Cold War and post-Cold War eras, 1945-2009 , Zadok Opero Ekimwere

Mental Health On Youtube: Exploring the Potential of Interactive Media to Change Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors About Mental Health , Caroline Belser Foster

That's News to Me: An Exploratory Study of the Uses and Gratifications of Current Events On Social Media of 18-24 Year-Olds , John Vincent Karlis

Making Stewardship Meaningful For Nonprofits: Stakeholder Motivations, Attitudes, Loyalty and Behaviors , Geah N. Pressgrove

An Alternative Path: The Intellectual Legacy of James W. Carey , Matthew Ross

The Corporation in the Marketplace of Ideas: The Law and Economics of Corporate Political Speech , Matthew W. Telleen

Child Sexual Abuse In the Media: Is Institutional Failure to Blame? , Jane Long Weatherred

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

The Relationship Between Facebook Use and Religiosity Among Emerging Adults , Heidi D. Campbell

Attribute Agenda Setting, Attribtue Priming, and The Public's Evaluation of Genetically Modified (GM) Food in South Korea , Soo Yun Kim

What's Mine is Yours: An Exploratory Study of Attitudes and Conceptions About Online Personal Privacy In the Socialist Republic of Vietnam , Patrick Sharbaugh

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

How Journalists Perceive Internal and External Influence: A Qualitative Assessment of Local Television Reporters' Ethical Decision-Making , Beth Eckard Concepcion

Collective Memory of the War In Iraq: An Analysis of Letters to the Editor and Public Opinion Polls, 2003-2008 , Lisa Cash Luedeman

A Framing Analysis and Model of Barack Obama in Political Cartoons , Anthony Palmer

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Breaking Down the Fear' -- John H. Mccray, Accommodationism and theFraming of the Civil Rights Struggle in South Carolina, 1940-1948 , Sid Bedingfield

Do You See What I See?: A Comparative Content Analysis of Iraq War Photographs As Published In the New York Times and the Tehran Times , Garen Cansler

Exploring Intention to Adopt Mobile Tv Services In the U.S.: Toward A New Model With Cognitive-Based and Emotional-Based Constructs , Seoyoon Choi

Media Representations and Implications For Collective Memory: A Grounded Theory Analysis of TV News Broadcasts of Hillary Clinton From 1993-2008 , Mary Elizabeth McLaughlin

Resonance and Elaboration: the Framing Effect of Chinese Product Safety Issue Coverage , Ji Pan

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Ph.D. in Mass Communications

Our doctoral program in mass communication, jointly administered with the Department of Life Sciences Communication, is internationally recognized for our faculty and areas of research. Applicants to the Joint Ph.D. in Mass Communications may apply to one or both departments, depending on your areas of research interest. Options are:

• Mass Communications: Journalism & Mass Comm (code G630L)
• Mass Communications: Life Sciences Comm (code G630A)

The Ph.D. degree in Mass Communications provides future academics and professionals with rigorous training in theory and research with highly individualized programs that students develop in consultation with their advisors. Our Ph.D. graduates become some of the most successful researchers and leaders in the field of mass communication.   We require our students to engage in a systematic search for answers to well-formulated and substantive questions. The research process culminates in the discovery and reporting of new knowledge to others.

A doctoral dissertation in Mass Communications demonstrates a student’s ability to examine in detail an important issue in the field, using original research. Faculty members expect the dissertation to be clearly presented while conveying the student’s close familiarity with his or her research area.

The program offers several internationally recognized areas of research and teaching excellence: 

• civic and political communication
• health and environmental communications
• history of media institutions
• information technologies
• social networking and digital media
• processes and effects of mediated communication
• law and ethics of media
• international and inter-cultural communication
• public opinion
• science and risk communication
• social marketing
• journalism studies
• media ecologies
• race and media

Working closely with their advisor and committee, students draw from courses offered in departments across campus to develop a plan of study in preparation for independent and original research in their area of specialization.

Visit the Ph.D. in Mass Communications website for more information.

Visit  Ph.D. in Mass Communications  for more information.

Ph.D. Handbook (PDF)

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The PhD program is designed to prepare independent scholars for academic careers in teaching and research in mass communication and related fields. You will build a solid foundation in the discipline through multifaceted exploration of the theories and methods that influence the shape and scope of mass communication research. You are strongly encouraged to develop your own theoretical and methodological approach to mass communication research and to interact and collaborate with our multidisciplinary faculty on cutting-edge research in mass communication in the global and multicultural context.

Application Deadline

Fall 2024 Admissions Update : Applications for Fall 2024 Admissions are no longer being accepted for the  Mass Communication M.A. and Ph.D. graduate programs .   The program will begin to accept applications for Fall 2025 admissions in September 2024 and this page will reflect our program requirements for Fall 2025 admissions.   Fall 2025 Admissions Deadline: Our program admissions deadline for the Mass Communication M.A. and Ph.D. graduate programs will be December 15, 2024. If you have additional questions about the application process, please email [email protected] .

Program Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the PhD program, you must have completed, or be in the process of completing, a master's degree or equivalent advanced degree. 

Once you're admitted to the PhD program, you will work closely with a faculty advisor to select your dissertation field and supporting coursework. Common areas of research include:

• Advertising
• Communication law and regulation
• Health communication
• History of mass communication
• International mass communication
• Journalism studies
• Mass media structures, processes, and effects
• Political communication
• Public relations  

You do not know how strong you are until you are inspired to bring that hidden strength forward. That is the greatest strength of our graduate program: It guides you in surfacing your own individual greatest strengths—as a scholar, as a teacher, as a student and as a person. Our faculty, graduate students and staff members inspire you when you are at your most dire, lift you when you drift away and genuinely, deeply and faithfully value you every day.

Your Career Path

The typical career path for our PhD students is to take a tenure-track academic position at a university. Our PhD graduates have been placed at top-ranked universities in the U.S. and other countries, and have pursued careers at high-profile non-profit organizations, major advertising, public relations and media organizations, research firms, large corporations, and as consultants.  

Degree Requirements

All PhD students must complete a minimum of 46 graduate credits, 24 thesis credits, and a dissertation. All course work must be taken on an A-F grading basis.

The following requirements must be fulfilled to complete the Ph.D. program in mass communication:

1. Required Mass Communication Core (7 credits)

• JOUR 8001: Studies and Theories of Mass Communication (3 cr)
• One more theory course inside the HSJMC(e.g., JOUR 8514) (3 cr)
• JOUR 8009: Pro-seminar in Mass Communication (1 cr)

2. Required Methodology Core (9 credits)

• JOUR 8501: Research Methods in Mass Commucation (3 cr)
• One additional method course inside of the HSJMC (3 cr)
• One additional method course inside or outside of the HSJMC (3 cr)

3. Additional academic requirements:

• 30 additional credits of coursework. 
• 18 of the additional credits must come from HSJMC courses
• 12 of the additional credits must come from courses outside of HSJMC. This can be achieved by any combination of theory, method and topic seminar courses taken outside the HSJMC. Students are encouraged to explore freestanding graduate minors or graduate minors related to another major.

4. Doctoral thesis credits (24 credits) 5. Preliminary written examination 6. Preliminary oral examination 7. Approved dissertation 8. Final oral examination

View curriculum & courses  

Written Examination and Oral Examination

Preliminary written PhD examinations are scheduled to test mastery of the student's chosen area of study after coursework in the degree program has been completed. Written examinations cover the examinee's dissertation and supporting areas of study, including methodologies and mass communication research coursework.

Comprehensive and aimed at the highest levels of scholarship, the exams are designed to assess abilities in abstract and concrete thought, including an ability to:

• Conceptualize problems
• Create and critique research designs
• Assimilate, associate, and synthesize areas of knowledge
• Evaluate literature, research, theories, models, and methodologies
• Discern, discuss, and explain substantive issues, problems, trends, alternative perspectives, and research approaches in both general and specific areas of the field

An examination may include all or any combination of the above. Students should plan ahead and budget preparation time for the examinations. Generally, most students allow at least one semester for review, reading, thought and reflection in preparation for the examination.

Once a student passes the written preliminary examination, they proceed to the oral defense examination where they are questioned by their committee members. Once a student successfully defends both the written and oral portions of the preliminary exam, they are considered to have reached ABD – All But Dissertation – status.  

PhD Dissertation Process 

PhD students are eligible to defend their dissertation after they have passed their preliminary written and oral exams, as well having received approval of their dissertation proposal and dissertation from their committee members. PhD candidates work closely with their faculty advisors during the stages of writing their dissertation. Instructions for preparation of the dissertation (e.g.) margins are available from the Graduate School. 

A dissertation and final oral examination is required of all PhD candidates. 

Transferring Credits

With the approval of their advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), students may bring a limited number of credits with them from other graduate programs.

Learn more about transferring credits . 

Want to Learn More?

The Hubbard School Graduate Program is one of the best in the nation. 

School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Doctor of philosophy in mass communication.

The Doctor of Philosophy program in Mass Communication requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. The program provides training in research methods, communication theory, and teaching skills. Students in this program prepare for careers as professors, teachers and industry researchers.

The program emphasizes interdisciplinary studies, with coursework and research tailored to each student’s interests under the guidance of faculty members. The school offers several areas of strength to support graduate student research:

• critical and cultural studies 
• sports media
• global media
• health communication
• journalism studies
• digital media

Students who enter the Ph.D. program with a completed relevant master’s degree at the time of enrollment can transfer up to 30 hours of graduate credit from academic courses, including up to 3 credit hours for the thesis. Students who will have not completed a relevant master’s degree by the time of enrollment should apply for our M.A. program. M.A. students who complete their degree requirements and successfully pass the qualifying exam will be considered for admission to the Ph.D. program.

For more information, refer to the Graduate Student Handbook or Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about SJMC graduate programs. In addition, listed below are the general categories of coursework required to earn the degree; for more specific information on courses, curriculum, and requirements of the Doctor of Philosophy in mass communication, visit the UI General Catalog . Don’t find an answer to your question? Email it to us at [email protected].

Important Deadlines

Application Deadline : January 1st (for Fall admission)

Admission decisions are based on prior academic performance, letters of reference, and the applicant's statement about background and purpose. Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the  Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College  on the Graduate College website. For more information, see the  Graduate Admissions Process  page.

Comprehensive Examination

At the completion of coursework (typically in the fourth or fifth semester), each doctoral student will enroll in Guided Reading for Comprehensive Exam (JMC:6920). For this course, students will work with three committee members to create three reading lists on topics that (a) relate to the student’s dissertation area and (b) relate to the respective committee member’s expertise. For each reading list, students will spend 4 weeks reading and writing a response paper based on a prompt provided by the committee member. The advisor will not be responsible for any individual reading list but will oversee the entire process. During either the last week of the semester or finals week, the student will have an oral defense of their three written responses. The response papers and oral defense will serve as the Comprehensive Examination.

Dissertation

Students who are enrolled in the Ph.D. program are required to complete a scholarly dissertation. The dissertation committee is composed of at least four faculty members. At least three must be members of the University of Iowa tenure-track faculty, at least two must be members of SJMC (which may include faculty with 0% appointments), and at least one must come from outside the department. By special request, the program may request permission from the Graduate College to replace one committee member with a recognized scholar of professorial rank from another academic institution. Changes to committee membership are often necessary, and can be made at various stages in a student’s program, but should always be done in close consultation with their advisor and/or the Director of Graduate Studies.

NOTE :  Any research which involves "human subjects" must be reviewed by the University of Iowa  Institutional Review Board (IRB)  prior to the initiation of the project.  Proof of the determination/review process must also be submitted to the International Studies Program before the international experience proposal can be approved. For all questions contact the IRB at (319) 335-6465; or complete the  IRB Determination Form  to find out if your research meets the definition of human subjects research.

PhD in Mass Communication (General Catalog)

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COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

Department of Communication

Ph.d. program of study.

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The general aim of the Ph.D. program in Communication is to provide students with a rigorous course of study that will prepare them for careers in either the academic or commercial spheres. The curriculum is not directed toward either of these domains, but rather attempts to give students a breadth of scholarly training that will allow them to pursue either of these career paths.

Academic Sphere.  There is a very strong academic research component to communication. Persons with interests in communication are currently found on Communication faculties and in schools of Journalism and Mass Communication. Communication is an established academic area, as reflected in published research by faculty members in departments of Communication.

Commercial Sphere.  Many organizations realize the value of research in mass communication effects, advertising, audience analysis, and other areas of communication. They have created a significant number of positions in communication. At the middle and upper management level, these are often filled by people with Ph.D. degrees. Training for persons filling these positions is often obtained in programs which do not equally emphasize communication theory and methods. The Ph.D. program in Communication is designed to provide the student with strong knowledge of communication theory, coupled with very strong research skills. A graduate of this program can step into a commercial research position without facing a period of hit-or-miss "on-the-job" training.

Ph.D. Program Elements

Length of Program

The time required for completion for the Ph.D. program will differ, depending on the degree status of entering students, and the courses already completed by the student at the graduate or undergraduate level. It is expected that students entering with a master’s degree will require approximately four years to complete the requisite course work, pass qualifying exams, and then write and defend the dissertation. (Note that students who earn an M.A. degree from our own program will require approximately three years, having already taken some of the required coursework.) The final program of course work and research for a student is created in consultation with his/her academic advisory committee. This program takes into account the student’s prior coursework and career objectives.

Research Requirement

Students participate in at least two research projects mentored by faculty before beginning their dissertation. These projects provide students with the necessary research experience before beginning the independent research required by the dissertation. They also put students in a better position to enter the Ph.D. job market.

Elective Courses (9 credits)

The student, in consultation with the academic advisory committee, will take an additional 9 credits in an area chosen to provide breadth or specialized skills. Typical areas might be social/behavioral research, computer science, or specialized business or communication areas.

Qualifying Exams

After coursework is completed, students take a general exam. When they pass, they are considered “Ph.D. Candidates” or "A.B.D." (all but dissertation).

Dissertation

An original research project designed by the student, approved by the advising committee.

Ph.D. Program Coursework Overview

Required for all tracks.

4 Required Methodology Courses:

COMM 5001 Introduction to Graduate Communication Research COMM 5002 Communication Research Methods COMM 5003 Advanced Communication Research Methods COMM 5010 Theory Construction and Research Design

2 Elective Methodology Courses (choose two of the following, or similar with approval of committee) -- one must be an advanced course (as indicated by *):

AH 6005 Multilevel Mediation and Moderation Modeling* COMM 6001 Proseminar in Communication Research* EPSY 6615 Structural Equation Modeling* HDFS 5002 Special Topics: Longitudinal Methods* HDFS 5005 Qualitative Research Methods MKTG 6203 Quantitative Models in Marketing NURS 6130 Intro to Qualitative Methods in Nursing NURS 6165 Mixed Methods in Nursing Research PSYC 5702 Field Research Methods PSYC 5130 Causal Modeling in Social Psychology* PSYC 5131 Meta-Analysis: Theory and Practice PSYC 6130 Measurement and Scaling SOCI 5231 Qualitative Methodology STAT 5515 Design of Experiments

1 Directed Research Requirement:

COMM 6800 Seminar and Directed Research in Communication

3 Required Communication Theory Courses (determined by track—see options below)

5 Emphasis Area Courses (1 must be COMM; determined by track—see options below)

Substitutions to required courses may be possible for students who have already completed the required course(s) elsewhere with a grade of B or higher. In such cases, students may substitute a different course within the requirement area (e.g., methods, content, theory, etc.) with approval of the advising committee.

Note on Emphasis Area Courses : Students may add a secondary sub-track as their emphasis area by taking any of the required courses for the secondary track to complete the requirements for the emphasis area.

Ph.D. Program Tracks

Interpersonal Communication Track

Required Communication Theory Course Options (choose at least 3):

COMM 5200 Interpersonal Communication (required) COMM 5100 Persuasion Theory and Research COMM 5220 Group Communication Research COMM 5500 Nonverbal Communication

Emphasis Area Course Recommendations (choose 5 from theory course options above, course list below, or similar with approval of committee—1 must be COMM):

COMM 5230 Organizational Communication: Theory and Research COMM 5501 Seminar in Nonverbal Communication and Persuasion HDFS 5240 Aging: Personality and Social Interaction HDFS 5250 Close Relationships HDFS 5310 Patterns and Dynamics of Family Interaction HDFS 5311 Theories of Family Development PSYC 5101 Motivation PSYC 5460 Social and Personality Development PSYC 5500 Research Seminar in Language and Psychology PSYC 5568 Psychology of Language PSYC 5703 Advanced Social Psychology PSYC 5770 Current Topics in Social Psychology PSYC 5612 Leadership in the Workplace PSYC 6731 Person Perception PSYC 6752 Interpersonal Relations SOCI 5651 Seminar in the Family

Marketing Communication Track

COMM 5100 Persuasion Theory and Research COMM 5200 Interpersonal Communication COMM 5300 Mass Communication Theory COMM 5310 Seminar in Mass Communication Research COMM 6850 Seminar in Marketing Communication (required) MKTG 5115 Market-Driven Management MKTG 6202 Advanced Seminar in Buyer Behavior

COMM 5120 Communication Campaigns COMM 5501 Seminar in Nonverbal Communication and Persuasion COMM 6895 Topics in Applied Communication Research MKTG 5250 Marketing Research and Information Systems MKTG 5640 Integrated Marketing Communications MKTG 5625 Marketing for Global Competitiveness MKTG 6210 Seminar in Theory and Practice in Marketing

Mass Communication Track

COMM 5300 Mass Communication Theory (required) COMM 5100 Persuasion Theory and Research COMM 5120 Communication Campaigns COMM 5150 Crisis and Risk Communication COMM 5310 Seminar in Mass Communication Research COMM 6895 Topics in Applied Communication Research

ANTH 5352 Medical Anthropology COMM 5200 Interpersonal Communication COMM 5230 Organizational Communication: Theory and Research COMM 5330 Children and Mass Media GPAH 5319 Allied Health Education POLS 5341 Public Opinion and American Democracy POLS 5342 American Political Parties POLS 5336 Comparative Political Communication POLS 5386 Public Opinion and Public Policy PSYC 5120 Health Psychology PSYC 6733 Social Cognition PSYC 5616 Human Judgment and Decision Process PUBH 5400 Intro to Public Health PUBH 5401 Principles of Epidemiology PUBH 5404 Environmental Health PUBH 5405 Social Foundations of Public Health PUBH 5419 Public Health Agencies PUBH 5430 Public Health Informatics PUBH 5451 Maternal and Child Health Services PUBH 5452 Injury and Violence Prevention PUBH 5453 Chronic Disease Control PUBH 5455 Health Education PUBH 5462 International Health PUBH 5473 Women, Public Health and Reproduction PUBH 5474 Minority Health PUBH 5475 Gerontological Health SOCI 5453 Medical Sociology SOCI 5801 Political Sociology SOCI 5821 Social Movements SOCI 5829 Social Change

New Communication Technology Track

COMM 5660 Computer-Mediated Communication (required) COMM 5100 Persuasion Theory and Research COMM 5300 Mass Communication Theory COMM 5640 Social Media Use and Effects COMM 5650 Communication Technology and Society: Theory and Research

COMM 5200 Interpersonal Communication COMM 5220 Group Communication Research COMM 5230 Organizational Communication: Theory and Research COMM 5500 Nonverbal Communication COMM 5501 Seminar in Nonverbal Communication and Persuasion EPSY 5220 Introduction to Educational Technology EPSY 5520 Instructional Design EPSY 5530 Learning Theory MKTG 5250 Marketing Research & Information System MGMT5260 Management of Technology and Innovation MKTG 5640 Integrated Marketing Communication MKTG 5665 Digital Marketing OPIM 5165 Management Information Systems OPIM 5270 Systems Development OPIM 5620 Managing and Controlling Information Systems PSYC 5615 Human Factors PSYC 5101 Motivation PSYC 5620 Design and Analysis of Human-Machine Systems PSYC 5703 Advanced Social Psychology PSYC 6731 Person Perception PSYC 6752 Interpersonal Relations

Nonverbal Communication Track

COMM 5500 Nonverbal Communication (required) COMM 5100 Persuasion Theory and Research COMM 5200 Interpersonal Communication COMM 5300 Mass Communication Theory COMM 5501 Seminar in Nonverbal Communication and Persuasion

COMM 5220 Group Communication Research COMM 5230 Organizational Communication: Theory and Research COMM 5310 Seminar in Mass Communication COMM 6850 Seminar in Marketing Communication Research MKTG 410 Seminar in Theory and Practice in Marketing MKTG 402 Advanced Seminar in Buyer Behavior PSYC 5101 Motivation PSYC 5701 Experimental Social Psychology PSYC 5703 Advanced Social Psychology PSYC 5770 Current Topics in Social Psychology PSYC 6732 Attitude Organization and Change PSYC 6752 Interpersonal Relations

Persuasion Track

COMM 5100 Persuasion Theory and Research (required) COMM 5120 Communication Campaigns COMM 5200 Interpersonal Communication COMM 5300 Mass Communication Theory COMM 5310 Seminar in Mass Communication Research COMM 5501 Seminar in Nonverbal Communication and Persuasion

COMM 5230 Organizational Communication: Theory and Research COMM 5500 Nonverbal Communication PHIL 5316 Seminar in the Philosophy of Social Science PHIL 5317 Seminar in the Philosophy of Psychology PSYC 5567 Memory and Cognition PSYC 5613 Organizational Psychology PSYC 5703 Advanced Social Psychology PSYC 6732 Attitude Organization and Change

Ph.D. Program Optional Specialty Areas

Additional recommendations for Emphasis Area Courses for students choosing to specialize in the following areas (can be applied to any track emphasis area requirements):

Health Communication

ANTH 5352 Medical Anthropology COMM 5200 Interpersonal Communication COMM 5230 Organizational Communication: Theory and Research COMM 5770 Health Communication GPAH 5319 Allied Health Education PSYC 5120 Health Psychology PSYC 6733 Social Cognition PSYC 5616 Human Judgment and Decision Process PUBH 5400 Intro to Public Health PUBH 5401 Principles of Epidemiology PUBH 5404 Environmental Health PUBH 5405 Social Foundations of Public Health PUBH 5419 Public Health Agencies PUBH 5430 Public Health Informatics PUBH 5451 Maternal and Child Health Services PUBH 5452 Injury and Violence Prevention PUBH 5453 Chronic Disease Control PUBH 5455 Health Education PUBH 5462 International Health PUBH 5473 Women, Public Health and Reproduction PUBH 5474 Minority Health PUBH 5475 Gerontological Health SOCI 5453 Medical Sociology

Political Communication

POLS 5341 Public Opinion and American Democracy POLS 5342 American Political Parties POLS 5386 Public Opinion and Public Policy POLS 5336 Comparative Political Communication SOCI 5801 Political Sociology SOCI 5821 Social Movements SOCI 5829 Social Change

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Journalism and communication menu, journalism and communication, communication and media studies phd program, doctoral degree in communication and media studies.

Communication and media are among the most powerful forces shaping the world today. In our Communication and Media Studies PhD program, you’ll work with some of the world’s top media and communication experts to research and contribute to this crucial field. Our school is one of the nation’s oldest accredited schools of journalism and communication, housed within an Association of American Universities R1 research institution.

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Doctoral Degree in    Communication and Media Studies

Launch a trailblazing career in media research.

In our doctoral program, you’re more than just a student. You’ll work as a co-author, scholar, and teacher and become part of a welcoming and inclusive community influenced by perspectives from across many disciplines and cultures around the world. You’ll also conduct impactful research that contributes to the field and your research portfolio under the guidance of SOJC faculty advisors.

Our faculty are internationally recognized experts in many mass communication and media research topics, including science, health, and environmental communication; technology and society; game studies; global media; critical/cultural approaches to communication; persuasion and media psychology; media and public life; and more.

Apply   » Degree Requirements   » Sample Schedules   » Courses   » Faculty and Staff  » Visit Us   »

Take flight with a Communication and Media Studies Doctoral Degree

Students in our media studies graduate program develop the knowledge, skill, and research portfolios to claim teaching and research posts at top universities and think tanks around the world. But their analytic and research skills set them apart in any field. 

Meet More PhD Alums

Bryce Macher ’13   is a data scientist for Hilton Innovation Lab. →

Sonia De La Cruz ’14   is a professor and documentary filmmaker. →

Erica Ciszek ’14   studies how communication affects understandings of gender. →

Take flight   with a Communication and Media Studies Doctoral Degree

Students in our media studies graduate program develop the knowledge, skill, and research portfolios to claim teaching and research posts at top universities and think tanks around the world. But their analytic and research skills set them apart in any field. A communication and media studies degree offers a solid foundation that can springboard you into academia or a career in media, government, law, or nonprofit work.

Communication and Media Studies PhD Program News

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Named for renowned journalist Eric W. Allen , who founded the SOJC over 100 years ago, Allen Hall sits at the heart of the verdant University of Oregon campus. During your studies in Eugene, you’ll enjoy expert guidance, hands-on experience with the latest technology, and opportunities for collaboration.

You'll also have access to our state-of-the-art  Experience Hub —part production studio, part research center, part hands-on learning lab—a place where students and faculty collaborate to develop innovative content and examine the media from every angle.

See a Sample PhD Schedule

Study in the Beautiful Pacific Northwest

Fully funded phd.

You bring the intellectual curiosity, we’ll take care of the tuition: Our doctoral candidates are fully funded for four consecutive years*, including health benefits and a stipend. We also offer resources for conducting research that contributes to the field while preparing you for a career in higher education or meaningful work in the public and private sectors.

*Eligibility for continued funding requires maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

Learn More about Funding

Student research

Our doctoral candidates work with internationally renowned SOJC faculty experts to do groundbreaking research on today’s most pressing communication and media realities.

See More Student Work

Meet Our Faculty View All Communication and Media Studies PhD Faculty →

Whitney Phillips     Assistant Professor of Digital Platforms and Ethics

Whitney Phillips uses her research and teaching to help students and consumers of media navigate the potentially treacherous terrain of what she’s coined the “information hellscape.” The modern media landscape is fraught with political biases, implicit messages, and harmful communication, but it is also a powerful tool. So Phillips challenges and inspires her students to incorporate self-care and mindfulness into their media-consumption regimens.

Learn about Whitney’s Research

Seth Lewis     is an expert on the digital transformation of journalism. →

Gabriela Martínez     is a gender studies researcher and award-winning documentary filmmaker. →

Maxwell Foxman     researches how play manifests in nongame contexts. →

Janet Wasko     is an expert in the political economy of media and all things Disney. →

Meet Our Faculty

Whitney Phillips    Assistant Professor of Digital Platforms and Ethics

Seth Lewis    is an expert on the digital transformation of journalism. →

Gabriela Martínez    is a gender studies researcher and award-winning documentary filmmaker. →

Maxwell Foxman    researches how play manifests in nongame contexts. →

Janet Wasko    is an expert in the political economy of media and all things Disney. →

View All Communication and Media Studies PhD Faculty →

Next Steps:

Request more information   Fill out a quick form and our graduate recruiter will be in touch soon!  →

Check out campus   Schedule an in-person tour of Allen Hall or watch our virtual tour video.  →

Start your application   Ready to join us and become a Duck? Get started now.  →

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Mass Communication, Ph.D.

Minimum Total Hours: 90

Program Code: D660

Doctor of Philosophy

The Ph.D. program in the Gaylord College allows students to examine more deeply the theories that underlie mass communication and to critique mass communication practices. The program also allows students to pursue advanced study in the Gaylord College and to prepare for university-level research and teaching across a variety of areas.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The following requirements must be met before a student will be admitted to the doctoral program in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication:

• 3.50 in previous graduate work
• Strong Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores
• Three letters of recommendation
• A one to two-page resume
• A minimum 1,000-word essay detailing reasons for pursuing the Ph.D., to include the intended future application
• A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (213 computer-based)

A minimum of three years of professional experience in a mass communication field is preferred.

Excellent candidates who do not meet admission requirements will be given careful consideration.

Retention and graduation standards reflect OU Graduate College policies.

In addition to taking coursework aimed at fostering research, students must prepare an original research paper for presentation in an annual mini-conference each year until admitted to candidacy.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

The program offers three areas of concentration:

News and Information

Emphasizes performance, critical analysis, effects, representations and the community-building potential of news and information media. Faculty expertise: organizational management; media ethics and normative theory, media law, race and gender, media credibility, and international/intercultural/ethnic media.

Strategic Communication

Emphasizes a broad spectrum of theoretical and practice-oriented research topics and problems in public relations and advertising. Faculty expertise: rhetorical analysis; race and gender, international public relations, law, new media advertising, crisis communication, organizational behavior, and message strategy and tactics.

Emphasizes performance, critical analysis, effects, representations and the community-building potential of entertainment and experimental media including visual digital and video; audio; multimedia, and long-form print media. Faculty expertise: creative, writing, script writing, documentary film, multimedia, video, and digital production.

Areas of Emphasis within Concentrations

Doctoral students will be encouraged to design a flexible, interdisciplinary program targeting an area of emphasis within these concentrations. Some examples are: history; media management and economics; media ethics; visual communication, international communication, and communication theory and methodology. Students will be guided in making these choices through consultation with their committees and by examining topic areas as defined in leading professional organizations such as the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, and the International Communication Association. These choices will allow students to tailor courses to their interests and plan dissertation topics accordingly.

Program Requirements

General Requirements for Doctoral Degrees

A student should expect to spend at least the equivalent of three full academic years beyond the bachelor’s degree to obtain the doctoral degree. During this period the student will take appropriate graduate coursework, successfully complete the general examination, and successfully defend and submit the final dissertation.

All coursework applied to the doctoral degree must carry graduate credit.

The doctoral degree requires at least 90 post-baccalaureate hours, including both formal coursework and hours of research.

The minimum hour requirement for a specific doctoral degree program cannot be waived.

No more than one-half of the credit hours, both OU and overall, excluding Research for Doctoral Dissertation (6980), may be  S/U -graded coursework.

The student must be in residence at OU for at least two consecutive 16-week semesters during the pursuit of the doctoral degree while enrolled and engaged in coursework or research activities as prescribed by the major academic unit.

For more detailed regulations and requirements for Doctoral degrees, please consult the Graduate College Bulletin: http://www.ou.edu/gradcollege/forms/bulletin

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Ph.D in Mass Communication

Mass Communication Ph.D. – a joint program with the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and the School of Media Arts and Studies

We are pioneers in journalism education and research and media studies scholarship. Scripps’ Mass Communication doctoral graduates hold key positions at colleges and universities around the world. We lead scholarly organizations and are professors, chairs and deans at Carnegie R1 institutions. We focus on innovation in our changing media environment.

Our faculty have significant experience in industry and the academy, preparing our doctoral students for research in journalism, mass communication, strategic communication (advertising and public relations), social media, data analytics, critical cultural studies, First Amendment theory and policy, media ethics and history, political communication, and international communication.

Scripps offers a caring community where students collaborate with faculty, each other and scholars across our university community. We provide students with mentorship in their academic areas, in scholarly publishing, in the timely completion of their degrees as well as assistance with job placement.

Our financial aid (tuition waivers and stipends) are highly competitive, and we offer travel grants for students to present their research across the country and the world. Recently, doctoral students have presented their research and completed field work in such countries as Romania, England, China, Germany, Cambodia and India, just to name a few.

We offer the prestigious Scripps Howard Teaching Fellowship to our best candidates who have significant professional experience in the news industry. Doctoral students have the opportunity to teach some of the best undergraduate media, journalism and strategic communication majors in the country.

Our students are driven to conduct research that strengthens democracy, improves health communication in an effort to improve health outcomes, and focuses on media for and about under-represented groups. Join us in the beautiful foothills of Appalachia, in Athens, Ohio, a small town with a world view.

About the Program

Meet current students

Program outcomes

Past graduate students have on gone on to work as faculty at universities and colleges, professionals in the media production industry, researchers and activists at NGOs, and journalists around the world. Learn more about our program alumni.

How to Apply

Please apply through OHIO's  Graduate College portal . The Ph.D. in Mass Communication program has two tracks: choose program code PH5307 for Media Arts and Studies (MDIA), and program code PH5308 for Journalism (JOUR). 

Applications are accepted for fall admission only (the start of the academic year). For each academic year's admissions, the application portal will open on September 30 the year prior.  

We ask for the following materials as part of your application:

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Optional. We encourage the submission of GRE scores, but we will evaluate each applicant in a holistic manner. If you are including your GRE scores, they must be sent by the testing agency to the Graduate College. Please note in your application if you are not submitting scores. 
• International applicants must provide TOEFL or IELTS scores to the Graduate College, except for those who fulfill one of the exemptions listed here. No other test of English proficiency (such as Duolingo) can be accepted as a substitute.
• Official transcripts from all universities previously attended
• Statement of purpose: 500-1,000 words explaining your reasons for pursuing a Ph.D. in Mass Communication, and why you would be a strong applicant for an Ohio University doctoral program
• Three letters of recommendation
• Writing sample
• The GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS  reporting code  for Ohio University is  1593 .

You also are welcome to submit samples of your professional work, but they are not required.

Applicants should have a Master's degree. You need not have an undergraduate major or master’s degree in mass communication, media studies, or journalism to apply for a Ph.D. in mass communication. However, the admissions committee will look favorably on relevant academic and professional experience.

Application deadlines:

The deadline for all applicants (U.S. citizens/permanent residents and non-U.S. citizens/permanent residents) is January 2, 2025.

Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are competitively awarded based on academic record, professional experience, recommendations and current needs of the School of Media Arts and Studies and the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. All doctoral students with a graduate assistantship are required to work a minimum of 15 hours per week (and no more than 20 hours) in exchange for a stipend and full tuition waiver and may be assigned as teaching assistants, research assistants, or instructors. 

For questions or more information about our doctoral program, contact:

Research Topics & Ideas: Communication

50 Topic Ideas To Kickstart Your Research

If you’re just starting out exploring communication-related topics for your dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research by providing a hearty list of research topics and ideas related to communication and comms strategy, including examples from recent studies.

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . These topic ideas provided here are intentionally broad and generic , so keep in mind that you will need to develop them further. Nevertheless, they should inspire some ideas for your project.

To develop a suitable research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan to fill that gap. If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Communication-Related Research Topics

• Analyzing the effectiveness of crisis communication strategies in the airline industry post-accidents.
• The role of social media in shaping corporate brand identity in the fashion industry.
• Investigating the impact of internal communication on employee engagement in remote work environments.
• The effectiveness of influencer marketing in health and wellness brands.
• Analyzing the impact of virtual reality in enhancing audience engagement in museums and galleries.
• The role of communication in change management within large healthcare organizations.
• Investigating the use of digital storytelling in non-profit fundraising campaigns.
• The impact of corporate social responsibility communication on consumer perceptions in the fast-food industry.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of environmental communication strategies in promoting sustainable practices among businesses.
• The role of intercultural communication in the success of international mergers and acquisitions.
• Investigating the impact of communication style on leadership effectiveness in tech startups.
• The effectiveness of targeted advertising in political campaigns.
• Analyzing the role of public relations in managing celebrity image crises.
• The impact of mobile communication technologies on marketing strategies in retail.
• Investigating the use of employee advocacy on social media as a branding tool.
• The role of communication in enhancing customer service experiences in the hospitality industry.
• Analyzing the impact of user-generated content on brand loyalty in the automotive industry.
• The effectiveness of communication strategies in addressing gender diversity in the workplace.
• Investigating the role of strategic communication in corporate restructuring processes.
• The impact of language barriers on global marketing and advertising strategies.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of communication platforms in remote team collaboration.
• The role of multimedia content in enhancing online engagement for educational institutions.
• Investigating the impact of communication strategies on patient adherence in healthcare.
• The effectiveness of internal crisis communication in financial institutions during economic downturns.
• Analyzing the role of corporate storytelling in enhancing brand identity.

Communication Research Ideas (Continued)

• The impact of social media algorithms on news dissemination and public opinion.
• Investigating the role of communication in customer retention strategies in the telecom industry.
• The effectiveness of green marketing communication in promoting eco-friendly products.
• Analyzing the impact of augmented reality in interactive marketing campaigns.
• The role of communication in managing stakeholder relationships in construction projects.
• Investigating the impact of cultural differences on international public relations practices.
• The effectiveness of video marketing in consumer engagement on social media platforms.
• Analyzing the role of communication in employee wellness programs.
• The impact of digital communication tools on enhancing B2B sales strategies.
• Investigating the effectiveness of podcasting as a marketing tool for small businesses.
• The role of communication in facilitating organizational change in public sector organizations.
• Analyzing the impact of artificial intelligence on personalized customer communication.
• The effectiveness of integrated marketing communications in luxury brand management.
• Investigating the use of virtual events for community building in online gaming.
• The role of strategic communication in environmental advocacy.
• Analyzing the impact of communication technologies on remote learning and education.
• The effectiveness of grassroots communication campaigns in social movements.
• Investigating the role of communication in project management success in the IT industry.
• The impact of communication style on negotiation outcomes in international trade.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of brand messaging in sustainable fashion.
• The role of visual communication in enhancing brand presence on social media.
• Investigating the impact of public speaking skills on leadership effectiveness.
• The effectiveness of communication strategies in health promotion and disease prevention.
• Analyzing the role of communication in the adoption of new technologies in traditional industries.
• The impact of cross-cultural communication on global marketing and branding strategies.

Recent Communication-Related Studies

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a  research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual studies in the communication space to see how this all comes together in practice.

Below, we’ve included a selection of recent studies to help refine your thinking. These are actual studies,  so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• Studying Linguistic Means of Expression of PR Campaigns Aimed at Combating the Pandemic in the Digital Age: A Multimodal Approach (Minyar-Belorucheva & Sergienko, 2022)
• Educating communication sciences and disorders students to use evidence-based practice literature: A collaboration between a library liaison and a CSD professor (Day & Flynn, 2022)
• The Teaching and Learning of Communication Skills in Social Work Education (Reith-Hall & Montgomery, 2022)
• Communication skills training for improving the communicative abilities of student social workers (Reith-Hall & Montgomery, 2023)
• The Case for Addressing Emotional Resilience in Graduate Student Training (Malandraki, 2022)
• Role of Communication Skills: A Review (Saxena et al., 2022)
• Future Challenges of Post-third Wave Communication Studies Covid-19 Pandemic: Media Practitioner Perspective (Santoso, 2022)
• Effective communication management in a public health crisis: lessons learned about COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of health communication executives (Voges et al., 2023)
• Transdisciplinary engaged learning (Griffith, 2023) The mediating effect of mindfulness and self-compassion on leaders’ communication competence and job satisfaction (Salazar, 2022)
• Communication Skills across Engineering Curriculum: A Case Study (Kakepoto et al., 2022)
• Communication Skills among University Students (Ansari et al., 2022).
• The Management of Communication Skills Development in Literature High Secondary Education from the Student’s Point of View (Hung et al., 2022).
• A study about recognition of middle school and high school students on teacher’s communication skills (Chang et al., 2022)
• Communication pedagogy in public affairs programs: Insights from a study of MPA and MPP curricula (Manoharan & Rangarajan, 2022)
• Health communication needs for COVID-19 prevention and control among college students (Zhang et al., 2023)
• The strategic value of “chaos” in the South African context for the training of communication students (De Wet, 2022)
• Underrepresentation of Students From Diverse Backgrounds Entering Communication Sciences and Disorders Programs: An Investigation Into the University Student Perspective (Richburg, 2022)
• Communicating Science, Technology, and Environmental Issues: A Case Study of an Intercultural Learning Experience (van Kempen et al., 2022)

As you can see, these research topics are a lot more focused than the generic topic ideas we presented earlier. So, for you to develop a high-quality research topic, you’ll need to get specific and laser-focused on a specific context with specific variables of interest.  In the video below, we explore some other important things you’ll need to consider when crafting your research topic.

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If you’re still unsure about how to find a quality research topic, check out our Research Topic Kickstarter service, which is the perfect starting point for developing a unique, well-justified research topic.

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100 Communication Research Topics

Table of contents

• 1 What Is Communication Research?
• 2.1 Top Research Topic Ideas
• 2.2 Research Topics for College Students
• 2.3 Business-Focused Research Topics
• 2.4 Social Media Research Topics
• 2.5 Mass Communication Research Topics
• 2.6 Interpersonal Communication Research Topics
• 2.7 Intercultural Communication Research Topics
• 2.8 Virtual Communication Research Topics
• 2.9 Health-Related Research Topics
• 2.10 Interesting Communication Research Topics
• 3 Coming up with a Thesis Statement
• 4.1 How to Create Strong Questions for Your Paper?
• 4.2 How to Find the Right Research Topics?
• 4.3 What Makes a Research Paper Topic Strong?
• 4.4 Tips for Structuring and Writing Your Paper
• 5 Conclusion

All fields of study have fresh and intriguing new research paper topics to explore. Within the subject of communication, there are loads of possibilities for research papers . This is thanks to the development of mass media and the growing popularity of various modern communication methods.

This article covers a broad range of effective research paper topics that are both interesting and relevant for this field. Any of them would make a suitable focal point for any research paper to do with how we interact with one another.

What Is Communication Research?

This is the study of how we interact with one another. It includes how the way we interact is affected by technology, culture, and individual differences. Researchers in this field use a variety of methods to study the way we converse and interact with each other, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and experiments.

Research in this area can be used to improve communication skills in personal relationships, in the workplace, and in other settings.

Lists of Key Communication Research Topics

The range of research paper topics in this field is extensive, to say the least. Below are 100 relevant topics that are arranged in groups of 10.

They cover a broad selection of modern communication issues and debates, from corporate and computer mediated communication to effective interpersonal communication, communication strategies, and more.

Top Research Topic Ideas

The topics in this first group mostly focus on how different factors impact the way we interact with one another. These are some of the key issues in the communication discipline today.

• The role communication plays in organizations.
• How technology influences it.
• The way globalization affects it.
• How it’s influenced by broadcast media.
• Ways in which advertising impacts it.
• The influence propaganda has on it.
• How it’s impacted by public relations.
• The effects of international journalism and journalism ethics on it.
• How the use of social media influences it.
• How it’s affected by language.

Research Topics for College Students

These topics are ideal for college students. They focus on how communication processes can influence someone’s mental health and personality traits. Both of these are important since they can influence a student’s academic progress.

• How does communication shape our identities?
• How do we use it to build relationships?
• What role does it play in influencing our emotions?
• How is our thinking influenced by it?
• In what ways do we use it to manage conflict?
• How is our behavior influenced by it?
• What factors influence the effectiveness of communication?
• In what way is it impacted by technology?
• What influences do cultural differences have on it?
• How does it shape our physical and mental health?

Business-Focused Research Topics

Having effective business communication is necessary for any sort of commercial activity to improve its marketing value. Both business to business communication and interactions with the public have to get the right message across. Below are some potential areas to do with organizational communication and public relations.

• The impact of new communication technologies.
• The use of social media and external communication.
• What effects does globalization have?
• How organizational communication is used in virtual teams.
• The impact that intercultural communication has.
• The way humor is used.
• What are the effects of gender?
• How we use non-verbal communication.
• The effect that technology has on corporate communication etiquette.
• The way we use business communication in crisis situations.

Social Media Research Topics

The focus of these topics is on social media, and it affects the way we communicate with one another. Using social media and being exposed to social media marketing can both have significant effects on practical communication skills. These topics focus on the way modern digital platforms influence our interactions.

• The effect of social media on communication practices and patterns.
• How social media changes relationship development.
• What influence does social media have on how people interact with each other?
• The effect of social media on the way people share information.
• How social media impacts the way people interact with businesses.
• The effect of social media on the way people interact with governments through proper communication channels.
• What consequences does social media have on online interactions?
• The effect that social media has on the way people interact with each other offline.
• Social media’s influence on the way people interact with each other in different cultures.
• What effects does social media have on the way people interact with each other in different age groups?

Mass Communication Research Topics

Mass communication is when you share information with a large number of people at the same time. Topics to do with mass communication are very relevant, thanks to the internet, social media platforms, and other kinds of mass media. The purpose of mass media is simply to inform loads of people about something as quickly and conveniently as possible.

• What effect do social media platforms have on mass communication?
• How does new technology affect it?
• The impact that advertising has on it.
• How news media influences it.
• Ways in which propaganda impacts it.
• The influence that public relations have on it.
• How it’s impacted by digital media and print media.
• Globalization’s impact on it.
• How new forms of media affect it.
• The ways it’s influenced by social networking.

Interpersonal Communication Research Topics

This is a broad term that refers to the exchanging of information between people. It’s when you use effective communication skills to share thoughts, ideas, and facts with at least one other person. The topics in this section look at some of the latest interpersonal communication trends.

• The effect of technology on interpersonal communication.
• The effect of culture on it.
• How gender influences it.
• The effect of age on it.
• How someone’s interaction style may impact it.
• The way context may influence it.
• How relationships can influence it.
• How it can be influenced by social apprehension.
• The effect of social competence on it.
• How it’s impacted by satisfaction.

Intercultural Communication Research Topics

This is when people from different cultures exchange information. Things like different languages, traditions, and even artifacts affect intercultural communication. The topics below look at intercultural communication and how culture shapes the many ways we interact with one another.

• How culture influences the ways we interact with one another.
• The impact of intercultural communication styles on relationships.
• How culture impacts our perceptions of interaction.
• The effect that interaction has on business relationships.
• How culture influences the way we interpret nonverbal communication.
• The impact of culture on our way of interpreting speech.
• How culture influences our information processing.
• The way culture impacts our process of making decision.
• The impact of culture on how we solve problems.
• How culture influences our interactions with others.

Virtual Communication Research Topics

Are virtual communication skills essential? You have to be just as proficient at virtual dialogue as you are at spoken words. Mastering interactive online communication is key for anyone who wants to succeed, and the topics below delve into this further.

• The impact on the development of personal relationships.
• The use of virtual dialogue in the business world.
• How it influences the way we think and learn.
• The benefits of virtual communication for people with social anxiety.
• The way it’s used in education.
• How it impacts our mental health.
• Ways in which it influences family relationships.
• How it’s used in the workplace.
• The effect it has on relationships.
• The advantages and disadvantages of virtual communication.

Health-Related Research Topics

It’s essential to have effective communication strategies in any sort of healthcare setting. Having interpersonal communication competence is vital so that practitioners can speak with patients clearly and effectively. The topics below look at how internal and external communication in the healthcare industry affects and is affected by different factors.

• The effectiveness of health communication campaigns in changing health behaviors.
• The impact of social media on interactions in the health industry.
• How humor is used in it.
• How storytelling is used in it.
• What effects it has on reducing health disparities.
• What effects it has on increasing health literacy.
• How new media technologies are used in it.
• How it influences public health outcomes.
• The role it plays in health education.
• The impact it has on patient satisfaction.

Interesting Communication Research Topics

This last batch of topics looks at how both spoken words and non-verbal communication affect different things. Some of the topics are about how we interact with one another in different areas of life.

• The impact of new communication technology on social interactions.
• The way it is used in the workplace.
• How we use it in education.
• Ways in which it is used in marketing.
• How people use it in healthcare.
• The way it affects personal relationships.
• The effects it has on organizational cultures.
• How it impacts individual productivity.
• Its effects on consumer behavior.
• The influences it has on the environment.
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Coming up with a Thesis Statement

Once you have come up with a potential research topic, you should start writing. Your first step is to write an effective thesis statement .

Your thesis statement is the argument or main point you want to make about your topic. It’s a summary of what your paper is going to be about. The purpose of it is to show the reader what you will be discussing and invite them to read your work.

Once you have your thesis statement, start writing your paper. Make sure to include evidence from scholarly sources to support your work.

Topic Selection and Writing Tips

How to create strong questions for your paper.

This question doesn’t have a single answer, as the best way to create strong questions for your paper will vary depending on the specific research project and its goals.

However, some tips on how to create strong questions include:

• Start by thinking about the specific goals of your research project. What are you trying to learn or understand?
• Draft a few potential research questions that can help you answer your goals. Be sure to make them as specific as possible.
• Test your research questions by asking them to others to see if they are clear and understandable. Are they interesting to people outside of your field of study?
• Revise and refine your research questions as needed. Be sure to keep them concise and easy to understand.

How to Find the Right Research Topics?

When writing a communication research paper, first, you should decide what topic you want to learn more about.

• Do the effects of social media and mass media on communication interest you?
• What about the role of communication in a competitive global business environment?
• What is the impact of new technology on the ways we exchange information?
• Whether effective communication is necessary to ensure credible reporting?
• How do improved relations make broadcasting media laws effective?

Once you have a general topic in mind, you can begin to narrow it down by focusing on a specific aspect of this field that interests you.

For example, if you are interested in the communication importance in a business market, you might want to focus on the impact of effective business interactions on employee productivity or customer satisfaction.

Alternatively, you could look at how private media ownership is affecting mass media, bringing journalism ethics into the discussion, and how journalists are ensuring credible reporting.

What Makes a Research Paper Topic Strong?

There is no one answer to this question, as it depends on the individual and the specific research goals. However, some factors that could make a research topic strong include its relevance to current events or real-world issues, its potential to generate new and innovative ideas, and its ability to generate interesting and valuable research findings.

Additionally, a strong topic should be interesting and engaging to read and write about, and it should be something that the researcher can be passionate about.

Tips for Structuring and Writing Your Paper

When writing communication research papers, it is important to structure your argument in a manner that’s clear and concise. Your paper should have a clear research paper introduction , body, and conclusion. Within the body of your paper, there should be a strong thesis statement, evidence that supports your argument, and a conclusion summarizing your argument.

Additionally, throughout the research paper writing process, it is significant to use clear and concise language. Use communication tips to help you put your own points across more effectively.

Deciding what to focus your research paper doesn’t have to be daunting. There are a huge number of research topics available. Finding the right one is easy.

First, think about the ideas that interest you the most. Which part of communication studies are you most passionate about? Is it media ethics, mass media, or something else?

When you’ve settled on one of the research topic ideas , start the research paper writing process. Find key sources such as books and academic articles. Think about what needs addressing in your research paper.

Now, it’s time for you to produce an excellent communication research paper.

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Journalism and Mass Communication, PhD

• Program description
• At a glance
• Degree requirements
• Admission requirements
• Tuition information
• Application deadlines
• Global opportunities
• Career opportunities
• Contact information

Audience Research, Broadcasting, Criticism, Cultural Studies, Journalist, Professor, Qualitative, Quantitative Reasoning, Research, Strategic Media, Technology, Television, cronkite, digital, law

If you are interested in a deeper examination of the role and influence of media and media technologies in today's increasingly complex world, this program can help you become a thought leader or educator in the fields of journalism, strategic communication and global mass communication.

The PhD program in journalism and mass communication at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication is a highly individualized program that attracts seasoned media professionals transitioning to academia, as well as recent graduates of master's degree-level programs in journalism and communication, social and behavioral sciences, or the humanities.

Students have access to the resources, training and mentorship they need to answer critical questions that challenge the fields of journalism, digital and social media, strategic communication and audience studies, and global mass communication.

The program is designed around core values of inclusion, collaboration and mentoring, transdisciplinarity and original research.

Students are able to develop individual programs of study, taking coursework and drawing on knowledge and methodologies from diverse fields that have a bearing on questions within mass communication. Examples include political science, film, computer and data sciences, sociology, anthropology and more.

Within the Cronkite School, students work closely with faculty mentors and fellow students on collaborative projects, develop their own research programs, and benefit from the advice and examples of senior scholars for personalized guidance.

The ultimate goal of the program is to train scholars capable of identifying key questions, designing appropriate studies to investigate those questions, and conducting independent and impactful research. Students are exposed to a wide range of theories and methods so they can forge their own scholarly identity based on interests and aptitudes.

The Cronkite School is committed to creating an environment in which everyone feels they are represented, their experience is equitable, they are fully accepted for who they are and they are valued. The school strives daily to be a welcoming place for all members of the community, where the importance and contribution of each individual is valued and respected.

• College/school: Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
• Location: Downtown Phoenix
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (18 credit hours)

Electives (18 credit hours)

Other Requirements (24 credit hours) previous master's degree or additional hours approved by the supervisory committee (24)

Research (12 credit hours)

Dissertation (12 credit hours)

Additional Curriculum Information Students should see the academic unit for an approved course list.

Students entering the program with a master's degree in journalism or mass communication or a related field must complete 60 credit hours of coursework. Students who are admitted to the program without a master's degree are required to complete an additional 24 credit hours of coursework.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

Applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• three letters of recommendation
• personal statement of interest
• statement of research goals
• samples of scholarly work (optional)
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. TOEFL scores must be at least 100 on the internet-based test; a Duolingo score must be at least 120.

The personal statement of interest should be approximately 1,000--1,500 words and explain why the student wants to pursue a doctorate in mass communication as well as why the Cronkite School program fits their career and personal aims.

The statement of research goals should indicate at least two Cronkite research faculty members with whom the student would like to work, supported by relevant citations of the faculty members' scholarly publications.

Students should see the program website for application deadlines and admission terms. Applicants must meet all deadlines and application requirements to be considered.

The Cronkite School's doctoral committee reviews complete applications. Recommendations for admission are made to Graduate Admission Services, where the final admission decisions are made.

The Cronkite doctorate program is multicultural, with students and alumni hailing from all over the world and bringing their experiences into seminar discussions and research. There are also opportunities to work on international grant-funded research projects led by Cronkite faculty to broaden students' perspective on issues within the discipline. More information on available programs can be found on the Global Education Office website .

Graduates with a doctorate in journalism and mass communication are prepared for any of a number of career opportunities.

Professionals with expertise in mass media and communications are in high demand as universities and institutions train the next generation of media professionals. Career examples include:

• industry researcher or trainer
• media analyst
• media consultant
• university professor

Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm | CRONK 302 [email protected] 602-496-5555 Admission deadlines

Research in Media Psychology

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The Stanford Department of Communication has long been a pioneer in studying the relationships between digital media, psychology and behavior. In the early nineties, Clifford Nass and his graduate students were among the first in the world to empirically examine constructs such as agency and anthropomorphism. Soon thereafter Byron Reeves and Clifford Nass published their landmark book,  The Media Equation , which set the stage for a new research paradigm based on the notion that the brain has not evolved to differentiate mediated experiences from actual ones. Indeed, one of the fastest growing divisions of the International Communication Association, Communication and Technology, is substantially based on the work of Stanford scholars.

Currently, the area focuses on a number of ways in which digital media affect people.  Jeremy Bailenson  directs the  Virtual Human Interaction Lab  and studies the phenomenon of digital human representation, especially in the context of immersive virtual reality.  Jeff Hancock  uses computational linguistics to analyze interpersonal relations in social media.  Gabriella Harari  studies the ways the digital technologies we use everyday reveal our personality structures and shape our life outcomes.  Nilam Ram  studies the dynamic interplay between psychological and media processes and how they change from moment-to-moment and across the life span.  Byron Reeves  utilizes physiological measures to understand media effects in multiplayer game technology, and develops applications for using those networked games to address critical issues such as global warming.

Students and faculty in the media psychology area collaborate frequently with other departments on campus. Current Communication faculty have active collaborations with scholars in computer science, education, psychology, engineering, linguistics, the business school, and MediaX. The department also draws a steady stream of visits from new media technology researchers.

Faculty — Media Psychology

Postdoctoral Scholars — Media Psychology

Doctoral Students — Media Psychology

Selected Graduates in Academia

• Mark Miller, Ph.D. 2023. Assistant Professor, Computer Science, Illinois Institute of Technology
• Mu-Jung Cho , Ph.D. 2020. Postdoc, Stanford School of Medicine, Pediatrics
• Dave Miller , Ph.D. 2019. Postdoc, Cornell University
• Dave Markowitz , Ph.D. 2018. Assistant Professor, Department of Communication, University of Oregon
• Jakki Bailey , Ph.D. 2017. Assistant Professor, School of Information, University of Texas at Austin
• Rene Kizilcec , Ph.D. 2017, Assistant Professor, Information School, Cornell University
• James Scarborough , Ph.D. 2017, Lecturer, Department of Communication, Cal Poly
• James Cummings , Ph.D. 2016. Assistant Professor, Emerging Media Studies, Boston University
• Jamy Li , Ph.D. 2016. Assistant Professor, Human Media Interaction, University of Twente, Netherlands
• Andrea Stevenson Won , Ph.D. 2016. Assistant Professor, Department of Communication, Cornell University
• Yeon Joo , Ph.D. 2014, Associate Professor, Department of Digital Media, Myungji University
• Dean Eckles , Ph.D. 2012, Professor, MIT Sloan School of Management
• Kathryn Segovia , Ph.D. 2012, Head of Learning Experience Design, Stanford d.school
• Grace Ahn , Ph.D. 2011, Associate Professor, College of Journalism, University of Georgia
• Jesse Fox , Ph.D. 2010, Associate Professor, Department of Communication, The Ohio State University
• Roselyn Jong-Eun Lee-Won , Ph.D. 2009, Assistant Professor, Department of Communication, The Ohio State University
• Leila Takayama , Ph.D. 2008, Associate Professor, Psychology, University of California Santa Cruz
• Sohye Lim , Ph.D. 2006, Associate Professor, EWHA Women’s University
• Kevin Wise , Ph.D. 2004, Associate Professor, Department of Advertising, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Eun-Ju Lee , Ph.D. 2000, Professor, Seoul National University
• Katherine Isbister , Ph.D. 1998, Professor, Department of Computational Media at University of California Santa Cruz
• Osei Appiah , Ph.D. 1998, Professor, School of Communication, The Ohio State University
• Brian Fogg , Ph.D. 1997, Research Scholar, Stanford
• Youngme Moon , Ph.D. 1996, Donald K. David Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School
• Benjamin Detenber , Ph.D. 1995, Professor, School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University
• S. Shyam Sundar , Ph.D. 1995, Distinguished Professor, Penn State University
• Glenn Leshner , Ph.D. 1994, Professor, College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Oklahoma University
• Michael Basil , Ph.D. 1992, Professor, School of Business, University of Lethbridge
• Barbara Brown , Ph.D. 1989, School of Business, San Jose State (retired)
• Michael Slater , Ph.D. 1988, Director and Professor, School of Communication, The Ohio State University

Selected Graduates in Industry and Nonprofit

• Hanseul Jun, Ph.D. 2022. Software Engineer, Apple
• Mufan Luo , Ph.D. 2021. Robinhood
• Annabelle Ho , Ph.D. 2019, UX Researcher, Google
• Catherine Oh , Ph.D. 2019, Researcher, Google
• Megan French , Ph.D. 2018, UX Researcher, Facebook
• Ketaki Shriram , Ph.D. 2017, CTO, Krikey
• Leo Yeykelis , Ph.D. 2015, Head of UX Research, VMWare
• Lorin Dole , Ph.D. 2011, UX Researcher, Google
• Helen Harris , Ph.D. 2011, UX Research Manager, Google
• Jiang Hu , Ph.D. 2011, Oracle
• Katherine Murray , Ph.D. 2011
• Victoria Groom , Ph.D. 2010
• Shailendra Rao , Ph.D. 2010, Uber
• Vanessa Vega , Ph.D. 2010, Research Associate, Rockman Et Al
• Jane Wang , Ph.D. 2010
• David Danielson , Ph.D. 2008
• Nick Yee , Ph.D. 2007, Co-Founder and Analytics Lead, Quantic Foundry
• Eva Jettmar , Ph.D. 2006
• Scott Brave , Ph.D. 2003, CTO, Fullcontact, Inc.
• Li Gong , Ph.D. 2001, Researcher, SAP
• Raoul Rickenberg , Ph.D. 1999
• Peter Orton , Ph.D. 1995, Media Research Scientist, IBM (retired)
• David Voelker , Ph.D. 1994, Strategic Communication Consultant
• Seth Geiger , Ph.D. 1990, President, Smith-Geiger Media Research

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178 Communication Research Topics For Your Paper

Imagine what the world would be without communication! How would we get along? I guess there would be no sense in existing after all. That is just a tiny snippet of how important communication is in everyday life. Exchanging information is a key component of coexistence as it creates order and a sense of satisfaction in the end.

However, communication as a discipline cuts across all other niches in the academic world. Students from an Engineering course would also take up communication as a unit of study. Students delve into the transmission, representation, reception, and decoding of information communicated to a greater extent.

Situations When You May Need To Write A Communication Paper

Various scenarios call for a communication paper either as an assignment or a research project in college. The communication papers needed for every situation vary in format and outline. Here are some of the cases when communication papers are necessary:

When writing a resume or cover letter In presentations and reports Internal or external communication in a company Writing a thesis statement

When writing communication papers in these different scenarios, students can develop the following aspects:

Understand the various communication phenomena Ability to direct communication messages towards accomplishing individual and organizational goals Understand various types of communication such as rhetoric, interpersonal or organizational

Such an assignment is peculiar because it deals with students’ communication processes. Therefore, the student can easily relate a communication assignment to the real-world environment.

You will have to conduct extensive digging before writing your paper like any other research project. In writing a communication research paper, you will benefit from the importance of communication in general, such as building better relationships and finding the right solutions to various problems.

It takes a lot of time to create a high-quality writing, so you have all the right to ask dissertation writers for hire to help.

Guidelines On Structure And Step By Step Tips On Writing

To have an award-winning communication paper, you need to understand that structure is always at the heart of it all. A great communication paper follows the structure below:

Solid intro : Begin by presenting a captivating introduction by highlighting the facts, questions, or problems that you will explore in the body. The reader should find more than a million reasons to proceed with your essay by reading the first two lines. A strong thesis statement is also necessary for the introduction. An insightful literature review : It shows the theoretical basis of your research project, thus giving it validity. An in-depth literature review will give room for exploration and further research. Main body : This is where we expect to find all your findings, methodological steps, concepts, analyses, and the outcome. Discussion and conclusion : Depending on your professor’s instructions, you can divide this into two parts or put it as one. In either case, this section will consist of the strengths and weaknesses of your research and any future development or improvements. You could also compare the results found in your research with what other authors have discovered.

Provided you have all your facts at hand, a communication research paper will be the easiest you will ever handle in college. Nonetheless, you can order a custom paper from various online writing experts.

If you want to make an impression with your communication research paper, here are some tips to consider:

Select a thought-provoking and captivating research topic Have a working outline with all the arguments and examples/evidence in place Ensure that you exhaust reading all the possible research materials on your topic Such papers are always in the first person except in unique cases

You can review some of the samples on our essay writer to familiarize yourself with the structure and outline of a communication research paper.

Let’s now explore 178 of the hottest communication research topics to ace your project:

Top Interpersonal Communication Research Topics

• Evaluate the different relational patterns of interaction theory
• How to achieve coordinated management of meaning
• Discuss the fundamentals of pedagogical communication
• How does technology relate to interpersonal communication?
• Key constructs of openness and closeness
• Establishing identities in the identity management theory
• Evaluate the contribution of interpersonal communication scholars
• How mental representations influence how people interpret information
• Conceptualizing the process of social interaction
• Discuss the various behavioral interaction patterns among siblings
• Why do individuals modify their communicative behavior?
• Describe why new environments present a challenge for most people to communicate effectively
• The role of eye contact and gestures in interpersonal communication
• Varying effects of nonverbal and verbal acts of interpersonal communication
• Effects of different cultures on interpersonal communication strategies

World-Class Communication Research Topics For College Students

• Understanding the historical research methods in communication
• Discuss the relationship between technology, media, and culture
• Evaluate the various revolutions in human communication
• Discuss the developments made in the invention of human speech and language
• The role of image-making, cinema, and media entertainment in communication
• How to overcome communication barriers among students
• Steps in encouraging participation in meetings
• How employees contribute to the information flow in organizations
• How to evaluate a report based on its findings
• Sources of error during nonverbal communication
• How the media can match the channels of communication to their audience
• Ensuring audience attention during a presentation
• The impact of graphics in communication strategies
• How to interpret non-verbal signals
• Developing communication methods that match a given purpose

Possible Topics For Communication Research

• How to develop realistic communication strategies
• Discuss the economics of finance in communication processes
• How exposure to radio and TV impacts communication
• How to manage controversial issues in communication
• Why speaking with confidence is still difficult for many people
• The effectiveness of communicating with words and body language
• Why defining your purpose is key in any communication process
• Why explanatory communication is more difficult than informative communication
• The place of communication in long-distance relationships
• Communication strategies that influence people
• How to use communication effectively for conflict resolution
• Developing your self-esteem for effective communication
• Effects of redundancy in communication processes
• The place of responsibility in developing communication messages
• How to acquire effective communication skills in college

Latest Communication Topic For Research

• The role of persuasive dialogue in negotiations
• Why everyone must learn proper expression strategies
• Effects of emoji and other characters in enhancing textual conversations
• The role of propaganda in shaping communication tones
• Evaluate the unique political language used in America versus Africa
• The continuing impact of the internet on interpersonal communication
• How images are enhancing communication
• Discuss the effects of gender victimization on communication
• Evaluate the development of modern digital communication
• How to effectively communicate during a war or crisis
• How hacking is transforming communication of encrypted messages
• Effects of stereotyping in developing communication messages
• Is virtual reality ruining effective communication?
• Evaluate language as a barrier in communicating messages
• The role of empathy in communicating to victims of a disaster

Top-Notch Communication Research Paper Topics

• The role of diplomacy in fostering better relations among countries
• Why aided communication may not achieve the intended purpose
• Effects of using a translator in the communication of critical messages
• Evaluate the development of audio-visual devices for communication
• The dangers of failing to notice barriers to communication
• How stigma and prejudice impact effective communication
• Discuss the impact of having a common language in a country
• How social classes affect communication messages
• Factors that hinder communication between fighting political sides
• How to develop strong communication skills in a marketplace
• Why opinions may prevent one from seeing the true picture
• Discuss the role of fantasy and exaggeration in communication
• Differences between oral and verbal messages in conveying information
• The role of attitude and mood in enhancing effective message delivery
• How the media sets the communication pattern of a given society

Highly Rated Mass Communication Research Topics

• Discuss the essence of social media among PR practitioners
• The role of mass media in rebranding a nation
• Challenges to media freedom and their impact on proper communication
• Discuss the effects of news commercialization and their credibility
• How TV advertisements impact children and their development
• Compare and contrast between animation and real-people adverts in mass media
• How the internet affects professionalization in news media
• How mass media messages contribute to the development of religion in Africa
• Evaluate the radio listenership patterns between men and women
• How does mass media contribute to an emerging democracy
• Discuss how the media enlightens the public on issues of concern
• The role of mass media in communicating development messages
• Why mass media is critical before, during, and after elections
• Assess the influence of community radio in remote areas
• How mass media contributes to national integration

Good Communication Research Topics

• What determines consumer preference patterns in the 21 st century?
• Effective communication strategies for creating awareness against drug abuse
• Prospects and challenges of local dialects in communication
• Evaluate the influence of television on public opinion
• Discuss the growing cyberactivism in the digital age
• How social media is contributing to misleading information
• Challenges facing teachers when communicating to pre-school students
• Discuss the impact of information overload on the credibility of information
• Evaluate communication patterns among the youth in the US
• Assess the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on communication patterns
• How public perception influences communication strategies
• Explain how mothers learn to communicate with and understand their babies at such a tender age
• The role of music in shaping communication models
• How to overcome the challenge of top-down communication in companies
• Management of information on online media for effective use

Business Communication Research Paper Topics

• Discuss the increasing role of influencers on brand marketing
• Why company blogs are essential in attracting new clients
• Evaluate the differences between face to face and virtual business meetings
• The growing popularity of social media in business marketing
• Why every company should have a partner relations department
• Dealing with complaints in a relaxed and useful manner
• Why online project management is the future of business
• Discuss why it is necessary to have company retreats
• Explore the role of digital document sharing in speeding up business communication
• Effects of relying on online communication at the expense of physical meetings
• The role of effective business management in the performance of an organization
• How staff motivation improve the overall working environment
• Discuss the place of corporate social responsibility in a company
• Effective ways of handling crisis in a large company
• Explain why trust is important in any business partnerships

Intercultural Communication Research Topics

• Discuss how Muslims interact with Christians at a social level
• Evaluate the reception of instructions from a man to a woman
• How Americans interact with Africans at the basic level
• Discuss how an American Democrat would associate with a Chinese politician
• Discuss the impact of marginalization in developing communication messages
• How migration and immigration affect communication patterns
• Effects of social stereotyping in communication
• How do Western communication models differ from those of Africa?
• Impact of discriminatory communication messages
• How to organize an effective intergroup come-together
• How the media represents various groups in its communication
• Effects of the growing intercultural norms
• The role of language attitudes in inhibiting effective communication
• Evaluate how ethnographic perspectives affect communication messages
• Why it is difficult to solve intercultural conflicts

Additional Interpersonal Communication Topics For Research Paper

• The role of interpersonal communication in team member satisfaction
• How collaboration and teamwork enhances business success
• Discuss how interpersonal communication enhances problem-solving skills
• The role of trust in interpersonal communication
• Effects of confusion, negativity, and conflicts on interpersonal communication
• How to deal with workplace miscommunication effectively
• The role of personalizing information
• How to improve internal communication channels in a company
• Discuss the role of interests in communication patterns
• Challenges when implementing modern communication solutions
• Evaluate how jargon and inattention make internal communication difficult
• The role of feedback in interpreting messages correctly
• Discuss the influence of environmental factors in communication
• Why miscommunication may result in a disconnect among a group of people
• Discuss the role of skills and knowledge in effective communication among leaders

Interesting Communication Research Topics

• How can effective interpersonal communication be a catalyst for action
• Why a focused and intentional approach is necessary for effective communication
• Discuss why online dating is not successful in most cases
• Evaluate the role of non-verbal communication and customer satisfaction
• Why is it important to have a list of communication networks?
• Effects of lack of personal contact when it comes to communication
• Discuss the various forms of human interactions and their influence on communication
• The role of clear communication during an organizational change process
• Why online communication is not as effective as physical meetings
• Evaluate the roles and issues involved in a nurse-patient communication
• The role of TV shows in determining how people relate to each other in the society
• Effects of the digital divide in communication paradigms
• The relationship between quality leadership and effective communication
• Why is email still not yet an effective communication medium?
• Effects of integrating marketing communication

General Communication Studies Research Topics

• Discuss the differences in body language between male and female
• The role of communication in familiarizing with someone
• How online gaming communication affects one’s interpersonal communication
• Why a leader without proper communication skills may not succeed
• The role of communication in achieving an organization’s vision
• How mobile phone conversations are turning around interpersonal communication
• Discuss the role of different personality types in communication
• Is there a difference between language and communication?
• Discuss how communication in the military is different from that in a normal setting
• Compare and contrast between written and spoken forms of communication
• Why family communication is critical for a peaceful coexistence
• Shortcomings to understanding foreign languages
• Discuss the effectiveness of web-based communication

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Research Areas

The field of Communication is a dynamic and interdisciplinary one, continually evolving at the pace of our world.

At the Annenberg School for Communication, we embrace the diversity of Communication by encouraging students to shape their own academic path within the generosity of a broad field, working alongside faculty who themselves hail from a variety of different disciplines. 

Broadly speaking, our faculty and students do work in the areas of culture and media , global communication , health communication , media institutions , political communication , and technology & society . In many cases, more than one of these areas would apply to their work. Click through each research area below to read more about the people and research in each. 

Culture & Media

Rituals, practices, and artifacts profoundly shape individuals, groups, and societies. Communication is central to the construction, maintenance, and transmission of culture, as well as to cultural resistance and change. We explore the relationship between communication and culture and its implications for private, civil, and civic life.

Global Communication

From Asia to the Middle East to Latin America and beyond, our researchers dive deep into the messages and media systems from around the globe, finding the unique characteristics in regional, national, and global contexts as well as the threads that link humanity around the world. 

Health Communication

Messaging from clinicians, policymakers, and the media plays a major role in personal and public health. Annenberg examines the role of communication on health-related attitudes, opinions, information-processing, and behavior of individuals and groups.

Media Institutions

We explore the history, design, diffusion, and regulation of traditional and emerging media, from specific technologies, mediums, organizations, and industries to their formation into broader local, national, and international media systems.

Political Communication

Annenberg's political communication research examines the role of interpersonal and mass-mediated communication on the attitudes, opinions, information-processing, and behavior of citizens, political elites, political institutions, and political systems. 

Science Communication

The complexity of scientific findings on vitally important topics like climate change, viruses and vaccines, and substance use can often be challenging for the general public to understand. Annenberg faculty and students develop principles for best communicating important scientific truths to everyone.

Technology & Society

From big data and network science to the impact of new technologies on our day-to-day lives, Annenberg research is at the cutting-edge of understanding the impact of shifting platforms and modes of communication on individuals and societies.

More in Research Areas

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Sign up for our monthly newsletter, Annenberg NOW, and occasional updates on events, news, and more.

• General Communication & Media Studies

Diversity in U.S. Mass Media, 3rd Edition

ISBN: 978-1-119-84460-0

Wiley-Blackwell

Digital Evaluation Copy

Catherine A. Luther , Naeemah Clark , Carolyn Ringer Lepre

Provides students with clear and up-to-date coverage of the various areas associated with representations of diversity within the mass media

Diversity in U.S. Mass Media is designed to help undergraduate and graduate students deepen the conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion in the media industries. Identifying consistencies and differences in representations of social identity groups in the United States, this comprehensive textbook critically examines a wide range of issues surrounding media portrayals of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, class, and religion. Throughout the text, students are encouraged to contextualize various issues, place one social group within the framework of others, and consider how diverse communities inform and intersect with each other.

Now in its third edition, Diversity in U.S. Mass Media addresses ongoing problematic portrayals, highlights recent progress, presents new research studies and observations, and offers innovative approaches for promoting positive change across the media landscape. Two entirely new chapters explore the ways identity-based social movements, Artificial Intelligence (AI), gaming, social media, and social activism construct, challenge, and defend representations of different groups. Updated references and new examples of social group depictions in streaming services and digital media are accompanied by expanded discussion of intersectionality, social activism, creating inclusive learning and working environments, media depictions of mixed-race individuals and couples, and more.

Offering fresh insights into the contemporary issues surrounding depictions of social groups in films, television, and the press, Diversity in U.S. Mass Media:

• Examines the historical evolution and current media depictions of American Indians, African Americans, Latino/Hispanic Americans, Arab Americans, and Asian Americans
• Helps prepare students in Journalism and Mass Communication programs to work in diverse teams
• Covers the theoretical foundations of research in mass media representations, including social comparison theory and feminist theory
• Contains a wealth of real-world examples illustrating the concepts and perspectives discussed in each chapter
• Includes access to an instructor's website with a test bank, viewing list, exercises, sample syllabi, and other useful pedagogical tools

Diversity in U.S. Mass Media, Third Edition, remains an ideal textbook for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in Media Communication, Film and Television Studies, Journalism, American Studies, Entertainment and Media Research, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

CATHERINE A. LUTHER is Director of the Information Integrity Institute and Minnie Doty Goddard Distinguished Professor in the School of Journalism and Media at the University of Tennessee. She has published in numerous journals, such as the Journal of International Communication and Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly.

NAEEMAH CLARK is a Professor of Cinema & TV Arts at Elon University, currently serving as Associate Provost focusing on equity, inclusion, and belonging in teaching, pedagogy, recruitment, and retention. She has published in the Huffington Post and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and has presented two TedTalks related to media representations.

CAROLYN RINGER LEPRE is President of Salisbury University. She previously served as Dean of the School of Communication Arts at Marist College and as interim President, Provost, and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Radford University. She has written numerous book chapters, encyclopedia entries, and journal articles on media and representation.

Transparency and communication are key to building successful research collaborations

Working together can make research stronger, but cooperation can be complicated. Here’s how to get the most out of collaboration

Vol. 54 No. 6 Print version: page 71

• Conducting Research
• Working as a Psychologist

As psychology’s prominence continues to grow, researchers are collaborating more both within the field and across disciplines. These collaborations can help psychologists reach a wider audience, have a bigger impact, and ultimately improve the work that’s being done.

But collaborations come with complications, such as managing team dynamics, communicating effectively, determining authorship, working across time zones, combining funding, and more. To make collaborations successful, researchers say communication and transparency are key.

Jay Van Bavel, PhD, a social psychologist at New York University, and Claire Robertson, a doctoral student in his lab, had an accidental success story of an interdisciplinary, international collaboration that highlighted what makes collaborations work. They had set out to study the effect of negative headlines on online news consumption. But after submitting their findings to the journal Nature Human Behaviour, they were shocked to receive an email from the journal that another set of researchers had submitted identical findings, using the same data set, within days of Van Bavel and Robertson’s submission.

To deal with this unusual situation, the journal editors asked both research teams if they’d be willing to jointly submit a manuscript. Van Bavel and Robertson agreed and found themselves unexpectedly collaborating with a team of computer scientists from Germany and Switzerland for the next 20 months.

The teams managed to mesh, with both sides genuinely excited about what the other could offer, ultimately publishing their paper in March ( Nature Human Behaviour , Vol. 7, 2023 ).

“It ended up being a really great collaboration,” Robertson said. “In the end, it made the paper 10 times stronger.”

Most people won’t form a partnership this way. But what made their cooperation work is common among successful research teams: communication, compromise, and enthusiasm for each other’s contributions.

Launching a collaboration

Collaborations, especially across disciplines or national boundaries, can be stressful, said Kim Gorgens, PhD, a rehabilitation psychologist at the University of Denver who is involved in several multidisciplinary projects with other researchers and community organizations in Colorado. “But the payout is so worth it,” Gorgens said. “The chance to reach another audience or to think about your results in a way that is informed by another lens is a way to stay more relevant as a psychologist.”

Some collaborations arise naturally out of networking at conferences or on academic listservs; in other cases, researchers go looking for them. Social media can be one place to connect: Researchers have found collaborators through Twitter and through blog posts. Combing through the scientific literature on a particular topic is another common method. “I’m a cold-caller,” Gorgens said.

Often, potential collaborations simmer for years before they come to fruition. Julie McCarthy, PhD, a psychologist at Mass General Brigham McLean, is an early career investigator midway through a National Institute on Drug Abuse K23 career development grant. McCarthy is part of active collaborations and is also working on building a network through trainings, workshops, and other one-off activities to lay the foundation for future ones.

“Some of the advice I’ve gotten is that it’s really important that you like and trust the people you’re working with,” she said. “It’s a nice way to test the waters with respect to the type of work people are doing, how they think about these research and clinical issues, and whether they are excited about the same things that you are.”

When first working with someone, it’s important to make sure you’re on the same page. One way to do that is to develop what Howard Gadlin, PhD, a psychologist and retired ombuds for the National Institutes of Health, calls a “scientific prenup.” By laying out basic parameters about authorship, data handling, decision-making processes, and goals, researchers can avoid conflict in the long run, Gadlin said.

“When some people first hear about this idea, their reaction is, ‘If I ask people to have a prenup, they will think I don’t trust them,’” he said. “But the prenup is exactly the basis for establishing trust, because you detail your expectations of one another and divide up roles and responsibilities.”

Common sticking points often emerge around credit and authorship, Gadlin said. In the case of Robertson and Van Bavel, figuring out how to handle who would be first author and senior author was one of the foremost orders of business, especially given the importance of first-author publications for graduate students like Robertson. (The team settled on joint first authorship for Robertson and her German counterpart.)

Examples and templates for collaboration agreements are available at multiple organizations, including the Psychological Science Accelerator and ManyBabies , an open science consortium for infant research. “Transparency and clarity are the two big things we try to live by,” said Heidi Baumgartner, PhD, a developmental psychologist at Stanford University, the codirector of the Stanford Big Team Science Lab, and the executive director of ManyBabies. “Whatever the expectations are, just write them down and make that available to everyone.”

Navigating compromise and cooperation

One of the big challenges in multidisciplinary collaborations is talking across fields—and adjusting to the norms of a different discipline. Diversity of educational background and experience positively influences team creativity, said Roni Reiter-Palmon, PhD, an industrial-organizational psychologist at the University of Nebraska Omaha who collaborates with researchers from medical science and engineering. Her collaborators read different journals, attend different conferences, and use different analysis methods. “They bring a wealth of information that I would not normally see, and I bring to them information that they would not normally see,” she said.

Finding a shared vocabulary is key to mining these various perspectives. Different fields may use terminology in different ways, so it’s important to be clear about definitions, Reiter-Palmon said. It is also important to step outside the norms of psychology to understand the goals and needs of other fields. For example, does an article in a psychology journal benefit a computer scientist when it comes time for them to apply for tenure? Is everyone growing professionally from their role on the team? Is there a way to design goals that will work for everyone? Is the team prioritizing voices of early-career researchers and researchers from marginalized backgrounds, who might lack the status of more established or White scientists? Is there input from community partners? Psychologists’ expertise in issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion often makes them a good point person for navigating these questions, Gorgens said.

And then there are the practicalities: How will your team schedule meetings, jointly edit manuscripts, and share data? These issues become particularly important for international collaborations. For example, to be fair to team members in different time zones, it might be important to rotate through different meeting times so one group isn’t always stuck logging in to Zoom during nonwork hours. “You have to adjust,” said Pina Marsico, PhD, a developmental and educational psychologist at the University of Salerno and the president-elect of APA’s Division 52 (International Psychology).

When collaborating internationally, it’s also important to avoid doing scientific tourism or parachute science, Marsico said, which is typically defined as dropping into a foreign location for one’s own benefit, without engaging with the knowledge of local scientists and stakeholders. The best international projects grow out of strong ties with researchers in other countries and mutual benefit. In Europe, Latin America, and Asia, the Kitchen Seminar Network  aims to build these kinds of ties by pairing mentees with mentors from other nations so that students start working across borders from the master’s level onward. Marsico is working on a similar, multidisciplinary network for the Southern Hemisphere called the Global South Network.

These considerations can also be important in domestic research. McCarthy is working on a proposal for a project to implement Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), a program for loved ones of people with substance use disorders, at the Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock, New Mexico, which grew out of volunteer work she did at the center. Shiprock is within the Navajo Nation, so it was important to avoid a colonialist model of introducing a program that the community didn’t want, McCarthy said.

“I’m very mindful of collaborating with communities that may have had experience with research colonialism and want to make sure that anything I would be doing with them is coming from an identified need from within that community,” she said. On-the-ground collaborators can also be invaluable for logistics, such as working out ways programs can be delivered within their specific organization.

While planning ahead and thinking through workflow issues can head off many problems, disagreements may still arise. In those cases, facilitated or mediated discussions can be helpful, Gadlin said.

“Many universities have either an ombudsperson or other conflict-resolution program, and, of course, there are mediators in the private sector,” he said. “I’ve always been a big believer that facilitated conversation is a reasonable way to address conflicts.” Some collaborations might choose a neutral arbiter and agree ahead of time to follow that person’s decision about a conflict. Others set up a majority-minority opinion process, much like the U.S. Supreme Court: If there are dissenting opinions within the group about the interpretation of the results, those researchers get the chance to publish a “minority opinion” as a supplement or special section of the final research paper. Sometimes just knowing that that is an option heads off arguments, Baumgartner said, because everyone knows their voice will ultimately be heard.

And sometimes conflict is the starting point for collaboration. Adversarial collaboration, first developed over two decades ago by Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman, PhD, a psychologist and professor emeritus at Princeton University, is when scientists with opposing theoretical views conduct experiments jointly. This forces transparency in methods and rigor from the beginning of a study and can avoid years of back-and-forth and criticism between teams working separately. Kahneman and his first adversarial collaborators, Thomas Gilovich and Victoria Medvec, published their research on the experience of regret in 1998, finding that both sides were a little bit right ( Psychological Review , Vol. 105, No. 3 ). The Adversarial Collaboration Project at the University of Pennsylvania supports these types of research partnerships, which are still rare.

Reaping the benefits

There are often structural barriers to collaborations, especially collaborating across disciplines. It can be hard to move money from one department to another, Gorgens said, complicating funding issues. Funding structures aren’t often set up to distribute small amounts of money to multiple labs, Baumgartner said, meaning a lot of big team science in psychology relies on volunteer efforts and researchers piggybacking experiments onto projects they already have running. Rigid rules around authorship and credit can also de-incentivize working together. To simplify the process, Baumgartner and her colleagues are advocating for the standard use of the Contributor Roles Taxonomy , a system for divvying up credit refined by the Consortia Advancing Standards in Research Administration Information and the National Information Standards Organization.

“Every chance we get, we’re trying to bring up these points with more senior people in the field with power on hiring and tenure committees to help those people understand the benefits and importance of participating in big team research,” Baumgartner said. In her field, which relies on infant research, the biggest benefit is data pooling. Infant participants are hard to recruit and not always cooperative in the lab, so many infant studies have tiny sample sizes. By letting a network of labs share their data, these team science collaborations enable much larger samples.

Collaborations often lead to other benefits and partnerships. Vicki Gier, PhD, an experimental psychologist in memory and cognition at Mississippi State University–Meridian, began working with researchers at other institutes more than 15 years ago to deliver distance research talks to her psychology students, who, given the small department and campus, otherwise would have very limited exposure to the work of academic psychologists. That effort has now expanded internationally, with researchers from Germany, Thailand, and the Philippines giving lectures on their work. It has been a boon to Gier’s work, too.

“I also am collaborating with people now that I never would have known before if I hadn’t had the opportunity of meeting them through this,” said Gier, who presented on the effort at APA 2023.

Gorgens’ work with the local criminal justice system and legislative advocates has contributed to real-world change. In 2021, the Colorado governor signed into law S.B. 21-138, requiring screening and support for brain injury in people involved with the criminal justice system, an effort spearheaded by community advocate Marchell Taylor, who was incarcerated at the time and who was a community stakeholder in Gorgens’s research team. Soon after, a survivor of intimate partner violence (IPV) named Melissa Bickford contacted Gorgens about advocating for a similar bill for people who had experienced IPV. Gorgens was able to act as a node in a network, connecting Bickford to Taylor for mentorship. Colorado S.B. 22-057, which created a task force to begin a brain-injury screening program for survivors of IPV, passed in 2022.

“It’s harder to do the work. It’s certainly more fraught with hurdles and stress than collaborating with colleagues next door,” Gorgens said. “But my advice would be that it’s worth it, so hang in there.”

Further reading

How to build up big team science: A practical guide for large-scale collaborations Baumgartner, H. A., et al., Royal Society Open Science , 2023

Adversarial collaboration Rakow, T., In O’Donohue, W., et al. (Eds.), Avoiding Questionable Research Practices in Applied Psychology, Springer, 2022

Ghosted in science: How to move on when a potential collaborator suddenly stops responding Simha, A., Nature , May 26, 2023

TSAG pilot Implementation study of team science trainings and interventions University of Wisconsin Institute for Clinical and Translational Research

Enhancing the effectiveness of team science Cooke, N. J., & Hilton, M. L. (Eds.), The National Academies Press, 2015

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