Periodical Review Of Human Communications Research Essay

, Research Paper

This is a review of Human Communications Research (HCR) journal. It is published quarterly beginning in September (Fall) and ending in June (Summer). The review being done is on Volume 22, which extends from September 1995 to June 1996. The journal takes a behavioral science perspective in its research of human communications. Research areas include Interpersonal, organizational, mass communication, methodology, information systems and persuasion. HCR is a periodical that recognizes that the world is constantly evolving and that communications research must do the same in order to develop a more clear understanding of the important issues and situational demands that are at hand. In maintaining this approach, HCR focuses on exploring new research areas as well as taking a more theoretical approach. They are also trying to acknowledge more international research studies. Methodologically speaking, they seem to remain open to possibilities and try to promote discussion through their acceptance of articles.

The new senior editor Cindy Gallois, in her editorial best describes the general direction and intent of HCR. One of the main goals is to encourage diversity so that HCR will have something of interest for every reader. She also says that HCR is moving with a general trend that is away from the databased research studies towards more theory-based research and rigorous interpretations of results. Although they are trying to increase the variety of topics, they are still maintaining a behavioral science approach to communications. Gallois also welcomes the expansion of methods on research and is a firm believer in the idea that a good researcher is one that is capable of choosing the approach and methodology that best fit the research question. It is also her belief that HCR will develop more of an international flavor because the present volume marks the first time it has been edited by a non-U.S. resident. This will allow for a greater recognition of the active communication research studies being done in many countries.

Upon review of articles in HCR, I found quite few having similar topics. These included: Communication in the workplace, persuasion, deception, and communication support systems. These topics all deal with important aspects of human communication and are consistent with what is trying to be achieved by HCR. The intent of this journal is to improve human communication in areas that it would be widely useful consistent with the changing world. By researching different perspectives of issues, HCR hopes to get a better understanding of what the obstacles have previously been in order to try and improve communication relationships. An outline of some of the main topics of research in this volume should lead to a better understanding of their intent.

There were two main focuses with respect to communication in the workplace. First, research on co-worker communication when there is perceived differential treatment (superior-subordinate) and the maintenance of superior-subordinate (S-s) relationships in the work environment. Differences in these studies compared with previously related studies were highlighted to show the new direction and perspective of this research. For example, one study was concerned with the impact of the S-s relationship on transferees. This was relevant because on average over 400,000 people a year are involved in a work transfer (in the U.S.) Another article covering the presence of differential S-s treatment was designed to show a linkage between vertical and horizontal dyadic relationships within an organization. Co-worker co-operation and communication is as important as S-s communication in the workplace yet this relationship had been studied prior to this article. The study provides evidence to conclude the S-s relationship affects those outside that dyad, particularly other members within the work group, even when differential treatment is only perceived .1 Thus, this research offered insight into fairness in organizations and how perceptions of this affect coworker relations. Another study was interested in strategic situations where one or both parties of the S-s relationship were conscious of impending difficulties and therefore took steps to maintain the relationship.

The second main focus pertinent to workplace communication is the use of computer-assisted group decision making and video-conferencing. The work on group decision support systems (GDSS) is key because of technologically induced changes in communications within organizations. This study was designed to show that GDSS s aided in the structuring, organization, and participation in decision-making and that decision paths that most resembled logical normative sequences had superior outcomes to those that did not .2 Video-conferencing (becoming increasingly popular for economic reasons) was examined in one study to clarify its effectiveness with regards to performance efficiency. This was compared with face to face interaction. The only shortcoming found was that less positive impressions of others were formed in the video-conferencing situation.3 In light of these advances in electronic technologies, another study was designed to be a formal model for the examination of communication support systems in the context organizational communication. The model was designed to account for communication phenomena in companies that va