Informed by theory and research on attributions and narrative persuasion, we compared the effectiveness of narrative and nonnarrative messages in changing attributions of responsibility for causes and solutions related to obesity in the United States. We randomly assigned 500 adults to view one of three messages (narrative, evidence, and a hybrid…

In this article, the authors seek to augment Dean Hewes's (1986, 1996) intriguing bracketing and admirable larger effort to "return to basic theorizing in the study of group communication" by making transparent the foundational, and debatable, assumptions that underlie those models. Although these assumptions are addressed indirectly by Hewes, the…

This article presents the authors' response to Hewes's (1986, 1996, 2009) models of communication effects on small group outcomes. As sophisticated and thoughtful as Hewes's new model is, however, the authors take issue with it. For one, there is reason to question whether his approach is feasible. For another, his models are not founded on solid…

This article presents the author's response to Professor Hewes's "The Influence of Communication Processes on Group Outcomes: Antithesis and Thesis." The author believes that Hewes could have been more helpful to the reader and to those who are apt to find inspiration in the steps he has taken in his essay to promote a "return to basic theorizing…

The purpose of the author's contribution to this colloquy was to spark conversation on the theoretical nature of communication processes and the evidentiary requirements for testing their relationship to group outcomes. Co-discussants have raised important issues concerning the philosophical basis of the socioegocentric model (SM) and dual-level…

Can perceived message effectiveness (PE) be considered a cause of actual effectiveness (AE)? If so, PE judgments can be used as valid indicators of the persuasiveness of messages in the preimplementation phase of campaigns. In addition, manipulating PE may be a viable persuasive strategy. But, if the reverse causal sequence obtains (AE[right…

Normalizes titles of 634 "Human Communication Research" articles using linguistic reduction, elimination of common words, and terms with indiscriminate meaning, and tokenization of phrases and compound concepts. Finds that concepts were grouped into five large clusters: media, family, conflict, and learning; culture, social organization, and self;…

Outlines the career and accomplishment of Gerald R. Miller, professor and researcher in the field of communication. Articulates the secondary goals of rhetoric and how Miller's career excelled at each of them. (HB)

Inquires into the appropriateness of current scientific methods for use by the emerging communication policy science. Considers changes in the communication field leading to a policy science and outlines some of the problems and possibilities in methods of inquiry. Suggests the development of uniquely appropriate methods for communication policy…

Argues against the laws-system-rules trichotomy which Cushman and Pearce use to organize theoretical options in the communication field, and offers in place of the laws-rule-systems trichotomy a multilevel analytic framework for organizing theoretical alternatives in communication. (Authors)

Proposes a taxonomy of replication designs and applies it to a representative sample of experimental communication research reports. Results of the analysis indicate that publishability and reporting practices hamper the ability to identify replication studies. Discusses implications of these findings and suggests ways to improve the situation.…

Discusses decisions that researchers must make in their application of factor analysis to data related to communication phenomena. Offers several suggestions to aid researchers in reaching appropriate decisions. (JMF)

Discusses replication factors for communication experiments. Gives research findings regarding the treatment of sampled replications as fixed effects. Considers objections to treating replications as random. Suggests the empowerment of studies through modest increases in the number of replications. (HB)

Tests the effects of relationship and politeness on perceived regard for face and advice effectiveness among undergraduate students. Finds that regard for positive face is associated with the perceived effectiveness, appropriateness, helpfulness, and sensitivity of advice given; however, the factors normally expected to account for perceived…

A disqualification is a message that says something "without really saying it"--one that is evasive, indirect, or effectively ambiguous in some other way. This article describes the rationale for, and development of, an objective method for measuring the degree of disqualification in brief written messages. (PD)