Concludes that the only significant factors explaining the amount of political news published by the Arkansas daily press during the 1972 senatorial primary election campaign were the size of the daily news hole and the number of wire services a newspaper used. (GT)

Examines the reactions of various New Yorkers to a twenty-three day phone service blackout in that state. Results indicate that the blackout affected their feelings of connectedness with and control over their environment. (MH)

In the studies reported here, repetition of an orally presented story did help first grade children remember the information, but pictures were even more effective in facilitating recall of information. (Author)

Two self-study media presentations, booklet-tape and videotape recording (two formats) were evaluated in order to determine the relative cost-effectiveness of the presentations. The results indicated that the differences in mean scores did not justify the increased cost of videotape. (Author/BD)

Looks at postmodernism as a critical theory to offer insight into modern public relations practice--a critical view of the signs and symbols of a culture allow people to see the allocation of power and the dominant ideology. Uses the campaign developed by Hill and Knowlton for Citizens for a Free Kuwait as a case study. (PA)

Finds that double presentation of a radio story to children did not result in fewer novel ideas than did a single presentation, thus proving implausible the faulty-memory hypothesis that radio stories elicit more novel responses than television stories because they are less well remembered. Notes that radio stories elicited more novel responses in…

Identifies the major insights concerning contemporary communication and media practices associated with the postmodern condition and evaluates their contribution to critical media studies. Suggests that postmodern media studies are themselves a symptom of the very postmodern culture they seek to analyze. (RS)

Relates the history of the focus group as a research tool, explores its recent revival, and reappraises the method and its appropriateness for media and communications research. Argues that the focus group discussion should be regarded as a socially situated communication. Discusses the various relations this may bear toward different approaches…

Reviews the events, studies, and comments (from 1960 to the present) regarding the controversial question of who won the first 1960 televised debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon. Supports the view that, for television viewers, Kennedy was the winner, whereas radio listeners gave Nixon the edge. (SR)

Argues that the inclusion of viewer interpretation variables in experimental design and analysis procedures can greatly increase the methodology's ability to explain variance. Focuses attention on the between-group differences, while an analysis of how individual participants interpret the cues in the stimulus material focused attention on the…

Argues that consideration of the strength of ties between communicators can help reconcile disparate results on the impact of new media on social relations. Suggests that viewing results from the perspective of the strength and nature of the social network tie can help in the use of electronic and nonelectronic means of communication. (Contains…

Focus groups of 19 graduate social work students viewed two episodes of "The Golden Girls." Students had differing opinions on whether the program reinforced or challenged social stereotypes about older women. The need for positive media portrayals and for media literacy was identified. (Contains 46 references.) (SK)

Examines the pictorial coverage of African Americans in three major national magazines. Finds that African Americans increased visibility in photographs. Groups the photographs of African Americans into three time periods: (1) stereotyping (1937-52); (2) civil rights (1957-72); and (3) working within the system (1978-88). (RS)

Investigates the relationship between education and knowledge of energy issues. Finds some evidence of such a relationship, especially among the more educated readers of newspaper energy stories. Finds some tendency for an initial knowledge gap--the more educated seem to learn more than the less educated at first. Notes that the difference…

Examines the applicability of a typology of user motivations and its capacity to predict use of various magazine types. Finds that scores on environmental diversion, interaction, and surveillance scales are consistent with the choice of magazine. (RS)