Running Blindfolded? The Challenge of Atheoretical Studies in Communication Research

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session and Reception
  In Interactive Paper Session: Mass Communication Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

This study determined the extent to which authors of published mass communication journal articles used theories in their studies. For data, we content analyzed four top mass communication journals across three years (2010, 2011 and 2012). The results show that less than a quarter of the 453 articles examined, devoted a section or sub-section to theories, while over three quarters gave substantial details of the methods used in the research. This study concluded that the continued prevalence of atheoretical studies will forestall theory development in mass communication, and urged journal editors and conference papers organizers to adopt more stringent gatekeeping measures to encourage the use of theories in the articles they publish or papers accepted for conference proceedings.

Authors

• Uche Titus Onyebadi, Southern Illinois U

• Delwar Hossain, Southern Illinois U - Carbondale