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The Empirical and the Critical Schools of Communication Research

The Empirical and the Critical Schools of Communication Research THE EMPIRICAL AND THE CRITICAL SCHOOLS OF COMMUNICATION RESEARCIF EVERETT M. ROGERS Stanford University The world of communication scholarship can be divided for certain purposes into two main schools, based on the nature of their ideology, assumptions, and methods of approaching communication research. These are commonly referred to as the "em­ pirical school'' and the ''critical school,'' although this terminology is somewhat of a gross oversimplification. While not everyone agrees on exactly what is meant by these terms, nor on who belongs to which school, I believe they may be useful distinctions. The empirical school of communication research is commonly characterized by quantitative empiri­ cism, functionalism, and positivism. In the past it has generally emphasized the study of the direct effects of communication, while paying less attention to the broader context in which such communication is embedded. In contrast, the essence of the critical school is its more philosophical emphasis, its focus on the broader social structural context of communication, its early Marxist orientation (although by no means are all critical scholars Marxists), and a central concern with the issue of who controls a communication system. Critical scholars believe that a theory of com­ munication is impossible without a http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Annals of the International Communication Association Taylor & Francis

The Empirical and the Critical Schools of Communication Research

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The Empirical and the Critical Schools of Communication Research

Abstract

THE EMPIRICAL AND THE CRITICAL SCHOOLS OF COMMUNICATION RESEARCIF EVERETT M. ROGERS Stanford University The world of communication scholarship can be divided for certain purposes into two main schools, based on the nature of their ideology, assumptions, and methods of approaching communication research. These are commonly referred to as the "em­ pirical school'' and the ''critical school,'' although this terminology is somewhat of a gross...
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Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Copyright
© 1981 International Communications Association
ISSN
2380-8977
eISSN
2380-8985
DOI
10.1080/23808985.1981.11923842
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

THE EMPIRICAL AND THE CRITICAL SCHOOLS OF COMMUNICATION RESEARCIF EVERETT M. ROGERS Stanford University The world of communication scholarship can be divided for certain purposes into two main schools, based on the nature of their ideology, assumptions, and methods of approaching communication research. These are commonly referred to as the "em­ pirical school'' and the ''critical school,'' although this terminology is somewhat of a gross oversimplification. While not everyone agrees on exactly what is meant by these terms, nor on who belongs to which school, I believe they may be useful distinctions. The empirical school of communication research is commonly characterized by quantitative empiri­ cism, functionalism, and positivism. In the past it has generally emphasized the study of the direct effects of communication, while paying less attention to the broader context in which such communication is embedded. In contrast, the essence of the critical school is its more philosophical emphasis, its focus on the broader social structural context of communication, its early Marxist orientation (although by no means are all critical scholars Marxists), and a central concern with the issue of who controls a communication system. Critical scholars believe that a theory of com­ munication is impossible without a

Journal

Annals of the International Communication Association – Taylor & Francis

Published: Dec 1, 1981

References

  • A social critique of radio music
  • Alien promises, objects, and methods in Latin American communication research
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