Empirical Intersections in Communication Research: Replication, Multiple Quantitative Methods, and Bridging the Quantitative-Qualitative Divide

Abstract

This article concerns ways research can be related: intersections between studies. By “studies,” we do not necessarily mean two publications—although they could be published separately—but two distinct empirical investigations into human communication (we do not use “empirical” as synonymous with “quantitative” analysis and interpretation of texts—observations in qualitative and critical research are also forms of empirical inquiry). We assume that understanding communication is enhanced when research is not conducted in isolation. We do not claim that isolated studies cannot contribute to the literature; but research that relates to other research—reinforcing, integrating, elaborating—can provide greater breadth and depth to our understanding. Furthermore, programmatic research, which systematically investigates an aspect of communication with a series of related studies conducted across contexts or with multiple methods, is particularly valuable in our efforts to understand communication. Programmatic research is not just efficient for scholars (every new study does not require a completely different literature review, theory, or method), but each study can reinforce the conclusions of other studies and may extend the scope of the theory to new contexts. Isolated or unique studies definitely have a place in the literature, but unrelated studies simply cannot provide the depth or breadth of understanding of communication possible with programmatic research.