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Chapter 4 Quantitative Methods in Organizational Communication

  • Brian Manata and Jiawei Sophia Fu
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Organizational Communication Theory and Research
This chapter is in the book Organizational Communication Theory and Research

Abstract

As of late, the field of organizational communication has witnessed a steady rise in the use of quantitative methodologies. In this chapter, we acknowledge this rise by providing an overview of basic quantitative concepts (e.g., reliability, sampling, statistical power), discussing the use of common quantitative methods (e.g., survey methods, experiments, content analysis), and delineating two recent developments that we believe represent promising new frontiers in organizational communication scholarship. Specifically, we focus on the increased use of multilevel modeling (e.g., consensus models, hierarchical linear modeling) and computational methods, such as social network analysis, machine and deep learning, text mining and analytics, and agent-based modeling. Overall, our aim with this chapter is to demonstrate the value and diversity of quantitative approaches, both for the tyro and for the more experienced organizational communication scholar. We believe integrating quantitative methods with other methodologies (e.g., qualitative methods) will considerably enhance the rigor and vibrancy of organizational communication scholarship and theory.

Abstract

As of late, the field of organizational communication has witnessed a steady rise in the use of quantitative methodologies. In this chapter, we acknowledge this rise by providing an overview of basic quantitative concepts (e.g., reliability, sampling, statistical power), discussing the use of common quantitative methods (e.g., survey methods, experiments, content analysis), and delineating two recent developments that we believe represent promising new frontiers in organizational communication scholarship. Specifically, we focus on the increased use of multilevel modeling (e.g., consensus models, hierarchical linear modeling) and computational methods, such as social network analysis, machine and deep learning, text mining and analytics, and agent-based modeling. Overall, our aim with this chapter is to demonstrate the value and diversity of quantitative approaches, both for the tyro and for the more experienced organizational communication scholar. We believe integrating quantitative methods with other methodologies (e.g., qualitative methods) will considerably enhance the rigor and vibrancy of organizational communication scholarship and theory.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface to Handbooks of Communication Science Series V
  3. Contents IX
  4. Preface 1
  5. Section I: Theory and Methods
  6. Chapter 1 Systems Theory and Ecosystems of Organizational Communication 7
  7. Chapter 2 Emerging Trends and Topics in Research on the Communicative Constitution of Organizations 27
  8. Chapter 3 Can We Meet at the Alter? Doing Justice through Organizational Communication 45
  9. Chapter 4 Quantitative Methods in Organizational Communication 65
  10. Chapter 5 Qualitative Methods in Organizational Communication 85
  11. Section II: Processes
  12. Chapter 6 Organizational Communication Design 107
  13. Chapter 7 Leadership Communication 127
  14. Chapter 8 Organizational Entry Processes 149
  15. Chapter 9 Conflict and Negotiation 173
  16. Chapter 10 Diffusion 197
  17. Chapter 11 The Role of Social Identity in Organizational Communication Over Time 217
  18. Chapter 12 Coordination 239
  19. Chapter 13 Stakeholders and Organizational Change 259
  20. Chapter 14 Communication, Power, and Organizational Politics 277
  21. Chapter 15 Piecing Together Inclusion: A Critical Overview of Organizational Inclusion Research and Praxis 295
  22. Section III: Contexts
  23. Chapter 16 Supervisor-Employee Communication 317
  24. Chapter 17 Team Process 339
  25. Chapter 18 Networks 359
  26. Chapter 19 Organizational Structure 381
  27. Chapter 20 Generational Shifts: The Emergence of Visibility in Globalization Research 403
  28. Chapter 21 Types of Organizations 423
  29. Section IV: Technology
  30. Chapter 22 Artificial Intelligence and Organizational Communication 445
  31. Chapter 23 Social Media, Organizations, and Organizing 463
  32. Chapter 24 Distributed Collaboration 483
  33. Section V: Emerging Areas
  34. Chapter 25 Wellness in the Workplace 505
  35. Chapter 26 Organizing Social Change 525
  36. Chapter 27 Work and Life Communication 545
  37. Chapter 28 Military Exit and Reentry to Family, Society, and Work 565
  38. Chapter 29 Corporate Social Responsibility Communication 585
  39. Chapter 30 From Crisis Response to High Resilience Organizing 605
  40. Author Biographies 625
  41. Index 637
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110718508-005

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface to Handbooks of Communication Science Series V
  3. Contents IX
  4. Preface 1
  5. Section I: Theory and Methods
  6. Chapter 1 Systems Theory and Ecosystems of Organizational Communication 7
  7. Chapter 2 Emerging Trends and Topics in Research on the Communicative Constitution of Organizations 27
  8. Chapter 3 Can We Meet at the Alter? Doing Justice through Organizational Communication 45
  9. Chapter 4 Quantitative Methods in Organizational Communication 65
  10. Chapter 5 Qualitative Methods in Organizational Communication 85
  11. Section II: Processes
  12. Chapter 6 Organizational Communication Design 107
  13. Chapter 7 Leadership Communication 127
  14. Chapter 8 Organizational Entry Processes 149
  15. Chapter 9 Conflict and Negotiation 173
  16. Chapter 10 Diffusion 197
  17. Chapter 11 The Role of Social Identity in Organizational Communication Over Time 217
  18. Chapter 12 Coordination 239
  19. Chapter 13 Stakeholders and Organizational Change 259
  20. Chapter 14 Communication, Power, and Organizational Politics 277
  21. Chapter 15 Piecing Together Inclusion: A Critical Overview of Organizational Inclusion Research and Praxis 295
  22. Section III: Contexts
  23. Chapter 16 Supervisor-Employee Communication 317
  24. Chapter 17 Team Process 339
  25. Chapter 18 Networks 359
  26. Chapter 19 Organizational Structure 381
  27. Chapter 20 Generational Shifts: The Emergence of Visibility in Globalization Research 403
  28. Chapter 21 Types of Organizations 423
  29. Section IV: Technology
  30. Chapter 22 Artificial Intelligence and Organizational Communication 445
  31. Chapter 23 Social Media, Organizations, and Organizing 463
  32. Chapter 24 Distributed Collaboration 483
  33. Section V: Emerging Areas
  34. Chapter 25 Wellness in the Workplace 505
  35. Chapter 26 Organizing Social Change 525
  36. Chapter 27 Work and Life Communication 545
  37. Chapter 28 Military Exit and Reentry to Family, Society, and Work 565
  38. Chapter 29 Corporate Social Responsibility Communication 585
  39. Chapter 30 From Crisis Response to High Resilience Organizing 605
  40. Author Biographies 625
  41. Index 637
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