ABSTRACT
This unit defines many foundational concepts in communication research. One topic is a thorough description of variables, including the types typically measured in research and the importance of thinking about research in terms of the explication and valid measurement of variables. Another section addresses the concept of relationships, and defines several different types of relationships including positive and negative associations, causality, mediation and moderation. The unit also defines theory and explains the centrality of theory to research, along with the inductive and deductive reasoning processes involved in the creation of theory. The meaning and importance of falsifiability is discussed, along with the effective development and wording of research questions and hypotheses.
