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Investigates, using 24 scholarly journals, the typical rate of publishing among student researchers published in communication journals in 1994-1998. Presents a ranking of student researchers in terms of article research productivities. Notes what research journals most student researchers publish their work. Provides averages in both fractional points and frequency numbers of publications. (SR)

Investigates the productivity of communication programs by ranking doctoral institutions (1) globally, based on top award winning National Communication Association and International Communication Association conference papers, and (2) according to selected specialties in communication studies. Argues that these results can be used in conjunction with other data on research productivity of doctoral institutions to assess the programs of particular institutions. (SR)

The study investigated how two distinct perspectives apply to the role of gender in parents' memorials on The Compassionate Friends (TCF) electronic bulletin board; cyberspace as merely a mirror of societal gendered patterns of bereavement, and cyberspace as a medium or context in which societal gendered patterns of bereavement are neutralized. Data were evaluated to determine to what extent gender differences exist concerning instrumental versus intuitive styles of bereavement. Analytic categories used in assessing gender differences in parental bereavement style included the following: invoking spirituality, directing messages to the deceased, artistic expressions, and special powers accorded to the deceased. With some exceptions, the findings supported the perspective emphasizing the gender neutralizing aspects of cyberspace parental bereavement for the population studied.

Doctoral institutions were ranked (1) globally, and (2) according to selected specialties in communication studies based on a combination of NCA and ICA top convention paper awards from 1994 through 1998. In conjunction with other data on the research productivity of doctoral institutions in communication studies, students, faculty, and administrators are urged to utilize the results of this study to assess the programs of particular doctoral institutions. Not only can the schools listed here be compared to other schools not listed, but those listed can also be compared with each other either globally or in particular specialties. Keywords: research productivity, doctoral institutions, top convention paper awards

Several factors can affect and define the working relationship between academic department heads and faculty members. Faculty perception of trustworthiness in chairpersons can move the relationship towards positive goals. Conversely, detachment and selfishness in department leaders can adversely affect the relationship. Other affective factors, either positive or negative, are performance evaluations, recognition, support, professional interference, social interaction and communication.

A randomly assigned sample of 376 college students responded to a survey involving a between-subjects 2 × 3 experiment designed to assess the impact of age (older versus younger) and tattoo status (i.e., no tattoo, feminine tattoo, or masculine tattoo) on three dependent measures: credibility, attractiveness, and promiscuity. Older and younger women are perceived differently depending on tattoo status. Not wearing a tattoo may lead to a more favorable perception of older women than wearing one, but wearing a feminine tattoo may engender a more favorable impression of older women than having a masculine tattoo. But not having a tattoo may not be as helpful for the perception of younger women as it is for older women. Also, while younger women may be rewarded for gender role transgression with respect to tattoo status, this is not so for older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper re-visits Hall's foundational writing concerning Arabs and olfaction made in the book The Hidden Dimension. In light of an historical climate demanding a better understanding of the Arab world and the social biases uniquely associated with the sense of smell, this article seeks to rectify misconceptions promulgated in intercultural communication pedagogy. Hall's claims are contrasted with recent interview data. The implications of this research for (a) intercultural communication instructors, (b) olfaction and culture, (c) relationships between Americans and Arabs/Arab Americans, and (d) future research are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All convention papers sponsored by the Basic Course Division of the National Communication (NCA) from 2004 to 2008 were analyzed for author names and institutional affiliations. Institutional top convention paper productivity rankings were constructed both with and without the Carnegie Classification System. Individual top convention paper productivity rankings were also indentified. A strong positive connection was found between institutional top paper productivity and institutional regular paper productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All refereed convention papers sponsored by the Magazine Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) in the period 1999-2008 were content analyzed. Benchmarks for both institutional and individual magazine research productivity were established within the framework of the Carnegie Classification System. A gender gap regarding both top paper productivity and regular refereed paper productivity was determined. While female authors dominated top paper productivity, male authors commanded regular paper productivity. A strong correlation between institutional top paper productivity and institutional regular paper productivity was identified though a weak link between individual top paper productivity and individual regular paper productivity was also found. Implications of these findings were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communication is believed to hold a central role in recreating an individual's sense of meaning and well-being after a loss. Narrative theory in particular points to ways that people create meaning and connection with others. Literature on bereavement suggests that the formation of connections with others, or building community, comprises an important part of the healing process. For this study, the content of bulletin board postings commemorating deceased children was studied quantitatively and qualitatively. Data were examined to learn how contributors used the Web site to connect with others who shared experience of losing a child, engage in meaningful shared activities, and create community. Findings from the data analysis suggest that the Web site contributors are able to discuss topics that might be restricted in other communication scenes. The discussion of these topics allows them to serve as witnesses to truths learned as a result of the loss of a child and enables the participants to keep the memory of the child alive. By participating in this scene of meaning negotiation, we argue that the participants actively construct a counterplot to societal narrative expectations for bereavement that facilitates the creation of some positive meanings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated how two distinct perspectives apply to the role of gender in parents' memorials on The Compassionate Friends (TCF) electronic bulletin board; cyberspace as merely a mirror of societal gendered patterns of bereavement, and cyberspace as a medium or context in which societal gendered patterns of bereavement are neutralized. Data were evaluated to determine to what extent gender differences exist concerning instrumental versus intuitive styles of bereavement. Analytic categories used in assessing gender differences in parental bereavement style included the following: invoking spirituality, directing messages to the deceased, artistic expressions, and special powers accorded to the deceased. With some exceptions, the findings supported the perspective emphasizing the gender neutralizing aspects of cyberspace parental bereavement for the population studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to develop a yardstick for evaluating student research productivity based on the number of articles the students published in 24 journals in communication studies. While previous research has emphasized the importance of beginning to publish early in one's career, there is little empirical guidance regarding the standards of a good take off speed while one is still a student. Based on the averages provided in this study, students, their advisors, mentors and administrators who evaluate and hire students in academia can set and implement particular goals. Moreover, the article provides averages in both fractional points and frequency numbers of publications since different institutions may have different emphases.

A postmodernist perspective is suggested as more appropriate than a modernist perspective for purposes of examining cross-cultural communication between African societies and the United States. By assuming a single universal truth and an instrumentalist view of communication, a modernist perspective portrays this process ineffectively as a one-way process of positive influence with the United States as benefactor while African societies are beneficiaries. However, a postmodernist perspective assumes multiple truths or realities and a constitutive view of communication, permitting two major conclusions: (1) cross-cultural communication between African cultures and the United States may have mutual positive influence, and (2) U.S. society can benefit from the appropriation of even more aspects of African cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the development of non-governmental organizations (NGO) in the U.S. and its relief strategies in three East-African countries. Ability and willingness of NGO to assist the poor countries; Use of communication analysis to distinguish NGO in terms of their development and relief strategies; Types of NGO.

This study examined the communication experiences of a section of Ugandan immigrants during their acculturation process to the U.S. Kim's theory of communication cultural adaptation was applied to identify the communication challenges and strategies used in the acculturation process. Ten women and twelve men were interviewed for the study. Four themes emerged: language, superiority and discrimination, self-promotion and aggressiveness, and adaptation and cultural change. The findings indicated that Ugandans have pursued a strategy of cultural integration as opposed to marginalization, assimilation, or separation. The findings can be used to aid both the immigrants and members of the U.S. host culture to better prepare for intercultural communication involving the two cultures. Also, the research breaks the ground for future studies on a wider array of Ugandan and other African immigrant communities whose unique communication experiences during their acculturation in U.S. have been overlooked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]