In the conceptualization stage of research, there are 5 areas researchers must be concerned with. Be able to give an example of how these might play out in a specific area of research. Know and briefly explain 2 key areas for research in mass communication, cultural communication, organizational communication, political communication, and group or interpersonal communication.
Scholarly research is question oriented.
Researchers try to ask key questions, question what the key factors are operating in a particular situation or circumstance, question their own assumptions, focus on the open or unanswered questions, and question each other's work. The better we apply our methods, the more we can trust the results. New questions are always being sought, or new ways to answer old questions. Methods are creative, because each study answers unique questions and poses unique problems to be solved. When replicated, the reseach project should get the same results again.