Her research studies interpersonal influence and measurement – how messages effect receiver motivation, information-seeking and learning in such relationships as physician-patient, teacher-student, and supervisor-subordinate. She is also interested in the pedagogy of teaching research. She has organized interdisciplinary undergraduate research teams, two of which looked at communications training in the School of Business and Economics. Their case studies led to a transition of the school’s Writing Assistance Center into a Business Communication Center that assists students with both written and oral communication.