Rather than a cosmetic revision, this version of Introduction to Communication Research features a complete updating of examples and revision of treatments of key concepts to maintain the timeliness of the book in the fast-changing world of communication studies research. Items new to this edition include:

• A new chapter on "Meta-analysis." In addition to covering the steps of this popular communication research tool, this method's uses, limitations, and guidelines for reasonable interpretations are provided.
• Expanded consideration of ethics in research. Each chapter contains a dedicated discussion of "A Matter of Ethics" ranging from discussions of confidentiality protection to bias in selecting research topics.
• A new feature on "People in the Field." All chapters include interviews with prominent researchers in and out of academic life, representing the field's diversity, and offering advice to students.
• Checklists to Evaluate Research. Chapter end with a check list students may use to evaluate critically specific methods and aspects of research. The criteria on the check lists summarize essential methodological treatments and help student learn how to make critical arguments about research.
• A timeline of research steps. Inside the cover, students see a "timeline" showing research of phases of experiments, descriptive empirical surveys, content analyses, historical/critical methods, and qualitative or ethnographic studies. The timeline not only helps students keep track of the "big picture" of research, but also emphasizes how research problem questions invite the use of different methods.
• A new dedicated chapter on "Content Analysis of Communication." In addition to standard applications of content analysis, this chapter also includes details of special applications to interaction, relational, and network analyses.
• Greatly enhanced presentation of qualitative research methods. Beyond providing a general survey, details and examples are provided on methods of ethnography, grounded theory, Hymes "Ethnography of Communication" model for qualitative research, qualitative interviews, and autoethnography.
• New discussions of cutting issues in communication inquiry. Responding to requests from instructors, new Special Discussions deal with such diverse issues as pseudo-science in communication research and the role of emerging meta-theoretic approaches including critical realism.
• Expanded discussion of textual analysis: New material explains elements of extrinsic analysis including methods to determine textual authenticity and authorship. Beyond rhetorical criticism, detailed applications are made to conversation analysis and discourse analysis tools.
• A new Appendix on "Using Modern Library Resources." Based on a previous chapter dealing with library research techniques, a new "stand-alone" handbook dealing with 21st century "library" research tools is featured. Based on their emphases, instructors may guide students through such materials or they may have students use the handbook independently of further instruction as they prepare their own class assignments.