Understanding applied communication inquiry: Researcher as organizational consultant

Abstract

This essay defines applied communication inquiry from the point of view of the researcher operating as an organizational consultant and describes what investigators face when planning and conducting such inquiry. Avidly disagreeing with academics who separate so‐called “pure or basic research” from “applied research,” I argue that falsely dichotomizing inquiry in this way is both inaccurate and misleading. All high quality communication inquiry must meet certain conceptual criteria and be based in good decisions regarding critical issues which can either mediate or inhibit an investigation within any one of a variety of research settings. I present a consultancy model that explicates those critical issues which are important to conducting successfully communication inquiry in the field. I conclude by discussing the pedagogical implications of my definition and model for redesigning antiquated curricula in the communication research process and methodology.