Prolific Research in Communication Studies: Retrospective and Prospective Views

Abstract

This study investigated research productivity in communication studies during the period of 2002 to 2006. The study found that 31 individuals had nine or more articles published in those five years. By creating a cumulative list, the study found that 63 active researchers had at least 25 articles published during their careers. The cumulative list was compared with the original list of productive scholars, published in 1989. Only 8 individuals were on both lists. This study found trends related to “changing of the guard,” indicating that some programs remained productive, and other new programs developed.

Keywords:

• Journals
• Productivity
• Research
• Scholarship

Notes

Note. ∗=listed in the top 25 in a 1985 survey. “Inactives”: Knower (64), Miller, G. R. (60), Crocker (54), Pfau (51), Barker (49), Braden (48), Burgoon, M. (46), Clevenger (45), Pearce, W. B. (41), Chaffee (40), Phillips, G. (39), Oliver (36), Auer (35), Hopper (34), Perse (34), Gudykunst (33), Riffe (33), Thompson, W. (33), Gillespie (32), Dow, C. (30), Black, J. (29), Cantor (29), Delia (29), Smith, C. R. (29), Ehninger (28), Motley (28), Andrews, J. (27), Cody, M. (27), Fisher, W. (27), Gray, G. W. (27), Greene, J. O. (27), Ostman (27), Reeves, B. (27), Rogers, E. (27) Ryan, M. (27), Williams, F. (27), McBath (26), Arnold, W. (25), Bowers, J. W. (25), Foss, S. (25), Gerbner (25), Golden (25), Gordon, W. (25), Salwen (25), and Stemple (25).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mark Hickson

Mark Hickson, III (PhD, Southern Illinois University, 1971) is a professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

William R. Self

William R. Self (PhD, University of Alabama, 1996) is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Justin R. Johnston

Justin R. Johnston (MA, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009) is a doctoral student at West Virginia University.

Cynthia Peacock

Cynthia Peacock (MA, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009) is a doctoral student at the University of Texas.

Jean Bodon

Jean Bodon (PhD, Florida State University, 1985) is a professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.