Robert D. McPhee

Group decision‐making as a structurational process

This essay presents a theory of group decision‐making. Utilizing recent advances in structuration theory, which focuses on the production and reproduction of social systems through the application of generative rules and resources, the new conceptualization is presented and its advantages over previous formulations are explored. Results from an ongoing research program are summarized as partial substantiation of the perspective.

Causal modeling in communication research: Use, disuse, and misuse

The logic and procedures of causal modeling can help researchers avoid errors arising in more traditional analyses in a number of commonly occurring cases. A table of cases requiring causal modeling, or an equivalent technique, is presented. Nine years of published research in communication journals are reviewed to assess the adequacy of analysis in these situations. Standards for the conduct and reporting of causal modeling are also offered along with a review of their use in published causal modeling. These reviews indicate a number of areas demanding increased methodological rigor and sophistication in communication research.

Vertical communication chains: Toward an integrated approach

A three-part argument is made that vertical communication chains in organizations need more study. First, four fundamental questions about chained vertical communication are posited. Second, relevant literature in five sets is reviewed; the sets include superior-subordinate communication studies, role conflict studies, ethnographic case studies, studies of vertical serial transmission, and network analyses. In each set there are at least a few studies that indicate the importance of vertical chain effects on other interactional units of analysis, but the studies collectively give only fragmentary answers to the fundamental questions. Third, three alternative theoretical models of chained vertical communication—a homogeneous model, a multiple strata model, and a multiple clusters model—are explicated that make rival claims about the nature and importance of the vertical chain, claims that cannot be distinguished on the basis of the current empirical literature. The article ends with suggestions for an integrated approach to the study of vertical chains—integrated across methods and across study foci.

Rationale, Procedures, and Applications for Decomposition of Explained Variance in Multiple Regression Analyses:

Publication of studies utilizing multiple regression (MR) statistical techniques is on the rise in communication journals, but researchers have been remiss in reporting an important aspect of MR results: identification of the unique and non-unique (joint, incremental, or common) influences of independent variables on the dependent variable. This article explicates three methods of decomposing R2 and demonstrates, both by analogy and contrast to ANOVA, the importance of partitioning MR explained variance. Particular attention is paid to the relevance of variance decomposition techniques for explanation, prediction, and control in communication theory as well as the interpretive and the evaluative roles variance decomposition analyses should have in communication research. Finally, the specific steps entailed in performing each partitioning method are reviewed, and worked examples are supplied from the message/attitude/behavior research literature.

Donald Cushman: Larger Than Life.

In this article, a number of Don Cushmans former (but also current) students have set down some anecdotes and experiences which capture part of his superb spirit as a teacher.