Finding Birds of a Feather: Multiple Memberships and Diversity Without Divisiveness in Communication Research
Communication Theory, 22 (1):
1--24 (2012)DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2885.2011.01395.x
Abstract
Communication scholars have continually worked to resolve the well-attested fragmentation of the field. This article breaks away from the usual modes of parsing out research by disciplinary grounding, topic of investigation, or even school of thought, arguing that these older modes of mapping result in divisive academic speciation. Instead, the author proposes analyzing the similarities and differences in scholarship along three axes: methodology, ontology/epistemology, and axiology. This systemic mode produces a flexible and responsive way of viewing commonalities and tensions between scholars and approaches, suggesting productive combinations in which to flock together.