As a means to involve the public in research, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) established the Partners in Research Program and solicited research grant applications from academic/scientific institutions and community organizations that proposed to forge partnerships: (a) to study methods and strategies to engage and inform the public…

An emerging trend in health communication research advocates the need to foreground articulations of health by participants who are at the core of any health campaign. Scholarly work suggests that the culture-centered approach to health communication can provide a theoretical and practical framework to achieve this objective. The culture-centered…

Introduces a tool for rethinking the sources of the distinctions between "us" and "them." Considers two approaches to extending the reach of organizational communication research based on this framework. Hopes to move organizational communication concepts into more influential positions in the existing network of practice, and that doing so will…

Investigates whether local media contribute to individuals' involvement in a community. Finds that the "community integration hypothesis," which holds that they do, may have been overestimated. Suggests that some media contribute more than others, and the relative contribution of each medium depends upon the individual's stage of…

Extends the growing literature in the field of environmental communication that focuses upon citizen involvement in environmental decision-making. Suggests that there are substantive challenges that constrain citizens from having effects. Notes the importance of research that explores the nature of subsequent negotiations between citizens and…

Explores the community involvement process through a telephone survey of 400 adult Iowans. Indicates that keeping up with local news and getting together with other people are necessary to the process. Concludes that some people become involved because of their specific ideas for change, whereas others hope good ideas will result from involvement.…

Despite widespread indifference or resistence to the idea, communication scientists need to discuss the ethical implications of their research. Fortunate in being able to conduct research, scientists are responsible to and for the larger population in whose names they do their work. They need to realize that such traditional research areas and…