Each of the three sections of this book highlights a basic concept in communication research that needs more attention, and includes individual articles that review or apply new methods for the study of social communication. The first part deals with organizational analysis and field studies, and reminds its readers that mass communication is not produced in a vacuum. The second part emphasizes several conceptual issues inherent in decisions about data collection and modeling. The final section brings together conceptual and methodological issues concerning time as a variable. Each of the sections begins with an introductory essay by one of the book's editors, followed by articles describing possible applications in the field. (RL)