Introductions to the subject

5031 50 ways to understand communication: a guided tour of key ideas and theorists in communication, media, and culture

A.A. Berger Rowman & Littlefield, 2006, 144pp. $23.95. ISBN 9780742541085.

‘(F)amiliarizes readers with important concepts written by leading communication and cultural theorists … Berger's clear explanations and examples surround this assortment of influential writing, walking the uninitiated through these sometimes dense theoretical works. His selections and commentary will challenge readers to reconsider the role of communication in our culture. This engaging, accessible book is essential for students of communication and anyone interested in how we communicate in a world of rapidly changing media.’

5032 Canonic texts in media research: are there any? should there be? how about these?

E. Katz [et al.] Polity Press, 2003, 265pp. £15.99. ISBN 9780745629346.

Stimulating introductory volume which ‘offers thirteen pairs of shoulders to stand on, the better to see the field of media studies. It will serve as an excellent teaching text for advanced students in communications and media and cultural studies.’

5033 Communication research: asking questions, finding answers

J. Keyton 2nd edn, McGraw-Hill, 2006, 416pp. £33.99. ISBN 9780073049502.

‘This text covers basic research issues and both quantitative and qualitative approaches to communication research. The guiding principle of the text is that methodological choices arise from one's research questions and hypotheses; thus, the text focuses first on the research process and then discusses the methodological tools for understanding and conducting basic communication research projects.’

5034 Communication research: strategies and sources

R.B. Rubin, A.M. Rubin and L.J. Piele 6th edn, Thomson Wadsworth, 2005, 336pp. $58.95. ISBN 9780534564865.

Core US-based text providing 12 chapters organized into three parts: 1. Communication research strategies; 2. Communication research sources; 3. Communication research processes.

5035 The creation of the media: political origins of modern communications

P. Starr Basic Books, 2004, 484pp. $16.95. ISBN 9780465081943.

‘In this wide-ranging social history of American media, from the first printing press to the early days of radio, Paul Starr shows that the creation of modern communications was as much the result of political choices as of technological invention …’ ‘