Discuss the elements of the communication process and how they relate to a research report.
The root of the word “communication” in Latin is communicare, which means to share, or to make common (Weekley, 1967). Communication is defined as the process of understanding and sharing meaning (Pearson & Nelson, 2000). Effective communication leads to understanding. The communication process involves understanding, sharing, and meaning, and it consists of eight essential elements: source, message, channel, receiver, feedback, environment, context, and interference.
The communication process is a complex and dynamic process that involves the transmission of information from one person to another. The elements of the communication process include:
A research report is a form of communication that is used to share the results of research with others. The elements of the communication process are essential for ensuring that a research report is effective.
The Sender: The sender of a research report is the researcher who conducted the research. The researcher is responsible for ensuring that the message is clear, concise, and accurate. The researcher should also be aware of the audience for the research report and tailor the message accordingly.
The Message: The message of a research report is the information that is being conveyed to the audience. The message should be clear, concise, and accurate. The message should also be relevant to the audience and should be written in a way that the audience can understand.
The Channel: The channel is the medium through which the message is transmitted. The most common channel for research reports is the written word. However, research reports can also be communicated through oral presentations, videos, or other media.
The Receiver: The receiver of a research report is the person or people who are reading the report. The receiver is responsible for understanding the message and for interpreting the findings of the research. The receiver should also be aware of their own biases and should be able to critically evaluate the findings of the research.
Feedback: Feedback is the response of the receiver to the message. Feedback can be formal or informal. Formal feedback can be provided through a questionnaire or a survey. Informal feedback can be provided through comments or questions. Feedback is important for the researcher because it can help to improve the quality of the research report.
By understanding the elements of the communication process, researchers can ensure that their research reports are effective. By communicating the results of their research clearly, concisely, and accurately, researchers can make a significant contribution to the body of knowledge.
Here are some additional thoughts on the elements of the communication process and how they relate to a research report:
By understanding the elements of the communication process, researchers can ensure that their research reports are effective. By communicating the results of their research clearly, concisely, and accurately, researchers can make a significant contribution to the body of knowledge.