Experimental Methodology in Journalism and Mass Communication Research

Experiments are a powerful method for understanding causal relationships in journalism and mass communication research. In this essay, the authors examine seven aspects of experimental quality that reviewers should include as criteria in their evaluations. They note that there are complex interrelationships among these indicators. In cases where aspects of the standards are controversial, the authors attempt to summarize the conflicting arguments. Where different methodological conclusions can be rationalized as appropriate, the authors' suggestion is that the researcher make clear what decisions were made in the experimental design and why, so that readers can evaluate those decisions.