CA 539 - Communicating in Families (UNH Manchester): Books

"The breadth of theories presented and collected in this text is an impressive accomplishment. The editors have done a great service to the field with this book." --Lynn H. Turner, Marquette University   "The chapters are very informative, useful, and accessible. There is a huge need to better ground family communication in theory, and this text will provide an important start for students and researchers."   --Douglas Kelley, Arizona State University To date, scholars from disciplines other than communication have dominated the study of family communication. Engaging Theories in Family Communication: Multiple Perspectives covers uncharted territory in its field, as it is the first book on the market to deal exclusively with family communication theory. In this volume, editors Dawn O. Braithwaite and Leslie A. Baxter bring together a group of contributors who represent a Who′s Who in the family communication field. These scholars examine both classic and cutting-edge theories to guide family communication research in the coming years.   Key Features: A clear overview of theory and three meta-theoretical discourses-- logical empirical, interpretive, and critical--to provide readers with a current landscape of family communication research Chapter-opening notes help students understand the paradigm into which a theory falls and the historical roots of each theory Foreword by renowned scholar Anita Vangelisti frames the current state of family communication and provides a unique perspective on theory-building in family communication   Engaging Theories in Family Communication is designed for students studying family communication in courses such as Family Communication, Personal Relationships, Communication Theory, Applied Communication, and Advanced Interpersonal Communication. It can also be used in a variety of Family Studies, Sociology, and Psychology courses focusing on family communication.

The Family Communication Sourcebook provides an in-depth examination of contemporary theory and research in the area of family communication. This unique collection offers a state-of-the art approach by pairing conceptual pieces with original studies in the same general topic area. Editors Lynn H. Turner and Richard West present readers with a thoughtful and thorough exploration of the critical issues facing family communication researchers today.   Key Features: Illustrates the breadth and depth of contemporary research: A combination of groundbreaking research and reviews of past research in family communication allows readers to gain thorough knowledge in various areas. This reflective review of family communication provides historical perspective and illustrates the development of the field. Uses a focused organizational pattern: Divided into four parts, the book comprehensively examines Defining and Interpreting the Family, Theoretical and Methodological Considerations, Internal Family Dynamics, and External Structural Frameworks. The first two chapters provide very different approaches to defining family, offering opportunities for active discussion of the limits of the definition of family. Extensively reviews theoretical and methodological approaches: The strength of this collection is in its comprehensive examination of family communication theory and research. In addition, a framework for doing research in family communication is provided.   This is the ultimate resource for scholars, students, and practitioners looking for cutting-edge family communication scholarship.

Narratives in Social Science Research introduces students to the use of narrative methodology as a research tool. It offers a rigorous framework for the application of these devices within qualitative research. The book provides: An historical overview of the development of the narrative approach within the social sciences A guide to how narrative methods can be applied in fieldwork An explanation of how to incorporate a narrative approach within a research project Guidelines for interpreting collected or produced narratives A student-focused approach - key arguments and methods are illustrated by case-studies and lists of further reading. Written in an accessible and engaging manner, this detailed text will be a useful resource for researchers and students taking courses in qualitative research across a variety of social disciplines.