This study initially reports on qualitative interviews (n = 17) with scientists at two Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites in the northeastern United States. These interviews suggest the need for greater attention to the role of communication professionals and institutional leadership in fostering high-quality public engagement. The study…

Many people influence us throughout our lives, and sometimes we are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to reflect upon the influence. Often, this is more challenging than it sounds, as some people become a part of our DNA, inextricably linked to who we are, what we believe, and how we work. Such is the case of the influence of Robert (Bob)…

When conducting research on sensitive topics, it is challenging to use new methods of data collection given the apprehensions of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). This is especially worrying because sensitive topics of research often require novel approaches. In this article a brief personal history of navigating the IRB process for conducting…

Explains that Type I error is a risk undertaken whenever significance tests are conducted, and the chances of committing a Type I error increase as the number of significance tests increases. Notes that adjusting the alpha level because of the number of tests conducted in a given study has no principled basis, commits one to absurd beliefs and…

Tries to distinguish the key insights from some distortions by clarifying the goals of experiment-wise error control that D. O'Keefe correctly identifies as vague and open to misuse. Concludes that a better understanding of the goal of experiment-wise error correction erases many of these "absurdities," but the clarifications necessary…

Responds to Daniel O'Keefe's "Against Familywise Alpha Adjustment," where O'Keefe maintains that one should never attempt to control Type I error introduced when many statistical tests are conducted. Argues that alpha adjustment should be applied only in the narrowly circumscribed instance when the researcher wants to make a strong claim…

Responds to other articles in this colloquy. Notes that they propose that alpha adjustment can appropriately be mandated when the set of tests concerns the key claims of a single theory. Considers how consistent application of this reasoning commits one to bizarre beliefs and research practices--which suggests that this reasoning does not provide…

Examines whether delayed judgments of observed behaviors are more biased than immediate judgments. Finds that delayed judgments more closely approximate implicit theories of communicative competence. (SR)

Presents a review and meta-analytic summary of existing studies of metaphor's persuasive effects. Indicates that metaphor appears to exert a small effect on perceptions of source dynamism, but shows no demonstrable impact on competence or character. Concludes that the superior organization explanation of metaphor's persuasive impact was most…

Makes a case for attending to developments in the study of attitude. Considers how the attitude construct has been conceptualized. Examines contemporary thinking about attitudes and draws out implications of that thinking for the study of persuasion. (RS)

Subjective comments from veteran news reporters, media critics, and the public give the impression that bad or negative news is becoming a major problem in this country. This impression raises major questions concerning how much is really known about bad news, including whether the media present an accurate or distorted picture of reality in…

Reviews the general nature of ethos or image as it pertains to the physician. Discusses its rhetorical constituent elements of trustworthiness, expertness, goodwill and charisma that give these concepts such a vital role in effective public relations. (SR)

Argues that value-expressive attitudes and social-adjustive attitudes are based in a person's values. Indicates formation of these attitudes among the undergraduate student subjects depended more on the match between the value-content of the persuasive messages and the extent to which the message recipients hold those values than their level of…

Supports the hypothesis that initial interaction has a greater positive influence on attraction to dissimilar strangers, than to similar strangers. Does not support the hypotheses that initial interaction has a positive influence regardless of attitude similarity or that attitude similarity is more attractive than dissimilarity regardless of level…

Discusses the probative potential of evidence in argument, and evaluates the importance of evidence in predicting belief change. Predicts adherence to argument claims and confirms the traditionally recognized importance of evidence to persuasion. (JMF)