*Journal of Communication*

*Journal of Communication*
Title	Journal of Communication
Discipline	Communication studies
Editor	Ronald E. Rice
Publisher	Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Communication Association
Country	United States
History	1951–present
Frequency	Quarterly
Impact	4.333
Impact-year	2022
ISSN	0021-9916
EISSN	1460-2466
Website	https://academic.oup.com/joc
OCLC	1750545

*Journal of Communication* is a premier peer-reviewed academic periodical dedicated to the field of communication scholarship. Published by Oxford University Press for the International Communication Association, it features high-impact research across the breadth of the discipline. The publication is recognized for its rigorous methodological standards and its role in shaping theoretical debates within media studies, political communication, and interpersonal communication.

History and background

The publication was established in 1951, emerging during a period of significant growth for the field of communication studies in the United States. It was originally associated with the National Society for the Study of Communication, which later evolved into the International Communication Association. Early volumes featured work by foundational scholars like Wilbur Schramm, who helped define the scope of mass communication research. Over the decades, it has chronicled major paradigm shifts, from the dominance of effects research to the rise of cultural studies and critical theory, often publishing pivotal debates between figures like Elihu Katz and scholars from the Frankfurt School.

Scope and editorial focus

The periodical encompasses a wide array of sub-disciplines, including but not limited to health communication, organizational communication, and digital media research. It prioritizes articles that advance theoretical understanding and employ sophisticated quantitative or qualitative methodologies, such as those rooted in social network analysis or discourse analysis. A key focus is on cross-disciplinary work that bridges communication with fields like political science, sociology, and psychology. It regularly features meta-analyses and essays on the state of the field, aiming to synthesize research on topics from public opinion to global media systems.

Abstracting and indexing

The journal is comprehensively covered in major academic databases, ensuring its wide dissemination among scholars. It is indexed in services including the Social Sciences Citation Index, Scopus, and PsycINFO. Its articles are also accessible through platforms like EBSCOhost, ProQuest, and JSTOR, which are staples of university libraries from Harvard University to the University of Tokyo. This extensive indexing contributes to its high visibility in literature searches and its frequent citation in related fields such as journalism studies and public relations.

Impact and reception

Consistently ranked among the top journals in its field, it boasts a high impact factor as reported by Clarivate's Journal Citation Reports. It is regarded as a must-publish venue for leading academics at institutions like the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication and the University of Southern California. The research it publishes frequently influences policy debates, media industry practices, and textbook canon, with studies often covered by outlets like The New York Times and BBC News. Its reputation for scholarly excellence is recognized by organizations such as the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Editors and editorial board

The editorial leadership has included many prominent figures in communication scholarship. The founding editor was Frederick Williams, and subsequent editors have included James W. Carey and Michael Schudson. The current editor-in-chief is Ronald E. Rice of the University of California, Santa Barbara. The editorial board comprises an international cohort of esteemed researchers from universities like London School of Economics, Nanyang Technological University, and the University of Amsterdam, ensuring a global perspective on submitted work.

Notable articles and special issues

Throughout its history, the journal has published landmark studies that have become standard citations. These include works on the spiral of silence theory by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann and seminal pieces on agenda-setting theory by Maxwell McCombs and Donald Shaw. It has also curated influential special issues on emergent topics, such as the role of social media in the Arab Spring, the challenges of misinformation in the era of Facebook, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence for communication. These collections often feature contributions from renowned scholars like Manuel Castells and Sonia Livingstone.

Category:Communication journals Category:Oxford University Press academic journals Category:English-language journals Category:Publications established in 1951 Category:Quarterly journals