Synopsis Mass communications research is defined here as primarily the scientific study of the mass communications behaviour of human beings, usually in current situations requiring the gathering of primary quantitative information. It also includes the study of the communicators, their media, and content of their messages. This definition of a specialized type of research, interdisciplinary in character and centres in the behavioural sciences area leaves out other highly important types of research in journalism and mass communi-cations: historical, literacy, biographical, legal, economic, international journalism discussed in this book.