Abstract

MATHEMATICAL MODELING IN COMMUNICATION RESEARCH: AN OVERVIEW ROBERT D. McPHEE and MARSHAIL SCOTT POOLE University of Illinois The use of mathematical models is increasing in social science, and in human communication research in particular. In addition to classic works on mathematical sociology and psychology (e.g., Simon, l957a and Coleman, 1964), there are now a number of books explicitly designed to teach modeling techniques to social scientists (including Blalock 1969; Doreian, 1970; Stogdill, 1970; Beauchamp, 1970; Abell, 1971; Fararo, 1973; Leik & Meeker, 1975; Lave & March, 1975; Bender, 1978). While communication journals have been reticent in publishing mathematical mod­ els, several recent publications seem to indicate that a market has been recognized (Craig, 1977; Hunter, Levine & Sayers 1976; Danes, Hunter & Woelfel, 1978; Cappella, 1979, 1980a). In this review we will focus on the uses of modeling in communication research. We emphasize the functions and reasoning behind models and place somewhat less emphasis on formalisms per se and technical matters, for two reason. First, perhaps the principal reason for studying modeling is the power and utility of mathematical representation, but these are often not readily apparent to most nonmathematical readers. By placing modeling in the context of use,