Abstract
This article presents a historical analysis of publication productivity in communication studies between 1915 and 1985. Using the Index to Journals in Communication Studies Through 1985, the study identifies the top published authors in the field and examines patterns of scholarly output across seventy-one years. Results reveal that fewer than one percent of authors produced a disproportionately large share of publications, with the top group contributing nearly fourteen percent of all articles. The analysis highlights gender disparities, noting only a small number of women among the most prolific authors, while also documenting shifts in doctoral training institutions over time. The discussion considers how patterns of productivity relate to broader trends in professional achievement, program quality, and disciplinary development. The article concludes that while quantity alone does not define scholarly excellence, long-term publication records provide valuable benchmarks for evaluating individuals, departments, and the field as a whole.
Recommended Citation
Burroughs, Nancy F.; Christophel, Diane; Ady, J. Cole; and McGreal, Elizabeth A.
(1989)
"Top Published Authors in Communication Studies 1915--1985,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 67, Article 5.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol67/iss1/5
