1989, the year that never ended: epistemology and methodology of the research in Political Communication in Brazil

Abstract

This paper examines a relevant part of the Brazilian scientific production in Political Communication in order to assess the epistemological and methodological advances and flaws that have featured this area of expertise. The argument is divided into four parts. In the first one, we discuss different theoretical questions, ranging from the imprecision in the definition of objects and categories of research to a persistent conceptual outdatedness. Next, the text focuses on some of the most common methodological options found in empirical studies present in the field, diagnosing the predominance of a descriptive emphasis. The third section reflects on the consequences of the burdens previously pointed out: for example, research findings that tend to overestimate media effects. We conclude our argument by addressing some suggestions that may help to solve part of the problems here outlined. KeywordsCommunication; epistemology; methodology; politics ResumoEste trabalho examina o perfil de parte relevante da produção científica da área de Comunicação e Política no Brasil a fim de elaborar um balanço acerca dos avanços e dos entraves epistemológicos e metodológicos comuns às abordagens investigativas mais recorrentes no país. O argumento está dividido em quatro partes. Na primeira delas, discutem-se problemas de fundo teórico, apontando-se desde a imprecisão na definição dos objetos até certa desatualização conceitual. Em seguida, a proposta se debruça sobre as falhas que caracterizam algumas das opções metodológicas mais empregadas em pesquisas da área. A terceira seção avalia as consequências dos estorvos anteriormente verificados, mencionando-se, por exemplo, a tendência a elaborar generalizações equivocadas sobre os efeitos políticos da mídia. O texto é encerrado com um tó-pico disposto a endereçar sugestões que podem colaborar na resolução de parte dos problemas aqui tratados. Palavras-chaveComunicação; epistemologia; metodologia; política IntroduçãoThis article aims to examine the profile of a relevant part of the Brazilian scientific production in Political Communication to develop a panorama of its main epistemological and methodological advances and barriers. The idea is to privilege the most recurrent

Discursos diplomáticos: objeto de pesquisa da Comunicação Política?1

“…Given the argument of this work, that the positioning of diplomatic discourses as object of research in Political Communication, it is possible both to observe convergences with this field of research and to fill the gaps observed in works reflecting on the state of the art of Political Communication (ALDÉ; CHAGAS; BASTOS DOS SANTOS, 2013, FRANÇA et al, 2018MIOLA, 2018).…”

“…The study of the construction and the dispute over narratives involving the manifestation of foreign policy permeates disciplines such as International Relations, Political Science, Linguistics, History, and Communication. Regarding the research stream that encompasses the intersections between Communication and Politics, different disciplines and methodologies articulate and promote exchanges between various fields of knowledge (MARQUES;MIOLA, 2018, PANKE;CERVI, 2011).…”