What are the best internal communication research topics for you?

1 Goal-oriented topics

One way to choose a relevant and impactful research topic is to align it with your internal communication goals. For example, if your goal is to increase employee satisfaction, you might want to research how your communication affects employee well-being, motivation, and recognition. If your goal is to foster collaboration, you might want to research how your communication supports teamwork, knowledge sharing, and feedback. If your goal is to drive change, you might want to research how your communication influences employee attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes.

2 Audience-focused topics

Another way to choose a meaningful and useful research topic is to focus on your internal communication audience. For example, if you want to understand the needs and preferences of different segments of your employees, you might want to research how your communication varies by role, location, generation, or culture. If you want to engage and empower your employees, you might want to research how your communication encourages participation, involvement, and ownership. If you want to build trust and loyalty among your employees, you might want to research how your communication reflects your values, vision, and culture.

3 Resource-based topics

A third way to choose a feasible and realistic research topic is to consider your internal communication resources. For example, if you have limited time and budget, you might want to research how you can optimize your existing communication channels, tools, and processes. If you have access to data and analytics, you might want to research how you can measure and improve your communication performance, impact, and ROI. If you have opportunities to innovate and experiment, you might want to research how you can leverage new communication trends, technologies, and best practices.

4 How to conduct internal communication research

Once you have chosen a suitable research topic, you need to plan and execute your research project. This involves defining your research question, designing your research method, collecting and analyzing your data, and presenting and implementing your findings. Depending on the scope and complexity of your research topic, you might need to collaborate with other departments, stakeholders, or experts. You might also need to follow ethical and legal guidelines, such as obtaining consent, protecting privacy, and ensuring accuracy.

5 Benefits of internal communication research

Conducting internal communication research can bring numerous advantages to your organization, such as gaining insight into your internal communication strengths and weaknesses, identifying and resolving communication issues, enhancing your communication strategy and tactics, increasing effectiveness and efficiency, demonstrating your communication value and contribution, and improving your communication skills and competencies.

6 Next steps for internal communication research

If you are interested in conducting internal communication research, you can start by reviewing some of the existing literature and best practices on the topic. You can also consult with your colleagues, managers, or mentors to get their input and support. You can also look for external resources, such as online courses, webinars, books, or blogs, to learn more about internal communication research methods and tools. Finally, you can join some of the online communities and networks that connect internal communication researchers and practitioners, such as the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the Institute of Internal Communication (IoIC), or the Internal Communication Research Network (ICRN).

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?