Concept Explication

Concept explication is invaluable for media studies research because it provides media researchers with a framework through which they can universally define concepts. Without concept explication, researchers may use the same terms to describe badly or inconsistently defined ideas, which leads to confusion and a more difficult environment to build off the work of others. Media research particularly, because of the way jargon and terminology is regurgitated and redefined by a constant news cycle, can lead to disparate ideas about terminology that may have gotten picked up by newscasters.

Miller's Seven-Step Concept Explication Framework

Thankfully, Miller (2023) has built out a multistep concept explication framework that researchers can use to universally define important concepts in their research. Miller's process begins by collecting pre-existing data related to the concept, including other formal definitions, descriptions, measurements between sources and non-scholarly definitions. Then, Miller's model has a researcher map that data chronologically, by key terms and other thematic differentiations. The third step is to determine the scope of the concept by finding similar or related concepts, essentially defining the key concept by what it is not. This data allows the researcher to evaluate the state of the concept's definition across the board, from which they can then improve or create a new definition. Miller's model then has the researcher test the new definition on content before it is presentable.

Students working in Bizzell Memorial Library. Photo: Keaton Shaffer

Usefulness and Limitations of Miller's Model

Chaffee (1991), whose work is referenced by Sundar et al. (2024), laid the groundwork for concept explication, associating it with the phrase "meaning analysis" (Chaffee, 1991, p. 21). Miller's model creates an application for Chaffee's principles. Nah and Armstrong (2011) apply a similar concept explication and theory-construction process, drawing on McLeod and Pan (2004), to explicate structural pluralism, qualifying its dimensions and indicators.

Miller's model will aid my approach to the concept explication paper by offering a valuable methodology (and a checklist, essentially) for the process. Miller's model is not unlike what concept explication is useful for in the first place: providing a concrete, universal definition and workflow for a complicated premise.

Suggestions for Future Researchers

My advice for future researchers intending to undertake concept explication would be to follow a similar pathway that was laid out by the mentioned readings. Starting with understanding Chaffee's concepts will lead to deeper understanding with Sundar et al.'s work. Then, I would pivot to Miller and use that model to actually complete the explication.

References