The new senior editor Cindy Gallois, in her editorial best describes the general direction and intent of HCR. One of the main goals is to encourage diversity so that HCR will have something of interest for every reader

There were two main focuses with respect to communication in the workplace. First, research on co-worker communication when there is perceived differential treatment (superior-subordinate) and the maintenance of superior-subordinate (S-s) relationships in the work environment. Differences in these studies compared with previously related studies were highlighted to show the new direction and perspective of this research. For example, one study was concerned with the impact of the S-s relationship on transferees. This was relevant because on average over 400,000 people a year are involved in a work transfer (in the U.S.) Another article covering the presence of differential S-s treatment was designed to show a linkage between vertical and horizontal dyadic relationships within an organization. Co-worker co-operation and communication is as important as S-s communication in the workplace yet this relationship had been studied prior to this article. The study provides evidence to conclude "the S-s relationship affects those outside that dyad, particularly other members within the work group, even when differential treatment is only perceived".1 Thus, this research offered insight into fairness in organizations and how perceptions of this affect coworker relations. Another study was interested in "strategic" situations where one or both parties of the S-s relationship were conscious of impending difficulties and therefore took steps to maintain the relationship.

Other articles of interest included the effects of pornography on aggressive behavior, predicting television extreme viewers and non-viewers, the "cultivation effect" (biasing of social reality perceptions on viewers), attachment styles and reactions to nonverbal involvement, and the role of language in interpersonal and inter-group settings. Many of these are likely part of the general interest factor that the editors of HCR proposed in the editorial.

There appears to be flexibility in the methodological approach taken by HCR. This is evident by the large proportion of articles containing new research areas or different direction. The inclusion of critical analysis and even a rejoinder (in the same issue) makes a statement about their openness to debate. Emphasis on theory-based articles may lead to different, untapped, areas of research, which should increase understanding potential. Many of the studies were multivariate (some with six hypotheses) which shows the broadness of research area. Most studies also had a large sample sizes indicating HCR's desire to be more representative of society as a whole and the findings more generalizable. Their approach is similar to McLuhan's (reference to course kit) in a few ways.12 The challenging of the BAE which had been widely accepted for ten years may be an indication of their willingness to discard research that is not leading them in the right direction. Accepting studies such as the Formal Model for the study of CSS's means that they are aware of the changing situations brought on by technology and are adapting to these with new approaches.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Cindy Gallois, Impact Rating11, I-C Communication, Explanation BAE, June Summer, Overall Volume, Theory IDT, Hopefully HCR's, Formal Model, Index AHCI, research studies, human communications, communications research, communication styles, human communications research, communication workplace, human communication, s-s relationship, support systems, international research, containing international research, methodological approach, model study css's, communication support systems, persuasion deception communication,
Approximate Word count = 2122
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)