A Qualitative Exploration of Oral Communication Apprehension

Abstract

Prior research has identified communication apprehension (CA), or fear of communicating, as a major factor which inhibits an individual's willingness to communicate and his/her capability to develop effective communication skills. While many prior studies have measured oral communication apprehension of students, there has been little qualitative exploration of the phenomenon. This study was conducted by interviewing first-year business and accounting students at a higher education institution in Ireland who were identified as encountering varying levels of oral communication apprehension. The experiences of the students in communicating in different contexts are analysed and the impact of factors, such as fear of peer evaluation, prior communication experiences, and preparation, are considered.

Keywords:

• Communication apprehension
• qualitative research approach
• business and accounting students

Notes

Approval for the conduct of the study was granted by the appropriate body within the institution.

The study was conducted in Ireland because it is where the researchers are based and where they can arrange data collection. While the study is exploratory in nature and is not seeking generalisable findings per se, the researchers contend that there is nothing particularly unique in terms of the setting of this study (i.e. type of degree programmes, institution, or wider higher education context). In other words, it is plausible that the findings reported in this study may have resonance with students in other settings. For further information on the educational system in Ireland, see White (2001) and Byrne and Flood (2003).

In selecting the sample for this exploratory, qualitative study, the principal concern was to seek the participation of students who experienced various levels of OCA. Thus, the sample was not chosen to be representative of the population in the quantitative study. Full details of the population in the quantitative study are provided in Byrne, Flood and Shanahan (2009).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marann Byrne

This paper was edited and accepted by Richard M. S. Wilson.

Barbara Flood

This paper was edited and accepted by Richard M. S. Wilson.

Dan Shanahan

This paper was edited and accepted by Richard M. S. Wilson.