Prolific Scholarship in Communication Studies: Five Years in Review

The purpose of this study was to ascertain who the most prolific scholars (top one percent) in Communication Studies were as a function of their publication rates in 24 journals for the last five years. In addition, we sought to determine the most prolific scholars in a subset of journals considered to be most central to our discipline. Results indicated that 30 individuals could be considered prolific scholars for the years spanning 2007-2011 for the list of 24 journals, and six individuals could be considered prolific in the central journals. It took nine and eight articles within the five-year period to make each list, respectively. We also report the top 25 most prolific and active researchers since 1915. Results are discussed as they pertain to trends in the discipline.