The focus of the contributions to this journal issue is communication theory and research. Following an introductory article that deals with the need for quality control in the criticism of communication research, eight articles offer discussions of the following topics: the nature of criticism in rhetorical and communicative studies, some issues in evaluating the social significance of communication research, a critical celebration of criticism of communication theory and research, fundamental issues in the criticism of communication theory and research, suggestions for the design of empirical communication studies, the impact of value and self-esteem messages in persuasion, the effects of substantive and affective verbal conflict on the quality of decisions of small problem-solving groups, and a communication perspective on deviation. Two additional articles offer a commentary on Ronald Reagan's attempt to build a national majority in his 1976 campaign for the presidency of the United States and a discussion of political reality and rhetorical criticism. (FL)