1. Communication:
Channels, Models and
Barriers
Vasantha Raju N.
Librarian
Govt. First Grade College
Periyapatna
vasanthrz@gmail.com
MyLISA OPENS (Orientation Program for Enthusiasts of NET/SLET Exam)
in Library & Information Science
November 10, 2013
SBRR Mahajana First Grade College, Jayalakshmipuram, Mysore

2. Derivation of the Word Communication and What is
Communication?
English word ‘Communication’ is derived from
the Latin noun- ‘Communis’
and
Latin verb ‘Communicare’ means- ‘to make
common’

3. What is Communication?
Communication is “the imparting, conveying or
exchange of ideas and knowledge whether by
speech, writing or signs”.
- The Oxford English Dictionary
Communication is the “the transfer of thought and
message as contrasted with transportation of goods
and person”.
- The Columbia Encyclopedia of Communication

4. • In ordinary usage the verb “to communicate”
means
i) To exchange thoughts, feelings, information;
ii) To make known;
iii) To make common;
iv) To have a sympathetic relationship.
In the noun form “communication” refers to
i) The exchange of symbols, common message, information;
ii) The process of exchange between individual through a
common system of symbols;
iii) The art of expressing ideas and
iv) The science of transmitting information.
Source: http://www.netugc.com/communication

5. Elements of Communication
•
Elements of basic communication system:
•
Source: The source of communication is the sender who has a message to impart. The sender has
to decide how to communicate a message, which channel is to be selected for the message and
what type of strategies should be planned so that the message makes the desired response. The
sender provides verbal or non-verbal cues that can be received, interpreted and responded to by
the receiver.
•
Message: Message is a set of signs and symbols which are given by the source to create meanings
for the receiver. Simply put, message is the content which is shared between the participants in the
communication process. To make the message effective, the sender has to understand the nature
and profile of the receiver of the message, his/her needs and expectations and possible response to
the message. This is important in both face-to-face as well as mediated situations.
•
Channel: Channel is the medium used to communicate a message from the sender to receiver. The
channel could be spoken word, printed word, electronic media, or even non-verbal cues such as
signs, gestures, body language, facial expressions, etc. In modern communication parlance, the
word 'channel' mostly refers to mass communication media such as newspapers, radio, television,
telephone, computers, internet etc. The selection of an appropriate channel is crucial for the
success of communication.
•
Receiver: Communication cannot take place without a receiver for whom the message is meant.
We receive a message, interpret it and derive meaning from it.
Source: IGNOU Course Material for Journalism and Mass Communication

6. Communication Models
Models
Model Type
Main Components
of the Model
Lasswell Model (1948)
Linear
Who
Says What
In Which Channel
To Whom
With What Effect
Shannon and Weaver
Linear
Communication Model
(1949)
Source
Encoder
Channel
Decoder
Destination
Noise
Feedback
Charles Osgood and
others (1957)
Message
Decoder
Interpreter
Encoder
Message
Decoder
Linear
Also known as
Mathematical Theory of
Communication

7. Models
Type
Main components of the
model
Also known as
Bruce Westely and Malcolm
MacLean (1957)
Based on Newcomb (1953)
Non-Linear
Messages
Source (advocacy roles)
Gatekeepers (channels roles)
Receivers
(behavioral system roles)
Feedback
Newcomb models
(1953)
Linear
Source
Message
Channel
Receiver
S-M-C-R Model
Wilbur Schramm (1973)
Relational
Source
Encoder
Signal
Decoder
Receiver
D. Lawerence Kincaid (1979)
Convergence
Information
Uncertainly
Convergence
Mutual
Understanding
Mutual agreement
Collective action
Network of relationships
David Barlo (1960)
Source: Uma Nerula. (2006). Communication models. Atlantic : New Delhi.

8. Shannon-Weaver’s Model of Communication
Sender : The originator of message or the information source selects desire message.
Encoder : The transmitter which converts the message into signals.
Receiver : The destination of the message from sender.
Noise: The messages are transferred from encoder to decoder through channel. During this
process the messages may distracted or affected by physical noise like horn sounds, thunder and
crowd noise or encoded signals may distract in the channel during the transmission process
which affect the communication flow or the receiver may not receive the correct message.
Source: http://communicationtheory.org/shannon-and-weaver-model-of-communication/

9. Channels of Communication
• There are two types of channels of communication
Channels of Communication
Informal Channels
Formal Channels

10. Channels of Information Communication
Informal
Communicator
Conversation
Informal discussion
Correspondence
others
Recipients
Channels
Formal
Journal articles
Research reports
Books
Patents
Standards
A-V presentations
Others
Fig-1: Channels of Information Communication
Source: Prasher, P.G. (1987). Information and its communication. ILA Bulletin, 23(3) , 95-116.
Invisible College

11. Invisible College
• Invisible college concept came to the picture in 17th century in London
• Small group of researcher started to meet in various places to discuss the
experimental method of scientific inquiry propounded by Francis Bacon
• Robert Boyle of Royal Society, London, coined the term “invisible college”
• Informal channel (invisible college) is both oral as well as written (formal
channel-largely in written)
• Unfiltered, informal communications produced by communities of people
who share an interest in a common subject or discipline. E-mail, personal
conversations, conference papers, unpublished diaries, meeting minutes,
phone calls, newsletters, memoranda, and other sources that may not
pass through the usual publishing, broadcasting, and distribution
channels.
• Information sharing (dissemination) in informal channel is restricted to
small group.

12. Barriers in Communication
• R.G. Prasher has identified two types of barriers in
information communication
They are:
– Barriers of communication encountered by the communicator
– Barriers of communication encountered by the recipient in accessing
information

13. Communicator
Political factors
Employer’s policy
Language
Financial constraints
Recipient's attitude
Noise
Time-lag
Heavy cost of communication
channels
Others
Barriers
Barriers
Information communication Barriers encountered by the
communicator
Fig-1: Information communication Barriers encountered by the
communicator
Source: Prasher, P.G. (1987). Information and its communication. ILA Bulletin, 23(3) , 95-116.
Recipients

14. Size of Knowledge
Heavy inflow of Documents
Classified documents
Language
Political reasons
Non-availability of foreign
documents
Financial constraints
Technological know-how
Ignorance of user
others
Barriers
Communicator
Barriers
Information Communication Barriers Encountered by
Recipients
Recipients
Fig-2: Information Communication Barriers Encountered by Recipients
Source: Prasher, P.G. (1987). Information and its communication. ILA Bulletin, 23(3) , 95-116.