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10 Internal Communication Research Topics and Questions to Explore

Cristina Hure

 on 

in Internal Communications

The true importance of internal communication research is how to best uncover employee needs. Explore our top 10 internal communication research topics that promise to shape your 2025 IC strategy.

Executing a successful internal communication plan requires ongoing research to understand what truly resonates with employees. Communicators need to stay informed on workplace research topics to ensure their strategies remain relevant and impactful.

By exploring key internal communication research ideas, such as employee engagement, leadership communication, and DEI initiatives, internal communicators can strengthen their messaging and build trust across their organizations. 

Let’s get into the internal communications research and questions that will power your practice this year. 

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How Effective Internal Communication Impacts Business Performance

Effective internal communication influences business performance by fostering employee engagement, improving productivity, and driving organizational alignment. Internal communication research shows that clear, consistent messaging enhances employees’ understanding of company goals, boosts morale, and reduces turnover. It also promotes collaboration and strengthens trust in leadership.

For more information on IC’s benefits, visit our post, Why is Internal Communication Important

Importance of Continuous Internal Communication Research to All Organizations

By continuously refining their internal communication research strategy, organizations can foster a more engaged, informed, and productive workforce. Here’s why continuous internal communication research is essential for every organization:

  • Staying ahead of IC trends: Continuous internal communication research ensures organizations remain up to date on evolving communication strategies and employee expectations, which is critical in today’s dynamic work environment.
  • Understanding employee needs: Regular internal communication research studies help identify what employees need to stay informed, engaged, and productive, allowing organizations to tailor their communication methods effectively.
  • Improving communication strategies: Ongoing internal communication research methods uncover which communication channels, formats, and frequencies work best, ensuring internal messages reach employees efficiently.
  • Adapting to change: Organizations that engage in global internal communications research are better prepared to handle changes such as remote work, hybrid models, or technological advancements in communication tools.
  • Fostering continuous improvement: A strong internal communication research strategy ensures organizations aren’t stagnant, but instead are constantly evolving and refining their approach to employee engagement.

10 Internal Communication Research Topics and Trends All IC Pros Need to Research and Study

Staying informed about current internal communication research topics helps internal communicators remain effective in their roles. 

When we explore key areas such as employee engagement, leadership communication, and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), IC professionals can ensure their strategies align with best practices and evolving workplace needs. 

Below is a list of internal communication research topics and sample internal communication research questions to help guide your research efforts.

1. Research topic: Employee engagement

Employee engagement directly influences business outcomes such as profitability, customer satisfaction, and retention. Internal communication research helps identify how communication strategies impact engagement and morale.

Indicators signaling a need to explore this topic in more depth:

  • Low employee engagement scores in surveys.
  • High employee turnover rates.
  • Low participation in company events or initiatives.
  • Decreased productivity or morale.

Research questions to answer:

  • What is employee engagement
  • What internal communication channels are most effective for improving engagement?
  • How can internal communication foster a sense of belonging among employees?

Sources to consider:

How to test your understanding:

  • Develop a mock employee engagement survey. Analyze the questions to ensure they measure key engagement drivers.
  • Write a sample internal newsletter to improve engagement. Share it with peers or mentors for feedback on tone, relevance, and clarity.
  • Create a hypothetical engagement challenge scenario (e.g. high turnover). Outline a communication plan to address it and present it to a peer group for critique.

🎁 BONUS: Stuck on how to conduct an employee engagement survey? Our guide is here for you!

How much is low employee engagement costing you?

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2. Research topic: Organizational culture

Organizational culture sets the tone for how employees perceive their roles and responsibilities. Internal communication research ensures that communication strategies reflect and reinforce the company’s core values.

Indicators signaling a need to explore this topic in more depth:

  • Disconnect between employees and company values.
  • Inconsistent messaging across different departments.
  • Lack of alignment between leadership communication and company mission.

Research questions to answer:

  • How do internal communication strategies shape organizational culture?
  • What role does leadership play in promoting a positive culture through communication?
  • How can global internal communications research help ensure cultural consistency across diverse teams?

Sources to consider:

How to test your understanding:

  • Draft a communications guide that reflects your organization’s core values. Compare it against existing materials and identify gaps.
  • Create a list of key behaviors that reflect your organizational culture. Test your understanding by writing sample communications promoting those behaviors.
  • Conduct a role-playing exercise in which you explain the company’s culture to a new employee. Then, get feedback from peers on clarity and engagement.

3. Research topic: Change management communication

Change is a constant in any organization, and effective change management communication is critical for navigating transitions smoothly. Internal communication research methods help uncover the best ways to communicate during periods of change.

Indicators signaling a need to explore this topic in more depth:

  • Resistance to organizational change.
  • Confusion or misinformation among employees during transitions.
  • Decreased employee morale during restructuring.

Research questions to answer:

  • How can internal communication be used to reduce resistance to change?
  • What are the best practices for communicating organizational changes?
  • How can internal communication research help ensure a smooth transition during periods of change?

Sources to consider:

How to test your understanding:

  • Create a change communication timeline for a mock scenario. Ensure it includes key messages, delivery channels, and timing.
  • Write a sample FAQ document addressing common concerns during a change initiative. Test it by having colleagues review it for clarity and relevance.
  • Practice delivering a change communication message in a simulated meeting. Record yourself and review your tone, body language, and clarity.

🎁 BONUS: Read our article on collecting employee feedback for more insight into leveraging employee feedback in the workplace. 

4. Research topic: Crisis communication

Crisis communications are important for maintaining employee trust and organizational stability during unexpected events. A proactive internal communication research strategy ensures companies are prepared for any crisis.

Indicators signaling a need to explore this topic in more depth:

  • Lack of a formal crisis communication plan.
  • Employee confusion during previous crises.
  • Negative feedback about management’s handling of crises.

Research questions to answer:

  • What are the key components of an effective internal crisis communication plan?
  • How can internal communication reduce employee anxiety during crises?
  • How can global internal communications research help predict potential crisis scenarios?

Sources to consider:

How to test your understanding:

  • Draft a crisis communication plan for a hypothetical situation. Present it to a peer or manager for feedback.
  • Practice writing immediate, clear messages for different crisis scenarios (e.g., IT outage, leadership scandal).
  • Role-play a crisis communication press conference. Practice answering tough questions from employees to build confidence in handling difficult situations.

5. Research topic: Leadership Communication

Leadership communication directly impacts employee trust, engagement, and overall morale. Researching internal communication research ideas focused on leadership can help organizations improve transparency and accountability.

Indicators signaling a need to explore this topic in more depth:

  • Low trust in leadership.
  • Inconsistent messaging from leaders.
  • Lack of alignment between leadership and employee expectations.

Research questions to answer:

  • How can internal communication research studies improve leadership communication strategies?
  • What role does leadership play in shaping internal communication practices?
  • How can international communication studies help leaders communicate more effectively across global teams?

Sources to consider:

How to test your understanding:

  • Draft a leadership communication strategy using insights from internal communication research papers.
  • Role-play delivering leadership messages to employees, focusing on clarity, tone, and transparency.
  • Conduct a self-assessment of your leadership communication skills, identifying areas for improvement based on feedback.

7. Research topic: Remote work communication

The rise of hybrid and remote work has created unique internal communication challenges. Researching internal communication research topics related to remote work ensures messages reach all employees, regardless of location.

Indicators signaling a need to explore this topic in more depth:

  • Low engagement or morale among remote employees.
  • Inconsistent communication across remote and in-office teams.
  • Challenges in building a cohesive culture in hybrid environments.

Research questions to answer:

  • What are remote team communication challenges
  • How can internal comms address the challenges of asynchronous communication?
  • How can global internal communications research improve communication with remote teams?

Sources to consider:

How to test your understanding:

  1. Draft a remote work communication policy and compare it with existing practices.
  2. Role-play delivering key messages in virtual meetings to test clarity and engagement.
  3. Use a pulse survey to gather feedback from remote employees and adjust your strategy.

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8. Research topic: Internal social media platforms

Internal social media platforms are becoming a popular tool for improving engagement and collaboration. Researching their effectiveness through internal communication research studies can help determine their impact on communication.

Indicators signaling a need to explore this topic in more depth:

  • Low usage or engagement with internal social platforms.
  • Employees report a lack of collaboration across teams.
  • Confusion about the purpose or functionality of internal platforms.

Research questions to answer:

  • How can internal communications evaluate the effectiveness of internal social platforms?
  • What are the best practices for encouraging participation on internal social media?
  • How can internal communication studies inform the use of internal platforms in global companies?

Sources to consider:

How to test your understanding:

  • Create a content calendar for an internal social platform and track engagement metrics.
  • Conduct a focus group to gather feedback on internal social media usage.
  • Test your knowledge by developing a training guide for employees on how to use internal social platforms effectively.

9. Research topic: Communication channel effectiveness

Understanding the effectiveness of different communication channels is essential for delivering messages that resonate with employees. Internal communication research can help organizations refine their multi-channel strategies.

Indicators signaling a need to explore this topic in more depth:

  • Low open rates for internal emails.
  • Intranet usage has declined over time.
  • Employees reporting they miss important information.

Research questions to answer:

  • How can internal communications compare the effectiveness of different channels?
  • What are the most effective internal communication research methods for evaluating channel performance?
  • How can global internal communications research improve channel accessibility for all employees?

Sources to consider:

How to test your understanding:

  • Run a communication audit using internal communication research methods to evaluate channel performance.
  • Write sample messages tailored to different channels and test them with a focus group.
  • Develop a case study comparing the impact of various channels on a specific campaign.

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10. Research topic: Employee voice

Creating opportunities for employees to share their opinions and feedback is crucial for engagement and trust. Conducting internal communication research on employee voice can help organizations develop more inclusive communication strategies.

Indicators signaling a need to explore this topic in more depth:

  • Employees reporting they don’t feel heard or valued
  • Low participation in feedback initiatives (surveys, town halls, etc.)
  • High levels of disengagement or dissatisfaction

Research questions to answer:

  • How can internal communication research questions help uncover barriers to employee voice?
  • What internal communication research methods are most effective for gathering and acting on employee feedback?
  • How can global internal communications research address cultural differences in how employees express their opinions?

Sources to consider:

How to test your understanding:

  • Develop a feedback mechanism, such as an anonymous suggestion box, and analyze the results.
  • Practice presenting employee feedback to leadership in a way that drives action.
  • Facilitate a workshop on the importance of internal communication research for improving employee voice.

How to Use ContactMonkey in Your Internal Communications

ContactMonkey is a powerful internal communication platform that enables organizations to streamline employee communications, track engagement, and improve their overall communication strategy. 

Below are some practical ways to use ContactMonkey in your internal communications research methods to enhance employee engagement and more: 

  • Personalized employee newsletters: Use dynamic content through our email builder feature to target specific employee groups and improve engagement.
  • Real-time feedback collection: Gather pulse surveys, emoji reactions, and comments directly from employees through our employee feedback feature.
  • Email analytics tracking: Measure open rates, click-throughs, and engagement through our email analytics feature to refine your internal communication research methods.
  • Event management: Simplify RSVPs for internal events and track attendance within your communication platform.
  • Integration with existing email platforms: Send and track internal emails directly through our Outlook & Gmail integration feature.
  • A/B testing: Test different email formats and content to determine what resonates best with employees.
  • Mobile-friendly content: Ensure your internal communications are optimized for mobile devices for remote and deskless workers.
  • Employee segmentation: Create targeted communication lists based on roles, departments, or locations.


Ready to get started? Book a free demo with one of our specialists to learn more about how to enable your internal comms team (or just you, if you’re a team of one!) with advanced software. 

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