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Students in introductory classes in communication research methodology are told several basic concepts; science is cumulative; science is self-correcting; empirical controversies are resolvable; and science is creative and exciting. However, unless evidence in the form of empirical data is presented to support these assertions, most students fail to fully comprehend them. Introducing students to studies selected from closely related strains of research literature could enable them to understand such concepts within the field of communication research. Two areas of communication research provide Ltudies for such literature review: the "risky- shift" phenonomenon, perhaps best suited for undergraduate introductory courses, and the dissonance theory/self-perception controversy, probably more appropriate for a graduate course. (References in two additional areas--distraction and persuasion, and the two-step flow hypothesis--and general references are provided.) (JM