Final answer:
The idiographic approach to communication research focuses on individual cases and the use of language and symbols within society, employing qualitative methods to understand social interactions and meanings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idiographic approach to communication research emphasizes the study of individual or unique cases and phenomena. This approach is closely related to the symbolic interactionist perspective, which posits that individuals interact and communicate based on shared symbols and meanings within a society. As part of this perspective, researchers often use qualitative research methods such as in-depth interviews or participant observation to gain in-depth understanding of the symbolic worlds that individuals inhabit. In summary, an idiographic approach is concerned with how persons use language and symbols to construct reality, and as such, tends to focus on qualitative analysis of social interactions, cultural norms, and societal values.