Analyzing Media Messages: Using Quantitative Content Analysis in Research

by Daniel Riffe, Stephen Lacy, Frederick Fico

Analyzing Media Messages provides a comprehensive and comprehensible guide to conducting content analysis research. It establishes a formal definition of quantitative content analysis; gives step-by-step instruction on designing a content analysis study; and explores in depth research questions that recur in content analysis, in such areas as measurement, sampling, reliability, data analysis, validity, and technology. This Second Edition maintains the concise, accessible approach of the first edition while offering an updated discussion and new examples. The goal of this resource is to make content analysis understandable, and to produce a useful guide for novice and experienced researchers alike.

Accompanied by detailed, practical examples of current and classic applications, this volume is appropriate for use as a primary text for content analysis coursework, or as a supplemental text in research methods courses. It is also an indispensable reference for researchers in mass communication fields, political science, and other social and behavioral sciences.

Genres: Academic, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Renjith R · Rating 4 out of 5]

ACADEMIC READING - RESEARCH

Some precise observations regarding the Content analysis method in Communication Research. I have enjoyed reading this book as most of the ideas established here accompanied by simple examples. Good book for academic reading.

[Michelle Boyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be an extremely informative text for those interested in using quantitative content analysis in their studies and potential research. As a methodology, content analysis is often mentioned but seldom is a young researcher provided with a clear definition of what "quantitative content analysis" is--and if you are able to get a definition, you're often not given insight on how to go about constructing this type of research. What minimal steps are needed? How can you, or should you, record your data? Are there different variables you need to be aware of? This text helps to start answering a lot of these questions.

I really appreciated the use of examples throughout the text. When the text discusses different types of modes, content, etc., they usually include a small example to help you understand how these concepts are used in different research applications. There are several charts, graphs, tables, etc., present throughout the book to give you visual examples.

If you're interested in quantitative content analysis, but you're not necessarily sure how to set up a study or what is needed in a study (kind of the stage I was at when I grabbed this book--I had an idea, but didn't know what to do with my idea next), then I recommend grabbing this book to help untangle some of the questions you might have.

Keep in mind: the chapter at the end about computers is about a decade outdated, but it still gives you an idea of how different computer programs could be used to collect data. While the software they discuss is outdated, the ideas aren't necessarily outdated.

[Jens Kuppers · Rating 2 out of 5]

not biased