The Illustrated Guide to the Content Analysis Research Project

Patricia Swann

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781138605121
• eBook ISBN: 9780429887222
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Public Relations
• Index: Business

The Illustrated Guide to the Content Analysis Research Project makes mass media research more accessible through an informal and humorous student-centered approach.

Author Patricia Swann provides a colorful, step-by-step guide to developing a typical mass media research project using the content analysis method. The fundamental elements of this research method are presented in plainspoken language perfect for undergraduates and new researchers, complete with engaging illustrations and an informal narrative that tackle students' most common sticking-points when learning and applying research methods.

Supplemented by online worksheets for further reflection, this book is an excellent companion to research-centered courses in mass media, communication studies, marketing, and public relations at the introductory level.

1
Getting Started

The Benefits

Maybe you’re thinking: Why do I have to do research? In addition to giving you valuable skills (for graduate study, if you’re headed in that direction), the ability to complete a simple academic research project is worthy of mention on your résumé—and maybe a job. Many students don’t realize that research project experience is a significant accomplishment and can be used to promote your future endeavors. Here are the benefits of learning research basics:

• Résumé Builder—Your research paper should be on your résumé along with other academic accomplishments. A research project tells a potential employer that you’re capable of a high level of critical thinking and that your decision making is data driven.

  

  Research experience is a résumé builder.
  

• Résumé Skills—Your résumé should list all the research methods skills you have used in class assignments and your research project.
• Student Research Jobs—At every level of higher education, student jobs are available in research. There are research lab assistant positions, graduate assistant positions, and even research jobs in your college’s research office.
• Job Search Leverage—If allowed, select a research topic that relates to your career interests. You can use what you learn from your project in a job interview to show your level of interest and expertise in the field.
• Research Career—Some students find they have a knack for research once they try it. Many careers in industry and academia require research skills.
• Master’s Degree—If you are thinking about a master’s degree program, research experience will prepare you for the program’s research expectations.
• Ph.D. Degree—A Ph.D. dissertation is an in-depth research project and follows the steps outlined in this guide.
• Conference Presentations—Once you have completed a research project, you can present your research at academic or professional research conferences. Most conferences offer presentation space to students. If your college does not offer a student research conference, check with other nearby colleges and ask if they would allow you to present your research. These presentations are résumé worthy.

  

  Yes! You could be behind that podium as a conference presenter.
  

• Publication Opportunities—Academic journals and professional publications may accept student research projects, especially those supervised by a faculty member. Websites, blogs, and some media outlets publish student research. Your research paper may need to be reformatted and revised to meet their readers’ needs.
• Consumer Understanding—Whether or not you do anything else with academic research after this project is completed, you’ll find research is everywhere. For example, research often forms the basis for news media reports on health and other subjects, so understanding how research is conducted can help you judge and understand the findings.

Developing a Research Mindset

Research can produce fun and fascinating reading, listening, and viewing. Really! One of the best ways to get comfortable with what’s happening in research is to use the popular news media and other legitimate content creators to learn about research. Good science reporting will lay out the basics of the data design, data collection, and include a study’s limitations or weaknesses.

It’s helpful to develop a research mindset.

Here are some easy ways to start learning about basic terminology and research designs.

Campus Research Presentations—On your campus, faculty members and many students are engaged in research. Look for research presentations and attend them—it’s a great way to see how academic research was conducted and is presented.

Google News—Set up a Google News alert with search terms like “content analysis study” or just search Google News for content analysis studies.

News Media With Dedicated Science Coverage—The following national news outlets have dedicated coverage of science news. Their stories contain basic research terms and explain how the research was designed:

• The New York Times
• The Wall Street Journal
• The Guardian
• National Public Radio—www.npr.org/sections/research-news/
• National Geographic—www.nationalgeographic.com/science/

Science Websites—Here’s a selection of websites that offer articles, written in easy-to-understand language, about new research and research tips:

Science madcap.

• Science Daily—www.ScienceDaily.com
• Futurity—www.futurity.org/
• The Conversation—https://TheConversation.com
• Science X—https://sciencex.com
• Live Science—www.livescience.com
• Nature—www.nature.com/
• PNAS (Proceedings from the National Academy of Sciences)—www.pnas.org
• Scientific American—www.scientificamerican.com/
• Wired—www.wired.com/category/science/

Science Podcasts—Don’t want to read a lot? No problem. There are great science-related podcasts that inform and entertain:

• Talk Nerdy—www.carasantamaria.com
• The Guardian Science Weekly—www.theguardian.com/science/series/science
• The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe—www.theskepticsguide.org/podcasts
• Nature Podcast—www.nature.com/nature/articles?type=nature-podcast
• The Naked Scientists—www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/naked-scientists-podcast
• Science VS—https://gimletmedia.com/shows/science-vs
• Hidden Brain—www.npr.org/series/423302056/hidden-brain
• Scientific American, 60-Second Science—www.scientificamerican.com/podcasts/
• Radiolab—www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab
• Science Friday—www.sciencefriday.com/

Science Blogs—Here are a few of the more popular science blogs:

• Everyday Research Methods Blog—www.everydayresearchmethods.com/

  

  Science podcasts, websites, blogs, and other news about research abound.
  

• The Guardian—www.theguardian.com/science/series/science-blog-network
• Scientific American—https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/

Science YouTube Videos

• Scientific American—www.youtube.com/user/SciAmerican/videos
• Kurzgesagt—In a Nutshell—www.youtube.com/user/Kurzgesagt/videos
• BBC Earth Lab—www.youtube.com/channel/UCdsOTr6SmDrxuWE7sJFrkhQ
• Physics Girl—www.youtube.com/user/physicswoman
• AsapSCIENCE—www.youtube.com/user/AsapSCIENCE
• Nerdologia (with English subtitles)—www.youtube.com/user/nerdologia/videos
• SmarterEveryDay—www.youtube.com/user/destinws2
• Veritasium—www.youtube.com/user/1veritasium/videos
• TheBrainScoop—www.youtube.com/user/thebrainscoop/videos
• Vsauce—www.youtube.com/user/Vsauce/videos
• Brain Craft—www.youtube.com/user/braincraftvideo/videos
• Two Minute Papers—www.youtube.com/user/keeroyz/videos
• Gross Science—www.youtube.com/user/grossscienceshow/featured
• A Capella Science—www.youtube.co...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication Page
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Introduction: What This Guide Offers
• CHAPTER ONE Getting Started
• CHAPTER TWO Understanding the Scientific Method
• CHAPTER THREE Finding Your Research Approach
• CHAPTER FOUR Ethical Considerations
• CHAPTER FIVE Picking Your Research Topic
• CHAPTER SIX Writing the Literature Review Section
• CHAPTER SEVEN Writing the Hypothesis and Research Question
• CHAPTER EIGHT Writing the Method Section
• CHAPTER NINE Writing the Results Section
• CHAPTER TEN Writing the Discussion and Conclusion Sections
• CHAPTER ELEVEN Writing the Abstract
• CHAPTER TWELVE Formatting, References, and Appendices
• CHAPTER THIRTEEN Sharing Your Research
• Appendix: Content Analysis Studies
• Index