- 140 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
The Illustrated Guide to the Content Analysis Research Project
About This Book
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.
Frequently asked questions
1
Getting Started
The Benefits
- RĂ©sumĂ© BuilderâYour research paper should be on your rĂ©sumĂ© along with other academic accomplishments. A research project tells a potential employer that youâre capable of a high level of critical thinking and that your decision making is data driven.
- RĂ©sumĂ© SkillsâYour rĂ©sumĂ© should list all the research methods skills you have used in class assignments and your research project.
- Student Research JobsâAt 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 collegeâs research office.
- Job Search LeverageâIf 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 CareerâSome students find they have a knack for research once they try it. Many careers in industry and academia require research skills.
- Masterâs DegreeâIf you are thinking about a masterâs degree program, research experience will prepare you for the programâs research expectations.
- Ph.D. DegreeâA Ph.D. dissertation is an in-depth research project and follows the steps outlined in this guide.
- Conference PresentationsâOnce 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 rĂ©sumĂ© worthy.
- Publication OpportunitiesâAcademic 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 readersâ needs.
- Consumer UnderstandingâWhether or not you do anything else with academic research after this project is completed, youâll 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
- The New York Times
- The Wall Street Journal
- The Guardian
- National Public Radioâwww.npr.org/sections/research-news/
- National Geographicâwww.nationalgeographic.com/science/
- Science Dailyâwww.ScienceDaily.com
- Futurityâwww.futurity.org/
- The Conversationâhttps://TheConversation.com
- Science Xâhttps://sciencex.com
- Live Scienceâwww.livescience.com
- Natureâwww.nature.com/
- PNAS (Proceedings from the National Academy of Sciences)âwww.pnas.org
- Scientific Americanâwww.scientificamerican.com/
- Wiredâwww.wired.com/category/science/
- Talk Nerdyâwww.carasantamaria.com
- The Guardian Science Weeklyâwww.theguardian.com/science/series/science
- The Skepticsâ Guide to the Universeâwww.theskepticsguide.org/podcasts
- Nature Podcastâwww.nature.com/nature/articles?type=nature-podcast
- The Naked Scientistsâwww.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/naked-scientists-podcast
- Science VSâhttps://gimletmedia.com/shows/science-vs
- Hidden Brainâwww.npr.org/series/423302056/hidden-brain
- Scientific American, 60-Second Scienceâwww.scientificamerican.com/podcasts/
- Radiolabâwww.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab
- Science Fridayâwww.sciencefriday.com/
- Everyday Research Methods Blogâwww.everydayresearchmethods.com/
- The Guardianâwww.theguardian.com/science/series/science-blog-network
- Scientific Americanâhttps://blogs.scientificamerican.com/
Science YouTube Videos
- Scientific Americanâwww.youtube.com/user/SciAmerican/videos
- KurzgesagtâIn a Nutshellâwww.youtube.com/user/Kurzgesagt/videos
- BBC Earth Labâwww.youtube.com/channel/UCdsOTr6SmDrxuWE7sJFrkhQ
- Physics Girlâwww.youtube.com/user/physicswoman
- AsapSCIENCEâwww.youtube.com/user/AsapSCIENCE
- Nerdologia (with English subtitles)âwww.youtube.com/user/nerdologia/videos
- SmarterEveryDayâwww.youtube.com/user/destinws2
- Veritasiumâwww.youtube.com/user/1veritasium/videos
- TheBrainScoopâwww.youtube.com/user/thebrainscoop/videos
- Vsauceâwww.youtube.com/user/Vsauce/videos
- Brain Craftâwww.youtube.com/user/braincraftvideo/videos
- Two Minute Papersâwww.youtube.com/user/keeroyz/videos
- Gross Scienceâwww.youtube.com/user/grossscienceshow/featured
- A Capella Scienceâwww.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