(4) CONTENT ANALYSIS

Question 1

Define a pilot study

Answer 1

• Small-scale trial run of a research study before full investigation is carried out

Question 2

What does it help researchers do

Answer 2

• Identify potential issues with research design
○ Unclear q’s, procedural flaws, practical difficulties
• Helps researchers refine methods
• Allows researchers to test:
○ Materials, instructions, data collection methods

Question 3

How is content analysis carried out

Answer 3

1. Create coding system of predetermined categories
   
   2. Cannot change those throughout study, tally up numbers
   3. Pilot study often used to generate and test coding system

Question 4

What is content analysis

Answer 4

• Turns qualitative to quantitative data

Question 5

2 pros and 2 cons of content analysis

Answer 5

• PROS
○ Reliability
§ Creating a coding system increases inter-rather reliability
○ Statistical procedures possible
§ Patterns can be identified in data that are not otherwise apparent
• CONS
○ Reductionist
§ Lose richness and complexity of qualitative data
○ Illusion of objectivity
§ Researcher’s perception of what’s important goes down, but everything else is not included