Content analysis

Question 1

Define content analysis

Answer 1

Used to analyse data and convert it into quantitative data.

Question 2

When is content analysis used ?

Answer 2

Used when analysing sources such as interviews, articles, diary entries etc

Question 3

stages of content analysis

Answer 3

1.Decide research question
2.Select a sample of data (diary entries, interviews)
3.Coding where the researcher decides on categories to be recorded (how often particular words appear)
4.Work through the data and work out the number of times pre-determined categories are used.
5.Data analysis on quantitative data to look for patterns

Question 4

Define thematic analysis

Answer 4

First assesses the source/material for common themes. These themes are then coded like a content analysis.

Question 5

Operationalised

Answer 5

Word used to describe how a variable is clearly defined by the researcher.

Question 6

How can you test for reliability

Answer 6

Test-retest reliability- where the content analysis is tan again on the same sample and then compare two sets of data.
Inter-rater reliability- A second rated also performs the content analysis with the same set of data and the same behavioural categories. Then compare two sets of data.

Question 7

How do you compare two sets of data

Answer 7

With a test of correlation.
A correlation of 0.8 or stronger is usually accepted as showing the data is reliable.

Question 8

Strengths of Content analysis

Answer 8

The data isn’t created for the research and is taken from the real word. This means content analysis has high external validity and finding can be generalised to the real world.

Question 9

Weaknesses of content analysis

Answer 9

The researcher will need to interpret text this leading to researcher bias. When researchers interpret text they might do it in a way that supports their pre-existing views.