Content analysis

Question 1

What are the different steps?

Answer 1

• Sampling
• Coding
• Analysis

Question 2

Sampling?

Answer 2

Distinguishing unit of observation and unit of analysis

Question 3

Coding? (4)

Answer 3

• Transform raw data into standardised form (conceptualisation and operationalisation)
• Manifest ( objective- counting elements) vs. Latent content ( subjective - researcher makes subjective assessment about entire unit of analysis)
• Conceptualisation: creation of attributes, code categories
• Counting and record keeping

Question 4

Analysis? (2)

Answer 4

• Qualitative analysis

- Computer assisted content analysis (CACA)

Question 5

Summary of steps (5)

Answer 5

• Identify population of documents or other textual sources
• Determine unit of analysis
• Select sample of units from population
• Design coding procedures for the variables to be measured
• Develop appropriate analyses

Question 6

Positive aspects? (4)

Answer 6

• Save time and money
• Easy to repeat and replicate
• Allows study of phenomenon over a long period of time
• no impact on subjects - unobtrusive

Question 7

Negative aspects? (2)

Answer 7

• Limited to examination of recorded communication

- trade -off: reliability and validity (depend on choice of coding)

Question 8

Archival research?

Answer 8

Process of extracting evidence from documents from archives and interpret relevant historical documents and records

Question 9

Challenges of archival research? (4)

Answer 9

• Accessing or locating the material
• Archaic language
• different version of the language
• Digging through takes a while

Question 10

Positive aspects of using existing statistics? (6)

Answer 10

• Allows analysis of social processes in unaccessible settings
• Saves money and time
• Avoid data collection problems
• Easier to compare with different samples or cases
• More variables and diverse samples
• Can combine data from multiple studies

Question 11

Secondary analysis?

Answer 11

Use of pre-existing data in a different way or to answer a different question

Question 12

Negative aspects of using existing statistics? (4)

Answer 12

• Unsure of data quality/ reliability
• Don’t control data collection method- could be unsuitable method of sampling
• Can’t test and refine methods
• Trade off between ease of research and appropriateness
  (validity vs. reliability)