This essential textbook provides a clear and authoritative introduction to qualitative and quantitative methods for studying media and communication. Written by two highly experienced researchers, the book draws on a wide range of media and communication research to introduce students to the relative strengths of the different research approaches. Beginning with an overview of the changing contexts and trends in media and communication research approaches, the book demystifies 'research' and the 'research process' by offering practical and accessible guidance on how to design, plan and carry out successful research projects in media and communication. This is an indispensable text for all students of media and communication studies, particularly those undertaking their own research projects or taking modules in research methods.
Anders Hansen is Associate Professor in the School of Media, Communication and Sociology at the University of Leicester, UK.David Machin is Professor at the School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, Örebro University, Sweden.
Preface to the second edition1. Introduction to media and communication research2. The research process3. Researching ownership and media policy4. Ethnography and observational methods5. Content analysis6. Critical Discourse Analysis7. Analysing narratives and discourse schema8. Analysing photographs and video9. Survey research10. Focus group interviewing11. Managing and analysing communications research dataGlossaryReferencesSubject indexAuthor/name index.
This is an accessible and established handbook for students of media and communications research. It is well contextualised historically and conceptually and provides a comprehensive guide to research procedures in the field.