HSP3M: Content Analysis Spring 2010

task: Apply social scientific research methodologies for content analysis

This research technique involves systematic study of a source of information to garner data about a particular
subject. This will help you connect Primary research with Secondary research.
Use the handout “Content Analysis” to guide you through the process.
task steps:

Part Details Due Date

ONE Brainstorming and Planning KU So your Interested?

TWO Social Science Research TI, A 2 ACADEMIC articles

THREE Content Analysis A Overview of Data collected

FOUR Final Research Paper and folio C, TI All Your Work!

Part One
1. Write a short overview outlining your thoughts and plans for the following concepts
a. Select a topic of interest. What specific concept are you interested in?
b. Identify a source of information in which you can focus our content analysis.
c. How will you collect the data associated to your topic in your source? Create a data collection tool which
will assist you in organizing your data
Part Two
1. Research and identify at least 2 academic articles relating to your topic. These must be social science sources.
You will submit a short Annotated Bibliography. You will briefly explain why these sources help you to
understand your topic more effectively.
2. State your hypothesis. What do you think your data will show? (see text p 123)
Part Three
Conduct your content analysis. You are responsible for seeing your teacher if you have any problems doing this
step (She can’t read minds as much as she wishes she could). This will use a chart to tally your findings.
Part Four
Write a 2 - 3 (500 - 750 words) page paper which attempts to ‘make sense’ of the data you collected and the
dominant themes you have discovered. Discuss whether your hypothesis was correct or not (it’s okay if it’s not!).
Connect your findings to the scientific research you have found. Make direct reference to your primary research
and use specific facts and statistics to draw your conclusions.
Include your research in your final submission as well as your submissions for previous stages . Your data should
be compiled in a readable form/appendices and copies of your articles are also included.
HSP3M: Content Analysis Spring 2010

Possible Information Sources:

Use sources which are consecutive (ie. Elle s May, June and July magazines).

radio greeting cards songs

novels Cartoons television

film poetry video/DVD

Internet Sites/searches magazines newspapers

textbooks jokes graffiti

Possible content to collect as data:

words/word usage
actors/actresses used (gender, ethnicity, age, fashion style etc)

length/width of text, page found

ratios (one aspect in comparison to another)

relationships between characters

timing (how many minutes:seconds are devoted to...)

Possible Topics to research:

Gender sex/sexual suggestions poverty

ethnicity terrorism criminals

violence image youth

advertising food Drugs/Alcohol

International Issues sexuality family stages/changes

If you have an idea which is not indicated here, talk to your Teacher.