Mass Communication Research Methods

Mass communication research is a sprawling and multidisciplinary field of research approaches and theories, drawing inspiration from a range of disciplines in the humanities and the social sciences, and even from such science disciplines such as mathematics, computing and engineering. It continually develops and adapts to the changing nature and application of media technologies as well as changing political and social concerns with 'the media'.This major work combines 'pure' methods articles or discussions with a range of 'exemplary' applications - within particular theoretical frameworks - of each particular method or approach. The content is divided into five sections:" Section I: Asking the right questions" Section II: Researching media institutions, organisations, professionals and production" Section III: Researching media content and representation" Section IV: Researching media and communication in society: consumption, audiences, politics, problems and pleasures" Section V: Doing communication research