Media Bias in Reporting Social Research?: The Case of Reviewing Ethnic Inequalities in Education

In recent years, the importance of disseminating the findings of social research has been given increased emphasis. The most effective way in which research findings can be disseminated to a wide audience is via the mass media. However, there are frequent complaints that media coverage of social and educational research is very limited and often distorted. Through a detailed analysis of a particular case, about ethnic inequalities in educational achievement, this book examines some of the processes involved in the reporting of research findings, and their implications for judgments about media distortion and bias. Martyn Hammersley, a well known and respected scholar in this area, unravels some of the complexities which are frequently ignored in claims about media bias. Covering many areas - including education, media studies, cultural studies, sociology and social policy - this book will generate a wide interest with students, scholars and professionals alike.

Martyn Hammersley is Professor of Educational and Social Research at the Open University, UK.