ABSTRACT

Over the last decade there has been a growing use of qualitative research methods in the study of social and cultural change. Incorporating theoretical insights from discourse analysis, ethnograohy and reception theory such research has proven a fruitful and enlightening mode of analysis.The Handbook represents the first volume devoted to the utilization of such methods in mass media research. It includes contributions from those at the forefront o communication studies who apply a developing methodology to media contents, contexts and audiences. Among others, Gaye Tuchman writes on news production, Dave Morley and Roger Silverstone on media audiences, and Horace Newcombe applies qualitative methods to television drama.In view of the rapid changes which the media environment is now undergoing, the books systematic overview of qualitative research methods will benefit commercial organisations as well as academic institutions.

part II|115 pages

Systematics

chapter Chapter 3|14 pages

Media institutions

Qualitative methods in the study of news

chapter Chapter 4|15 pages

Media institutions

The creation of television drama

chapter Chapter 5|13 pages

Media contents

The interdisciplinary study of news as discourse

chapter Chapter 6|14 pages

Media contents

Textual analysis of fictional media content

chapter Chapter 7|14 pages

Media audiences

Reception analysis: mass communication as the social production of meaning

chapter Chapter 8|14 pages

Media audiences

Communication and context: ethnographic perspectives on the media audience

chapter Chapter 9|12 pages

Media contexts

Qualitative research and community media

chapter Chapter 10|15 pages

Media contexts

Historical approaches to communication studies

part III|41 pages

Pragmatics

chapter Chapter 11|23 pages

Theory development

Studying events in their natural settings

chapter Chapter 12|16 pages

Social Contexts and Uses of Research

Media, education, and communities