ABSTRACT

Ratings Analysis: The Theory and Practice of Audience Research provides a thorough and up-to-date presentation of the ratings industry and analysis processes. It serves as a practical guide for conducting audience research, offering readers the tools for becoming informed and discriminating consumers of audience information, from broadcasting to cable to the World Wide Web. In its third edition, this essential volume:
*illustrates applications of audience research in advertising, programming, financial analysis, and social policy;
*describes audience research data and summarizes the history of audience measurement, the research methods most often used, and the kinds of ratings research products currently available; and
*discusses the analysis of audience data by offering a framework within which to understand mass media audiences and by focusing specifically to the analysis of ratings data.

Appropriate for all readers needing an in-depth understanding of audience research, including people working in advertising, electronic media, and related industries, Ratings Analysis also has much to offer academics, critics, policy-makers, and students of mass media.

chapter 1|13 pages

An Introduction to Audience Research

chapter 2|26 pages

Audience Research in Advertising

chapter 3|23 pages

Audience Research in Programming

chapter 4|17 pages

Audience Research in Financial Analysis

chapter 5|11 pages

Audience Research in Social Policy

part II|2 pages

RESEARCH DATA

chapter 6|19 pages

The Audience Measurement Business

chapter 7|31 pages

Audience Research Methods

chapter 8|30 pages

Ratings Research Products

part III|2 pages

ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES

chapter 9|29 pages

Understanding Audience Behavior

chapter 10|28 pages

Audience Ratings: Analysis of Gross Measures