ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the uses of content analysis and the research process for content analysis. It discusses when it is appropriate to use content analysis, how the technique is applied, and how the results of content analysis should be interpreted, as well as certain limits of content analytic procedures. Political scientists may learn a great deal about individuals, groups, institutions, or even nations through a careful examination of their communications. The content analysis is a widely applicable technique with advantages in cost, sample size, and, often, access to data. Content analysis may be used to answer research questions whenever there is a physical record of communications by, to, within, or among the political actors that interest, as long as the researcher has access to that record. Examples of such a record include Web pages, transcripts of meetings or proceedings, government documents, diplomatic communiqus and instructions, political posters and cartoons, political advertising, speeches, and even letters and diaries.
