Browsing by Subject "content analysis"
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Item Alternative medicine and media: a comparison of online newsgroup discussion and newspaper coverage(Texas A&M University, 2004-09-30) Zhang, RuiThis study examined a specific and controversial issue in health communication: the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Recent studies have shown that both online newsgroups and traditional newspapers have involved in communicating CAM information, but research has not answered whether there are differences between the new and old media. From the perspective of uses and gratifications, this study first investigated that how people are using newsgroups to solve CAM-related problems. Then contents of newsgroup messages and newspaper stories were analyzed to do the comparison in topics, source types, efficacy claims, and CAM categories. The results showed that both similarities and differences existed between the two media.Item Biosocial reciprocity in environmental communication: a study of giant panda conservation communication in China(Texas A&M University, 2007-04-25) Yang, LiuqingThis study proposes biosocial reciprocity framework in environmental communication, which suggests the interdependent relationships between mass media, people's attitudes, and the physical environment. Biosocial reciprocity is applied to analyze the mass media's possible roles in giant panda conservation in China. The mass media's image construction of giant pandas is assessed through a content analysis of People's Daily (1995 to 2004); the conservation awareness, activities, and environment changes are assessed by a review of the country's giant panda conservation history and policies. The result suggests active interrelations among the media, Chinese attitudes toward wildlife, and the loss of wild panda population and habitat. The study urges that to positively influence the natural world, much needs to be done to improve the Chinese media's effectiveness in fostering grassroots environmental value and awareness. Biosocial reciprocity provides a practical conceptual framework for this study to sort out media-related linkages between the social and physical world of giant panda conservation.Item Evaluating News Bias in Agriculture: The Salmonella Outbreak of 2008(2012-02-14) Schroeder, Charlsie LaurenAlthough the United States is considered to have one of the safest food supplies in the world, consumers have become increasingly alarmed with the subject of food safety as each crisis-related outbreak is scrutinized. With the onset of an agricultural-related food crisis, the media plays a vital role in publicizing both facts and opinions. Because of the relationship between agricultural risk communication and the media, it is essential to study the level of bias in the news reporting of these agricultural risk-associated events. The purpose of this study was to analyze the coverage and level of bias of the Salmonella outbreak associated with tomatoes in associated press (AP) newswires during a six-month period in 2008 through a descriptive content analysis. A comprehensive search yielded 57 usable articles written during a six-month period surrounding the outbreak; these articles were analyzed using the Hayakawa-Lowry News Bias categories. A total of 1,444 sentences were coded into nine categories: (a) report attributed, (b) report unattributed, (c) inference labeled, (d) inference unlabeled, (e) judgment attributed favorable, (f) judgment attributed unfavorable, (g) judgment unattributed favorable, (h) judgment unattributed favorable, and (i) other. Data indicated a significantly higher number of report sentences as compared to judgment sentences. Report sentences are considered both verifiable and factual. Thus, data indicated a low level of bias. Additionally, although journalists were objectively reporting information regarding the Salmonella outbreak, per capita tomato consumption for 2008 decreased. In the wake of a crisis, objective reporting is crucial. Journalists have an obligation to report information that is objective, factual, and verifiable. Understanding how the media tells agriculture?s story can help bridge the gap between the industry and those reporting the issues.Item Latina/o Health Discourses in Newsprint Media from 2006-2010: A Content Analysis of Four Syndicated Newspapers(2013-12-11) Ortega, Frank JLatina/o health discourses stem from historical and social notions of biological, cultural, and racial inferiority. Popular U.S. newspapers pay scant attention to Latina/o health concerns and often inaccurately portray Latinas/os as undeserving foreigners that continue to drain social services such as health care. A content analysis of 291 New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and Houston Chronicle newspaper articles (2006-2010) reveals that Latina/o health discourses are grounded in a racialized medical narrative that justifies and sustains white racial oppression. Systemic racism and the white racial frame are utilized as theoretical frameworks to better understand how mainstream newspapers construct the medical racialization of Latinas/os and contribute to health disparities, unequal access to health services, and inadequate health care. The findings reveal that Latina/o health issues concerning high costs, population increase, and political marginality, influence anti-Latina/o legislation, sustain prevailing racism, and create exclusionary health practices. Fundamentally the anti-Latina/o sentiment presented in the newspapers and disseminated throughout society equates to the denial of resources, the denial of health care, and thus the denial of life. Challenging racist Latina/o perceptions is an important area of social science and anti-racism research. Ultimately, without a healthy Latina/o workforce, the economy could not sustain itself and society would be susceptible to economic, social, and political collapse.Item U.S. newspaper coverage of immigration in 2004: a content analysis(Texas A&M University, 2005-08-29) Zhang, JingThis study examined the U.S. newspaper coverage of immigration in 2004. Previous studies have focused on the ideological implication of news coverage, showing that the news frames conveyed elites?? racism toward immigrants. Little research has been done to offer an overview of the general U.S. news content on immigration in the 21st century, such as a study on how topics, themes, and sources shape news frames. Guided by the principle of framing, this study explored the topics, themes, sources, frames, and differences of three major U.S. newspapers??The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and the Houston Chronicle??on immigration. One hundred and twenty-nine articles were examined for this study. The study found that a frame of ??confrontation and frustration?? emerged from the most dominant topics, themes, and sources present in the newspapers. The study also showed that the newspapers were less concerned about differentiating between ??who was legal and who was illegal.?? Half of the time, the newspapers studied represented immigrants, regardless of legal status, as one group. The newspapers were found to be more concerned about reporting the immigrants?? shared experience of living in a non-native country, including shared problems such as in home ownership and in education. Differences among newspapers showed The New York Times?? ??unofficial newspaperof record?? reputation, the Houston Chronicle??s local emphasis, and the Los Angeles Times?? reflection of minority power in California.