TV CONTENT ANALYSIS GUIDELINES

SOCL 325

CRIMINOLOGY

WHAT:  The goal for this assignment is for each student to do a content analysis of local and cable news coverage of crime.  Each paper will need to be at least two pages, double-spaced, stapled, and typed.  Papers that are not stapled or are not in the correct format will receive grades of ZERO.  At the top of each paper list your name, this class (SOCL 325), and which assignment you have chosen.

WHEN:  Papers will only be accepted on Thursday (9/15).

ASSIGNMENT CHOICES: Students will engage in content analysis of television news coverage of crime.  Students may choose one of two different assignments.

• Assignment One – Different Hours Different Stories:  Choose one of the local network affiliates and watch (or record then watch) their evening news 5/5:30/6/11PM.  Note how and if the coverage of crime varies during these different shows. Engage in this research from Monday through Friday.
• Assignment Two – Different Channels Different Coverage:  Choose two of the local news affiliates and examine how each covers crime.  Do they cover the same crimes?  Do they use the same “buzz words” or “catch phrases?”  How much of each show is devoted to crime.  You will need the usage of a VCR or DVR (tivo), so that you can watch one show and tape the other.  Focus on the 6PM broadcast (or the 10 PM and 11 PM broadcasts).  Engage in this research from Monday through Friday.

Some examples of sources:

LOCAL NEWS:

• wsoctv.com (Channel 9 – ABC News affiliate)
• wcnc.com (Channel 36 – NBC News affiliate)
• wbtv.com (Channel 3 – CBS News affiliate)

CABLE NEWS:

• cnn.com
• foxnews.com
• abcnews.go.com
• cbsnews.com
• msnbc.msn.com

CONTENT ANALYSIS: This research strategy allows for a mix of both qualitative and quantitative data.  For example for all three assignments, you will be noting what news anchors say, but you can also count the number of times anchors use certain buzz words, or what percent of the stories on the news are crime related.  Basically, you can use both numbers and words (and in fact need both) to complete this assignment.  The main idea is to take some form of content (EX: TV news) and reduce it to a series of variables (buzz words, catch phrases, number of crime stories, emotions or sentiment that anchors display) in order to engage in sociological analysis.  You must include a graph, including “buzz words” and the number of times these words were used during your data collection.

ASSIGNMENT SPECIFICS:  Use Monday as a general note taking day that will set up your main research on Tuesday through Friday.  On Monday take “field notes” on the news.  For example:

• Count crime stories/total number of stories
• Look for words/catch phrases that are repeated or used frequently during these crime stories
• What types of crimes get greater focus?
• How do the anchors refer to the suspects?  Also examine the emotional content of the anchors during crime stories as opposed to sports of weather. 

Once you have this general framework from your Monday TV viewing collect data on these “variables” on Tuesday through Friday.  Finally, use this data to come to a conclusion about TV coverage of crime.  This is where the sociological analysis comes into play.  For example:

• What goals do you think these stations are trying to accomplish?
• Can you see through the coverage to see the work of “Media Consultants?”
• Who’s values are they (the anchors) reflecting/projecting (For example if there is a story about speed traps, are they reflecting your values or someone else’s values?)