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Media Criticism and Analysis

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:7.00
Study Course Accepted:02.02.2024 12:26:16
Study Course Information
Course Code:KSK_159LQF level:Level 6
Credit Points:2.00ECTS:3.00
Branch of Science:Communication Sciences; Communication TheoryTarget Audience:Information and Communication Science; Communication Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Sergejs Kruks
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfatrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)6Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures12
Classes (count)4Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes8
Total Contact Hours20
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)5Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures10
Classes (count)3Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes6
Total Contact Hours16
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Study course Introduction to Communication Theories.
Objective:
To teach to apply the method of quantitative media content analysis; to develop students’ understanding of empirical analysis of journalism and public relations texts; to develop research project preparation and implementation skills, to formulate hypotheses and research questions, to develop data collection methodology, to encode media content, to process data in SPSS software, to interpret results, to present results in a report with information graphics.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1The meaning of media content analysis. Importance of data in the evaluation of media work. Formulation of research problems. Research questions and hypotheses.Lectures1.00auditorium
Classes1.00auditorium
2Synchronous and diachronic research. The concept of sampling. Types of samples, selection thereof for research.Lectures1.00auditorium
3Units to be measured. Data operationalisation. Categories and subcategories of content analysis. Types of measurement scales.Lectures1.00auditorium
4Research sample and categories.Classes2.00auditorium
5Coding instruction. Data collection protocol. Coding process. Pilot study. Calculation of the error. Clarification of categories.Lectures1.00auditorium
6Introduction to SPSS software. Processing of content analysis data: cross-tabulation, correlation, and interpretation of the results.Lectures1.00auditorium
Classes1.00auditorium
7Theoretical basis of content analysis. Paradigms and theories. Principles of objective data collection.Lectures1.00auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1The meaning of media content analysis. Importance of data in the evaluation of media work. Formulation of research problems. Research questions and hypotheses.Lectures1.00auditorium
Classes1.00auditorium
2Synchronous and diachronic research. The concept of sampling. Types of samples, selection thereof for research.Lectures0.50auditorium
3Units to be measured. Data operationalisation. Categories and subcategories of content analysis. Types of measurement scales.Lectures0.50auditorium
4Research sample and categories.Classes1.00auditorium
5Coding instruction. Data collection protocol. Coding process. Pilot study. Calculation of the error. Clarification of categories.Lectures1.00auditorium
6Introduction to SPSS software. Processing of content analysis data: cross-tabulation, correlation, and interpretation of the results.Lectures1.00auditorium
Classes1.00auditorium
7Theoretical basis of content analysis. Paradigms and theories. Principles of objective data collection.Lectures1.00auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Group work: Development of a quantitative research methodology for analysis of a chosen topic; gathering the data, statistical processing of the data.
Assessment Criteria:
Group project: quantitative research methodology (a description of the coding system and procedures), data collection (an excel table), and processing the data in SPSS programme (tables and indicators of statistical significance). Participation in seminars. Exam (test in e-studijas: 10 multiple choice and open questions.
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:Students understand the theory and methodology of quantitative content analysis.
Skills:Students are able to define research problem, formulate research questions, prepare research design, collect data, process it in SPSS software, interpret results, write a research report.
Competencies:Students carry out quantitative analysis of media messages and interpret data.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1Wimmer, R., J. Dominick (2014) Mass Media Research: An Introduction. 3rd edition. Boston, MA: Wadsworth.
2Riffe, D., S. Lacy, F. Fico (2019) Analyzing Media Messages. Using Quantitative Content Analysisin Research. 4th edition. Mahwah, NJ and London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
3Kruks, S. (2022) Satura kvantitatīvā analīze. Kopsavilkums.
Additional Reading
1Kruks, S., J. Juzefovičs (2007) Ziņas Latvijas televīzijās. LTV1, LTV7, TV3, LNT, TV5 un PBK ziņu raidījumu satura analīze. Rīga: NRTP.
2Kruks, S., I. Šulmane (2006) Neiecietības izpausmes un iecietības veicināšana Latvijas presē 2004. gadā. Rīga: ĪUMSIL.