Documents

• Definition


  Data sources including written texts, images, audio and video which can be analysed
• Types of data


  • primary
  • secondary
  • qualitative
  • quantitative
  • reliable
  • valid
• Gewirtz: Marketisation and parental choice


  • Lobban: systematic content analysis of schoolbooks
  • McRobbie: thematic content analysis of girl's magazines
• Practical advantages of content analysis

  • Few interpersonal skills needed as there is no face-to-face
  • Some documents may be difficult to access
  • Often cheap as some are available to the public
  • Systematic content analysis requires less skill
  • Thematic content analysis requires more skill
• Ethical considerations of content analysis

  • No deception as there are no participants
  • Certain documents require informed consent
  • Documents with sensitive information need to be handled carefully
• Theoretical factors of content analysis

  • May be difficult to judge the authenticity of some documents
  • Analysing data is subjective and up for interpretation
  • Documents can provide deep meaningful insight into the life and feelings of the author
  • Systematic content analysis is more objective
  • Thematic content analysis is higher in validity