In Nigeria, the majority of content analysis research tends to tilt towards the dominant quantitative method. This technique now seems overly used, overspent, and unoriginal. This paper reviews content analysis as an empirical research method that is used to study the content of text in order to make inferences that are based on findings. The plethora of quantitative content analysis research writings are predominantly on the study of newspapers with research objectives that rotate around depth, direction, frequency and prominence. This paper in a bid to critique this overly used method of writing, provided description of Content Analysis as a research method, explained the goals/objectives of content analysis as well as underscored the various qualitative methodological types. Furthermore, the uses of content analysis in relation to text were explained. This paper concluded that the content analysis research method is under-used and that there is an abundance of communication branches where the research method needs to be applied.

Content analysis, text, research, quantitative, qualitative, concepts

AllAssignmentHelp (2019). Content analysis: Definition with informative facts/methodology/types.

Berelson, B. (1952). Content analysis in communication research. Michigan: Free Press.

Clootrack (2020). What is content analysis? Retrieved from https://clootrack.com/knowledge_base/what-is-content-analysis/

Copenhaver, B. B. (2002). A portrayal of gender and a description of roles in selected American modern and postmodern plays. Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Retrieved from https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/632

Gerbner, G. (1958). On content analysis and critical research in mass communication. Retrieved from https://web.asc.upenn.edu/gerbner/Asset.aspx?assetID=689&attachment=1

Schreer, E. G. & Strichartz, J. M. (1997). Private restroom graffiti: An analysis of controversial social issues on two college campuses. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1997.81.3.1067

Neuendorf, K. (2002). The content analysis guidebook. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications.

Krippendorff, K. (2004). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology (2nd ed.). London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications.

McCroskey, J. C., & Richmond, V. P. (1993). Communication: implications an reflections. In M. J. O’Hair, & S. J. O’Dell (Eds.), Diversity in teaching (pp. 229-236). Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Palmer, L. & Boettger, R. (2010). Quantitative content analysis: Its use in technical communication. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/614264/Quantitative_Content_Analysis_Its_Use_in_Technical_Communication

Parveen, H. (2017). Content Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318815342_Content_Analysis

Prasad, D., B. (2000). Content analysis: A method in social science research. Retrieved from: https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.627.2918&rep=rep1&type=pdf

White. M., D. & Marsh E. (2006). Content analysis: A flexible methodology. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/32957977_Content_Analysis_A_Flexible_Methodology

Wilson, V. (2011). Research methods: Content analysis. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277170267_Research_Methods_Content_Analysis

Wilson, J. B., Smith, L. S., Potter, J. W. & Kunkel, D. (2002). Violence in children’s television

programming: Assessing the risks. Journal of Communication 52(1)5-35

Writing@CSU (2004). An introduction to content analysis. Retrieved from

http://www.umsl.edu/~wilmarthp/mrpc-web-resources/content-analysis.pdf