Mass Media Research : An Introduction

This text begins with an overview of mass communication research and ethics of research. It then explores each major approach to research, including qualitative, content analysis, survey research, longitudinal research, and experimental research. The text continues with a section on data analysis, and concludes with a forward-looking section on research applications, covering such topics as research in print and electronic media as well as on the Internet.

Roger Wimmer received his Ph.D. in mass media research from Bowling Green State University in Ohio in 1976, although he has been involved in mass media research since 1972. His expansive experience includes serving as a sales representative at KLSS and KSMN, Mason City, Iowa, instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, assistant professor at the University of Mississippi, associate professor at the University of Georgia, and manager of research for Cox Broadcasting in Atlanta, Ga. Prior to founding Wimmer Research, Dr. Wimmer was co-founder of Wimmer-Hudson Research & Development, president/CEO/co-founder of The Eagle Group, president/general partner/co-founder of Paragon Research, and president of Surrey Research. He has extensive radio industry experience as well as all areas of research for the television and cable television industries, including stations, networks, and programming production. He has developed several research approaches to test local news content, on-air talent, and promotional activities. In addition, Dr. Wimmer has several years of experience in nonmedia research, working with such clients as The Aquarium of the Pacific, Coors, U.S. West, and Samsonite.

Joseph Dominick is a retired professor in the College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1970. He taught for four years at Queens College of the City University of New York before going to the University of Georgia where, from 1980 to 1985, he served as the head of the Radio-TV-Film Sequence. The author or co-author of four additional books, Dr. Dominick also has published nearly 40 articles in scholarly journals. From 1976 to 1980, he served as the editor of the JOURNAL OF BROADCASTING. He has received research grants from the National Association of Broadcasters and from the American Broadcasting Company, and he has consulted for such organizations as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Chemical Society.