This essential textbook provides a clear and authoritative introduction to qualitative and quantitative methods for studying media and communication. Written by two highly experienced researchers, the book draws on a wide range of media and communication research to introduce students to the relative strengths of the different research approaches. Beginning with an overview of the changing contexts and trends in media and communication research approaches, the book demystifies 'research' and the 'research process' by offering practical and accessible guidance on how to design, plan and carry out successful research projects in media and communication.

This is an indispensable text for all students of media and communication studies, particularly those undertaking their own research projects or taking modules in research methods.

Anders Hansen is Associate Professor in the School of Media, Communication and Sociology at the University of Leicester, UK.

Preface to the second edition
1. Introduction to media and communication research
2. The research process
3. Researching ownership and media policy
4. Ethnography and observational methods
5. Content analysis
6. Critical Discourse Analysis
7. Analysing narratives and discourse schema
8. Analysing photographs and video
9. Survey research
10. Focus group interviewing
11. Managing and analysing communications research data
Glossary
References
Subject index
Author/name index.