Field of Study:
Communication
Department:
Communication
Rank of Student:
Any
Desired Majors:
Any
Hours per Week:
9
Compensation Type:
Academic Credit
Application Deadline:
Contact:
Interested students should send their resume and a letter of interest to Melissa Foster at foster.1182@osu.edu
Private
Public
Project Description
This project will involve listening to political podcasts and coding the content. It will take about 9 hours a week and is a 3-credit version of Communication 4998.
Coding means that you'll be using numbers to describe the podcasts. There will be a book of codes that tells you what number to use. For example, if the podcast host is more politically liberal, you might code the show as a "1", but if the host is more liberal, you might code the show as a "2". The numbers themselves don't really matter (for example, conservative could just as easily be coded as a "1" or a "2"). However, we use numbers so we can compare the shows easily. For example, we might count the number of episodes were were coded as a "1" or a "2" to determine if there were more liberal or conservative podcasts.
Coding means that you'll be using numbers to describe the podcasts. There will be a book of codes that tells you what number to use. For example, if the podcast host is more politically liberal, you might code the show as a "1", but if the host is more liberal, you might code the show as a "2". The numbers themselves don't really matter (for example, conservative could just as easily be coded as a "1" or a "2"). However, we use numbers so we can compare the shows easily. For example, we might count the number of episodes were were coded as a "1" or a "2" to determine if there were more liberal or conservative podcasts.
Additional Information
Interested students should know in advance that there is also no guarantee that the study will be published.
If they participate, their name may be included in an acknowledgement in a published study if the study is published (for example "The authors would like to thank NAME OF STUDENT for their contributions coding podcasts").
However, students will not be listed as authors unless they express interest in staying involved in the project for a second semester, working on data analysis and writing up the results (training would be provided). Students will only be invited to remain involved for this additional semester if they demonstrate during the first semester that they are reliable.
If they participate, their name may be included in an acknowledgement in a published study if the study is published (for example "The authors would like to thank NAME OF STUDENT for their contributions coding podcasts").
However, students will not be listed as authors unless they express interest in staying involved in the project for a second semester, working on data analysis and writing up the results (training would be provided). Students will only be invited to remain involved for this additional semester if they demonstrate during the first semester that they are reliable.
Required Applicant Information
Please send your resume and a letter of interest. The letter should include information about how much time you can dedicate to this project (please do not apply if you have less than 9 hours a week available) and why you are interested in social science research.
This project is for academic credit, and is NOT a paid position. You would need to be able to register for a 3-credit course. So, if you are already taking more than 15 credits this semester, you will not be eligible.
This project is for academic credit, and is NOT a paid position. You would need to be able to register for a 3-credit course. So, if you are already taking more than 15 credits this semester, you will not be eligible.
Required or Desired Skills
One very nice thing about content analysis research is that you do not need any research experience to be able to do it. Training is quick and easy. However, this type of research DOES require a large time commitment and dedication to working on the project regularly each week.
Faculty Member Lead:
Dr. Melissa Foster
Starting Semester:
Autumn
Length of Project (in semesters):
1