Communication Faculty Publications and Presentations
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2016
Abstract
This study examined the methodology journalism scholars use when studying significant samples, or “those persons who have attained an unusually pervasive and lasting reputation, regardless of whether that reputation be great or small.” Using Simonton’s work as the theoretical guide, the study content analyzed a census of articles published in 10 major journalism journals from 2000 to 2014. Results showed that the typical study examining significant samples is psychometric and is also quantitative, nomothetic, longitudinal, singularly focused, and exploratory. In addition, it uses macro units and observes the subject indirectly. The study also found similarities between the study of significant samples and extant work in terms of the preponderance of quantitative methods and the use of content analysis as a data collection method. The ramifications are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Wasike, Ben S. “The Significant Other: A Longitudinal Analysis of Significant Samples in Journalism Research, 2000–2014.” International Journal of Communication, vol. 10, June 2016, pp. 2744–65.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Publication Title
International Journal of Communication
Comments
Copyright © 2016 (Ben S. Wasike, ben.wasike@utrgv.edu). Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives (by-nc-nd). Available at http://ijoc.org.