The World Wide Web has become one of the hottest topics in social science.
Scholars and professionals from various fields have put tremendous efforts
into studying the World Wide Web. However, the dynamic environment of
the World Wide Web challenges traditional research methods, which have
proven valuable in studying traditional media. One of the methods is content
analysis. How did the dynamic features of Web sites affect the studies using
content analysis? What is the status quo of content analysis after 2000?
What are the challenges, either the "old" ones identified by former research
or the "new" ones emerging in the WWW era? What are the potentially valid
solutions to those challenges? This book examines those issues by conducting
a thematic meta-analysis on how researchers apply the content analysis
method to the World Wide Web between 2000 and 2004. Each step was
examined in studies using content analysis to analyze the WWW during this
period. Problems and solutions were identified. Suggestions of improving
these solutions are proposed. The book is addressed to scholars and
professional in Mass Communications, Journalism. It is also directed towards
scholars in Information Science and Technology.