The purpose of this study was to examine the peculiarities of framing of the United States in selected Belarusian newspapers during first six months of the Obama administration. The concepts of anti-Americanism, authoritarian model of mass media and framing were chosen as a theoretical framework. This study was focused on the two main questions: first, what is the difference in how Belarusian state-run and independent newspapers frame the U.S., and second, what is the mechanism of creating negative image of the U.S. in Belarusian newspapers. In order to provide comprehensive answers to both questions the multi-method approach (involving methods of content and framing analysis) was chosen. As this study demonstrated, the state-run and independent newspapers present a very different image of the U.S.: state-run newspapers present the U.S. within a scope of strong negative frames. However, the picture in the independent newspapers is the opposite: out of four general frames three were positive and one was neutral-positive. The results of the content analysis showed that negative images of the United States do not necessarily have to be promoted through direct judgmental statements, but could rather be initiated by means of selecting certain negative facts for publication, often from unidentified sources. By concentrating their attention on crime, natural catastrophes, manipulating statistical data, omitting sources of information and selecting foreign experts who are critically inclined against the U.S media create a negative image of the United States.

The purpose of this study was to examine the peculiarities of framing of the United States in selected Belarusian newspapers during first six months of the Obama administration. The concepts of anti-Americanism, authoritarian model of mass media and framing were chosen as a theoretical framework. This study was focused on the two main questions: first, what is the difference in how Belarusian state-run and independent newspapers frame the U.S., and second, what is the mechanism of creating negative image of the U.S. in Belarusian newspapers. In order to provide comprehensive answers to both questions the multi-method approach (involving methods of content and framing analysis) was chosen. As this study demonstrated, the state-run and independent newspapers present a very different image of the U.S.: state-run newspapers present the U.S. within a scope of strong negative frames. However, the picture in the independent newspapers is the opposite: out of four general frames three were positive and one was neutral-positive. The results of the content analysis showed that negative images of the United States do not necessarily have to be promoted through direct judgmental statements, but could rather be initiated by means of selecting certain negative facts for publication, often from unidentified sources. By concentrating their attention on crime, natural catastrophes, manipulating statistical data, omitting sources of information and selecting foreign experts who are critically inclined against the U.S media create a negative image of the United States.

Background. A number of commentators (Holloway 1996 Muijen 1996a; 1996b) have suggested that two events in the form of homicides carried out by mental health service users came to exert a disproportionate influence on English mental health policy over the period 1985-2000. In particular it has been suggested that the events formed the focus for a ‘moral panic’ caused by ‘irresponsible’ and ‘sensationalist’ reporting in UK newspapers (Neal 1998; Prins and Swan 1998). Aims. In the light of such claims this study critically explores the role played by the deaths of Jonathan Zito and Isabel Schwarz play in establishing violent assaults perpetrated by people experiencing mental illness as a ‘social problem’. It examines whether a shift in the discourse on mental illness took place in UK newspapers and explores how the deaths of Isabel Schwarz were and Jonathan Zito were framed in terms of causal responsibility. Finally it evaluates what influence, if any, the deaths in question had on the social policy agenda. Design. Case study / mixed design integrating quantitative and qualitative methods. Method. Content analysis consisting of a longitudinal analysis of the nature of the representation of mental illness changed over the period in two UK newspaper. Framing a sub-type of discourse analysis examined changes in the discourse of mental illness and the effects of the emergence of the community care tragedy as a ‘new’ narrative. It was also used to examine the potential influence on social policy on mental illness of changes in societal level frames particularly the emergence of the risk society. Results. The content analysis found that mental illness appeared increasingly in the context of a threat to public safety in newspapers over the period but that the overall representation was more balanced. The framing analysis identified and evidenced a competitive process in framing the issue of homicides committed by service users with mental health problems and demonstrated the potential influence of macro level social frames on the policy making proces

This research explores the development of community-based media for HIV/AIDS education and prevention. The theoretical framework for the research was based in semiotic, cultural studies and participatory action research perspectives and is critical of conventional approaches to communication and media production. Conceptual ideas for the media products emerged through interaction with small groups of participants utilising participatory action research and focus group methodology. A series of posters were produced and distributed within the communities studied. The research demonstrates a practicable and replicable methodology for deriving community perspectives around a range of issues and articulating these via small media products. The methodology is relevant to health education, but may also be applicable to a range of community-based initiatives that seek to facilitate social change. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, 1994.

The arrival of the Big Data era has become a major topic of discussion in many sectors because of the premises of big data utilizations and its impact on decision-making. It is an interdisciplinary issue that has captured the attention of scholars and created new research opportunities in information science, business, heath care, and many others fields. The problem is the Big Data is not well defined, so that there exists confusion in IT what jobs and skill sets are required in big data area. The problem stems from the newness of the Big Data profession. Because many aspects of the area are unknown, organizations do not yet possess the IT, human, and business resources necessary to cope with and benefit from big data. These organizations include health care, enterprise, logistics, universities, weather forecasting, oil companies, e-business, recruiting agencies etc., and are challenged to deal with high volume, high variety, and high velocity big data to facilitate better decision- making. This research proposes a new way to look at Big Data and Big Data analysis. It helps and meets the theoretical and methodological foundations of Big Data and addresses an increasing demand for more powerful Big Data analysis from the academic researches prospective. Essay 1 provides a strategic overview of the untapped potential of social media Big Data in the business world and describes its challenges and opportunities for aspiring business organizations. It also aims to offer fresh recommendations on how companies can exploit social media data analysis to make better business decisions—decisions that embrace the relevant social qualities of its customers and their related ecosystem. The goal of this research is to provide insights for businesses to make better, more informed decisions based on effective social media data analysis. Essay 2 provides a better understanding of the influence of social media during the 2016 American presidential election and develops a model to examine individuals' attitudes toward participating in social media (SM) discussions that might influence their decision in choosing between the two presidential election candidates, Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton. The goal of this research is to provide a theoretical foundation that supports the influence of social media on individual's decisions. Essay 3 defines the major job descriptions for careers in the new Big Data profession. It to describe the Big Data professional profile as reflected by the demand side, and explains the differences and commonalities between company-posted job requirements for data analytics, business analytics, and data scientists jobs. The main aim for this work is to clarify of the skill requirements for Big Data professionals for the joint benefit of the job market where they will be employed and of academia, where such professionals will be prepared in data science programs, to aid in the entire process of preparing and recruiting for Big Data positions.

The diploma thesis concerns itself with the analysis of connection between the media exposure to refugeedom topics and the perceived salience of the issue. Combined qualitative and quantitative research designs ruled by QUAN → qual scheme are used in the thesis. In the quantitative part the effect of exposure to refugeedom-related news on the perceived salience of the subject is constructed using TV and newspaper viewing figures while controlling socio- demographic characteristics of respondents. Binary logistic regression was used to find the influence. The analysis shows that the exposure to content concerning immigration and refugees has influenced the rated importance of the issue. However, there are other variables not included in the model which are affecting the salience. The qualitative approach offers insights into the relationship discovered with quantitative methods. In-depth interviews showed people are aware of the media influence mainly regarding topics they are thinking about and discussing with their social surroundings. According to some interviewees this influence is stronger observed in topics where we lack personal experience, like the refugees. Apart from the media other issues like value orientation, life experience, social surroundings or the extent of criticism may have...

1 Abstract The thesis titled Partisans perception of controversial topics in online news and influence of hostile media effect is dedicated to a modern phenomenon from the field of media effects and media audience research called hostile media effect. Its theory has been shaping since the mid 80s of the previous century and it is defined as a tendency of polarized partisans to perceive even-handed and balanced media coverage of a controversial topic as biased against their own opinion. With this effect, both polarized groups evaluate unbiased media content as more favorable towards the contrary point of view. Theoretical part includes the history of the phenomenon, its context within development of new digital media and social media, factors that influence its impact and how it affects cognitive processes, therefore why there is a tendency of such perceptions within polarized partisans. The last chapter of theory covers a summary of major studies and their findings. In the research part, I conducted a questionnaire inspired by an American study from 2012 that observes different perceptions of media coverage among partisans in the topic of mandatory children vaccination. This is the first research that confirmed a tendency of hostile media phenomenon on Slovak online population.

Tam Pui Ching, Maria. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-73). / Questionnaire also in Chinese. / Chapter Chapter One: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter Two: --- Literature Review --- p.5 / Cultivation Theory --- p.5 / Stereotypes and Attitudes toward the Elderly --- p.8 / Factors Affecting Stereotypes --- p.9 / Media Influence on Attitudes toward the Elderly --- p.12 / Cultural Values of Family and Ageing --- p.15 / Chapter Chapter Three: --- Rationale and Hypotheses --- p.20 / Rationale --- p.20 / Hypotheses --- p.23 / Chapter Chapter Four: --- Methodology --- p.29 / Sample --- p.29 / Measurement of Chinese Cultural Values --- p.30 / Measurement of Attitudes toward the Elderly --- p.33 / Measurement of Stereotypes about the Elderly --- p.37 / Media Exposure --- p.39 / Chapter Chapter Five: --- Findings --- p.41 / Testing Hypothesis H1 --- p.46 / Testing Hypothesis H2 --- p.47 / Testing Hypothesis H3 --- p.47 / Testing Hypothesis H4 --- p.48 / Testing Hypothesis H5 --- p.48 / Testing Hypothesis H6 --- p.49 / Testing Hypothesis H7 --- p.50 / Chapter Chapter Six: --- Discussion and Conclusion --- p.52 / Appendix1 --- p.62 / References --- p.67

This diploma thesis has been focused on the relationship of pupils in the 1. -3. grade of elementary school to the contemporary fairy tales. The theoretical part of my work is focused on the fairy tale as a genre (classic folk and modern fairy tale), on the media influence of the fairy tale, on its current status, development trends, the influence of recipient etc. My work has an investigative character too. It has been focused on the reading behavior of pupils, their behavior, the influence of family and school, on the development of reading, respectively focusing on this genre, on the influence of media etc. Based on questionnaires and interviews with pupils and their parents I will try to capture the current status. The research results are compared with the theoretical part and are supported with the attachment. The results are interpreted in the conclusion.

The diploma thesis "Gender differences in risk attitude among Czech high school students" discusses how people deal with risk in everyday life. The first part of the paper investigates the forming of risk perception, and the factors that influence the process. Social and cultural structures are of high importance, but also individual factors (such as gender or personal experiences) as well as media representation matter. Risk perception plays a key role in decision-making in situations dealing with uncertainty and the paper asserts that it is possible to model risk behaviour and make predictions accordingly. The second part of the paper presents research on risk attitudes among Czech high school students. It deals with gender differences and students' willingness to risk in three key domains: social, health and leisure time. The model used in the paper focuses on students' willingness to participate in a given activity, their perception of the probability of negative outcomes, and the degree of pleasure derived from the activity. Research indicates that a) men are more willing to risk in health and leisure time related activities, whereas women are more daring in social activities; b) students coming from academically oriented schools are more willing to risk in social activities than students...