The primary objective of this study is to compare two methods of mapping and analyzing policy networks using semantic network analysis of textual information from media sources. The two methods compared were human coding and what the paper calls the automated computational method. This was accomplished by (1) using archival data as a source for policy network information, (2) determining whether the use of automated computational network mapping and analysis of archival media data compromised the accuracy and reliability of policy network results, and finally (3) by establishing whether the automated methods are a reliable tool to map and analyze policy networks. To compare the automated computational method with the human coding method, semantic results in a network matrix dataset are generated using AutoMap, a semantic network analysis program, and compared to the human coders' dataset from the same media sources. The comparative study revealed that the automated computational method identifies key terms at greater rates, requires significant preparation of data from media sources for reliable analyses, and presents errors affecting the network results. However, the characteristics of each network generated from the matrix data were similar but not identical. Correcting for the weaknesses of the automated computational method, researchers in the policy sciences and policy analysts may find a reliable and efficient method of mapping and analyzing policy networks of textual information from media sources. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Political Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Fall Semester, 2012. / October 15, 2012. / Automated computational method, Network mapping, Policy networks, Semantic Network Analysis / Includes bibliographical references. / John T. Scholz, Professor Directing Thesis; Richard C. Feiock, Committee Member; John Barry Ryan, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_183243 |
| Contributors | Embrey, Aaron Lee (authoraut), Scholz, John T. (professor directing thesis), Feiock, Richard C. (committee member), Ryan, John Barry (committee member), Department of Political Science (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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