<p>The communication of school quality in the print media was examined through an empirical quantitative content analysis research design and computer assisted content coding approach. This focus was selected due to the importance of school quality information for parents and a community. The purpose of the research was the identification of the message communicated through the media frames selected by journalists reporting on school quality and education accountability.
The content sample was composed of 130 news articles published in Wisconsin daily newspapers, 2012 through 2014. Using the empirical quantitative content analysis method developed by Harold D. Lasswell, Ph.D., the standardized statistical tests for trend, interaction, and covariance were conducted to identify the dominant frames, the semantic meaning, and the message. Tests for validity and reliability of the content, coding, correlations, and design were conducted. The result of the media frame analysis demonstrated significant relationships between the media frame, state events, and the treatment of public education during each of the three years.
The research addressed three gaps found in the literature and surfaced a paradox indicator of social change. The importance of the local newspaper was demonstrated, along with evidence that the interaction of the newspaper network impacts access to balanced coverage of this critical topic. The research created an accessible and reliable body of content from which to conduct future research on audience and message impact analysis.
Keywords: education accountability, frame analysis, mass media communication research, public education, quantitative content analysis, school quality, school report card, social accountability, social change, social responsibility, Wisconsin
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10164923 |
| Date | 02 December 2016 |
| Creators | Dooge-Strampp, Gwendolyn L. |
| Publisher | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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