Purpose of content analysis in social science research

Content analysis is a research technique for making inferences by objectively and systematically identifying specified characteristic of content of document this a method of collection and analysis this used to gathering data from archival records document, newspapers diaries, letters minute of meeting and they like the content of the written material serves as a basis of inference the analysis is made objectively and systematically. 

    Objectivity refers to making analysis on the basis of explicit roles which enable different researcher to obtain the same result from the same documents systematic analysis refer to making inclusion or exclusion of content according to consistently applied criteria of selection. Only materials relevant to research hypothesis are examined. Content analysis as a method of studying communications was develop in the united states as a branch of social psychology known as communication research. Content analysis can be applied to available materials as letters, diaries, newspaper article and editorials etc and to materials like stories or essays especially produced for a particular research problem.  Content analysis is used for various purposes such as 

(a) To analyze the attributes, antecedents or effects; 

(b) To infer personality traits of speakers from logical and cognitive characteristic of their verbal communication 

(c) To infer aspect of content  

(d) To understand the role of mass media in molding public opinion on occasion like general election (e) The study newspaper stand toward current issue like corona pandemic, government role in handling pandemic, migration issues, Nisarga challenges etc. 

(f) To determine the philosophy of spiritual guru of our age like Sri Sri Ravishankarji, Jaggi Vasudev, Thakurji, Mata Amritanandamayi etc.

 (g) To determine themes and values of novels and short stories.

 (h) To determine social literature. 

(i) to measures behavior variables like need values, attitudes, authoritarianism, creativity and so enough and analysis of both available materials of projection kind. 

(j) to study the propaganda techniques adopted by propaganda its to influence the public. 

(k) to identify the literacy style, concepts or belief of a writer e.g. Spiritual belief

(Source: Based on many Reference text in Research Methodology and google search)