The Palgrave Handbook of Methods for Media Policy Research

Understanding media policy is key to the study of polities and politics. Whatever the insights into policy processes and their outcomes, research must be methodologically rigorous. This book on methodology is an enormously useful guide to ensuring that media policy research has a robust foundation for policy influence and intervention.-Robin Mansell, Department of Media and Communications, London School of Economics and Political Science, UKRecent social and technological changes require that media policymaking, research and analysis utilize methodologically sound approaches and techniques. The handbook's contribution to the field is thus timely and much needed, bringing together top experts and creating a unique and valuable resource for academics and policy makers alike.-Amit M. Schejter, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel and Penn State University, USAThe Palgrave Handbook of Methods for Media Policy Research covers the craft that is and the methods used in media and communication policy research. It discusses the steps involved in conducting research, from deciding on a topic to writing a report and everything in between and, furthermore, deals with a wide variety of qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. The handbook invites researchers to rediscover trusted methods such as document analysis, elite interviews and comparisons, as well as to familiarize themselves with newer methods like experiments, big data and network analysis. For each method, the handbook provides a practical step-by-step guide and case studies that help readers in using that method in their own research. The methods discussed are useful for all areas of media and communication policy research, for research concerning the governance of both mass media and online platforms, and for policy issues around the globe. As such, the handbook is an invaluable guide to every researcher in this field.Hilde Van den Bulck is Professor of Communication Studies and Head of the Department of Communication at Drexel University, USA.Manuel Puppis is Full Professor of Media Systems and Media Structures in the Department of Communication and Media Research at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.Karen Donders is Assistant Professor of Communication at the Department of Communication Studies at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium and senior researcher at imec-SMIT.Leo Van Audenhove is Professor of Communication and Head of the Department of Communication Studies at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium and researcher at imec-SMIT.