How to conduct content analysis Select the content you will analyze. Based on your research question, choose the texts that you will analyze. ... Define the units and categories of analysis. ... Develop a set of rules for coding. ... Code the text according to the rules. ... Analyze the results and draw conclusions.
Content analysis is a research method used to identify patterns in recorded communication. To conduct content analysis, you systematically collect data from a set of texts, which can be written, oral, or visual:
Content analysis can be both quantitative (focused on counting and measuring) and qualitative (focused on interpreting and understanding). In both types, you categorize or "code" words, themes, and concepts within the texts and then analyze the results.