Methodological Challenges in Comparative Communication Research

Advancing Cross-National Research in Times of Globalization

Bibliographic Data

ID20060458
AuthorsFrank Esser (0000-0002-1627-1521, University of Zurich, corresponding author)
Year2014
Pages15-30
Publication date2014-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeCHAPTER
VenueComparing Political Communication Across Time and Space (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan UK (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1057/9781137366474_2
OpenAlexW2499059680
ISBN9781137366474
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited25

Comparative communication research is conventionally perceived as the contrasting of different macro-level cases (e.g. world regions, political systems, subnational regions, social milieus, language areas, cultural thick- enings) with respect to at least one object of investigation relevant to the field of communication. The comparative approach attempts to reach conclusions beyond single cases and explains differences and similarities between objects of analysis against the backdrop of their contextual condi- tions. It is important that the objects of analysis are compared on the basis of a common theoretical framework, and also that this is done by drawing on equivalent conceptualizations and methods. It should also be pointed out that spatial (cross-territorial) comparisons ought to be supplemented wherever possible by a longitudinal (cross-temporal) dimension in order to account for the fact that systems and cultures are not frozen in time, but constantly changing under the influence of manifold transformation proc- esses (for a more thorough discussion of comparative analysis see Esser and Hanitzsch, 2012; Canel and Voltmer, in this volume)

Comparative research · Economic geography · Economics · Epistemology · Geography · Globalization · Macro · Political science · Politics · Regional science · Research Object · Social science · Sociology · Computer Science · Mathematics · Media Studies and Communication · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Artificial Intelligence

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