Qualitative Research in Journalism

摘要: Qualitative Research in Journalism. Sharon Hartin Iorio, ed. Mahway, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 2004. 238 pp. $27.50 pbk. An unforeseen but welcome consequence of the public journalism movement has been a renewed interest how journalists study their local communities. The movement's attempts to widen and deepen dialogue have inspired reporters get beyond traditional dependence on interview, morgue, document develop expertise small group research, social surveys, modes deliberation. theory underwriting these changes at least three decades making. Public advocates, though they too rarely note it, built findings sociologists such as Herbert Gans, Gaye Tuchman, Stuart Hall, Richard Ericson, who critiqued rituals by which news affirms its political authority. Dozens newsroom ethnographers now documented journalists' persistent tendency fall back handful storytelling conventions, reach quickly for number well-worn source cards Rolodex, arrange opponents' quotes delicately choreographed narrative pas de deux (and call it objectivity), limply offer accuracy defensible substitute truth. Iorio's edited book essays, Journalism, implicitly continues this valuable tradition critique, that is book's distinctive strength, Iorio her contributors recognize approached research haphazardly educators, part, neither theorized profession's methods much depth nor taught them with effect. As chapters attest, receiving more attention, within both profession university. include established scholars Clifford Christians Lewis Friedland well experienced hands Jan Schaffer. But most are written respected younger scholars, some significant professional experience. editor, an associate professor Elliott School Communication Wichita State University, brings experience newspaper journalist, educator, consultant Knight-Ridder (Kansas) Eagle. What share, writes, hope coverage can be "expanded enhanced through use qualitative developed sciences. " includes theoretical on. philosophy, history, ethics seven specific case studies, focus groups, interviews, oral ethnography, civic mapping, textual analysis, need science value academic/professional partnerships. …