For a variety of reasons, I've decided to illustrate my approach to content analysis of political documents with reference to my experience in the Spring of 1997. The syllabus for that course is given below. To see a student paper produced from the course, go to that written by Jonathan Lipman. According to Northwestern's undergraduate catalog, the C95 research seminar provides students with the chance to conduct original research on specific topics. My seminar this term will focus on computer methods for analyzing textual materials, such as presidential speeches, government documents, party platforms, newspaper editorials, professional publications, and so on.
Every scholar needs to consult sources and retrieve information in the course of research.
Computers can help a great deal in these activities. In fact, computer techniques for handling source material often open up entirely new research opportunities beyond taking notes and managing bibliographies. Content analysis involves systematic study of messages conveyed in natural language text. In political research, it usually results in straightforward tabulation of words and phrases used to communicate between political actors. Often these tabulations are subject to elementary statistical analysis.