Beteiligte: | , |
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In: | Communication Research, 18, 1991, 2, S. 140-173 |
veröffentlicht: |
SAGE Publications
|
Medientyp: | Artikel, E-Artikel |
Umfang: | 140-173 |
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ISSN: |
0093-6502
1552-3810 |
DOI: | 10.1177/009365091018002002 |
veröffentlicht in: | Communication Research |
Sprache: | Englisch |
Schlagwörter: | |
Kollektion: | SAGE Publications (CrossRef) |
<jats:p> This article presents an epistemological view of levels of analysis. According to this view, four types of relationships need to be differentiated: macro-macro, macro-micro, micro-micro, and micro-macro. The two within-level relationships are linked by the two cross-level relationships that, in turn, are explicated by various theories of organizational, institutional, and social processes. Mass communication is thus conceived of as a process from production to consumption that occurs at both micro-individual and macro-social levels. The contributions of this multilevel view of mass communications to theoretical development in the field is illustrated by analyzing three prominent theories in our field: the knowledge gap, cultivation, and the spiral of silence. Finally, the article discusses the available research techniques and strategies for dealing with multilevel research questions. </jats:p> |