Return to Normalcy?

Selection/Inclusion of Broadcasts and Publications

Newspapers, newsmagazines, and broadcast news shows were chosen on an ad hoc basis to provide a snapshot of nationally influential media, as well as regional outlets. Diversity within the sample re: audience, ownership and editorial outlook was also a factor in selection.

Newspaper and network news stories were reviewed for three series of days: September 13-15, 2001; November 13-15, 2001; and December 10-12, 2001. Within each phase, the closest broadcast date of weekend talk shows and closest newsstand appearance of newsmagazines determined selection.

During the September 13-15 timeframe, events dictated schedule revisions for network and cable news. However, these findings reflect the broadcasts that appeared during the regularly-scheduled time periods (i.e., 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Eastern time for weekday morning shows; 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern time for evening news, etc.) Because network primetime magazine shows were not presented in a uniform way during this period, a substitution was made. The hour of programming broadcast at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, September 14th, on ABC, CBS, and NBC, constitutes the primetime magazine component for the initial phase of the study.

Sources and Search Terms

Newspaper and news magazine stories were downloaded from the NEXIS database. In order to cast the widest possible net, broad language was employed. The original search term from September was appended as appropriate in November, and again in December, as dictated by changing story lines. The following reflects the final comprehensive statement as utilized for December stories.

(Bin Laden) or (World Trade Center) or (WTC) or (Pentagon) or (airline!) or (terror!) or (anthrax) or (Afghan!) or (Taliban) or (Pakistan) or (Kabul) or (Northern Alliance) or (Al Qaida) or (Al Qaeda) or (U.S. military) or (U.S. forces) or (tribunal)
Researchers screened newspaper stories and eliminated those that appeared in the business, sports, entertainment, or lifestyle sections. For both newspapers and newsmagazines, letters to the editor were eliminated. (Note: when the NEXIS database provided nearly identical stories from different editions of one newspaper, the longer of the two stories was coded.)

Broadcast news show transcripts were downloaded in their entirety from the NEXIS database when available. In limited cases, professional transcript services or network websites served as sources for show transcripts.

NOTE: Fox transcripts were not made available until after all other coding was complete; as such, they are to be used for comparison purposes only. Results reported for particular time periods, genres, or project totals do not reflect FOX broadcasts.

Screening and Inclusion

A one-fifth rule was established for inclusion across all media. Only stories where one-fifth (20%) or more of the article was specific to the events of September 11, ensuing U.S. action or events, or background re: terrorism, terrorists, etc., were included.

Coding

Researchers analyzed each news story in its entirety, working through the sequential variables. Project Rules for Coders were established prior to beginning that process, and were applied during all phases of coding.

Intercoder Reliability

Intercoder reliability measures the rate at which two coders, operating independently of one another, code the same material in the same way. Throughout the project, a researcher working off-site served as the control coder for print stories, while a senior project director worked as the control coder for broadcast stories. Intercoder testing occurred throughout the coding process, and no significant systematic errors were identified.