The myth of scientism in quantitative communication research methods : ‘content analysis’ and ‘survey’ as models

Abstract EN

Focusing on two frequently used quantitative communication methods, namely, „quantitative content analysis‟ and „surveys‟, this study examines quantitative communication research methods‟ scientism as they are rooted in social studies methodology.

By thoroughly illustrating, explaining, and critically deconstructing of the two methods and their applications in the quantitative social/communication research, the study reveals that the quantitative communication methods are not scientific and if applied they will not yield scientific results.

In other words, these methods‟ scientism, contrary to what their advocates claim, is no more than a myth.