Agenda Setting and Framing theories: A methodological review of selected empirical studies

Abstract

This paper is a stand-alone review of selected empirical studies that are grounded in agenda setting and framing theories of media effects with the objective of examining the methodologies employed by the studies so as to see how these can be applied, especially by beginning researchers. Twenty two empirical studies using either of the two theories or a combination of both were purposively selected, and reviewed. Findings indicate that content analysis, survey and the experimental research methods were used to conduct the studies examined in the paper. Therefore, researchers using the agenda setting and framing theories to background their studies will have to take this into consideration and adopt or adapt the most appropriate taking into account their research objectives and resources available. Considering that agenda setting and framing theories focus on media effects, it is recommended that at least two variables, media and audience, be studied by researchers using them as theories to anchor their studies.