A 10-Year Content Analysis of Original Research Articles Published in Health Communication and Journal of Health Communication (2000–2009)

Abstract

This study presents data from a content analysis of original research articles published in Health Communication and Journal of Health Communication from 2000 to 2009. The authors coded 776 articles using categories that identified health topics, theory, population characteristics, and methods used in each study. Distinctions between the published research in Health Communication and Journal of Health Communication are highlighted. Across both journals, findings demonstrated articles sometimes lack racial demographic information, primarily perform research in the United States, rely heavily on survey data, and often lack a theoretical framework. The top physical health topic addressed across both journals was cancer, and the top non–physical health topic addressed was the role of media in health. Journals displayed differences in several areas and those differences often mirrored each journal's stated objectives. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for expanding health communication research to be reflective of issues salient to public health within the United States and around the world.

Notes

Note. This information was taken from a data set of N = 726 (363 from Health Communication and 363 from Journal of Health Communication).

^aThese numbers represent the average percentage of a given population used by articles that reported demographic information.

*Differences significant at p < .01.

Note. Percentages are taken out of a denominator of 691 for research location (studies where a location could be reasonably determined. For example, a content analysis of online postings would not have a target country; 347 for Health Communication and 344 for Journal of Health Communication) and 623 for sample population (studies that used human samples; 322 for Health Communication and 301 for Journal of Health Communication).

*Differences significant at p < .05.

Note. These percentages are out of a denominator of 726 (363 from Health Communication and 363 from Journal of Health Communication). In addition, reliability was not assessed for experiment or quasi-experiment because these variables were calculated from other codes. Experimental design was defined as study with a posttest only or pre- and posttest, a control or comparison group, and randomization. Quasi-experimental design was defined as a study with a posttest only or pre- and posttest design, and a control or comparison group with no randomization.

*Differences significant at p = .05.

**Differences significant at p < .01.

¹Theory was coded based on if the generation of research materials (e.g., an intervention) was guided by theory, research questions or hypothesis were driven by theory, methods were designed to code for theoretical principles in a content analysis, or the manuscript sought to alter or advance a new theory.

²For the demographic questions, readers will notice that the Cohen's kappa reliabilities are all zero. These items were coded on the basis of the percentage of a certain demographic in the study. Reliabilities were obtained on the basis of whether the coders found the same percentage, which created rarely occurring variables (marked by when the coders disagreed). Cohen's kappa, and other reliability measures that correct for chance agreement, can be ” … regarded as a very conservative test, because it overcorrects for chance agreement; especially in coding situations in which there are few options on a variable and when coders choose one of those options very frequently” (Potter & Levine-Donnerstein, 2009, p. 278). Hence, variables without variance cannot covary and, therefore cannot be assessed for reliability. As a result of this limitation, percent agreement is listed alongside Cohen's kappa for demographic variables.

Note. A total of 106 content analyses were coded (61 from Journal of Health Communication and 45 from Health Communication).

Note. These totals do not equal to 100. They are based on the physical health topics covered by the 502 articles that addressed a physical health topic (206 from Health Communication and 296 from Journal of Health Communication).

Note. A total of 144 articles dealt with cancer (88 from Journal of Health Communication and 56 from Health Communication).

Note. Totals do not equal to 100. They are based on the non–physical health topics covered by the 617 articles that addressed a non–physical health topic (282 from Health Communication and 335 from Journal of Health Communication), with a single article being able to address up to two non–physical health topics.

Note. Differences between non–physician health umbrella topics are significant at p < .01. Totals do not equal to 100. They are based on the non–physical health topics covered by the 617 articles that addressed a non–physical health topic (282 from Health Communication and 335 from Journal of Health Communication).