Quantitative Content Research Articles

The Effects of Western Culture on Rites of Passage among the Hehe and Bena Societies: Case Study in Iringa Rural District

This study investigates how Western culture impacts the rites of passage among the Hehe and Bena communities in the Iringa Rural district, revealing a complex relationship between traditional customs and modern influences. Interviews with community members, including elders and youth, show a strong commitment to cultural preservation despite economic pressures and lifestyle changes. The findings highlight the need to adapt traditional rites by integrating modern elements to maintain relevance for younger generations, fostering cultural evolution. Western media and educational advancements significantly shape local practices, leading to a hybridization of traditions that reflects both resilience and adaptability. The study suggests that cultural preservation efforts, educational programs, and media engagement are vital to sustaining traditional practices within a modern context, offering insights into a balanced approach to cultural development. In methodology, the study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative research techniques to explore the effects of Western culture on the rites of passage among the Hehe and Bena societies in Iringa Rural. A case study design was utilized to gather data from various sources, including interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys. Respondents, representing different community groups, were selected using both simple random and purposive sampling methods. Data were analyzed using SPSS for quantitative insights and content analysis for qualitative data, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the cultural changes occurring in the region.

Making or Faking Depolarization? The Antipopulist Parties’ Construction of the Populism/Antipopulism Divide on Social Media in the Czech Republic

AbstractPopulism has gained significant attention recently, yet there is less understanding of strategies to confront it. This study focuses on the communication of these reactions by examining the populism/antipopulism divide created by populist parties’ challengers. Antipopulists present themselves as an antithesis of populism, offering an alternative to populism by constructing two identities: populist identity (“them”) and antipopulist identity (“us”). While antipopulism is argued to be depolarizing, based on civility, calmness, and knowledge, populism is portrayed as polarizing, using emotional and irrational language. However, we know little about the content of these identities and how these identities are presented stylistically. This study examines the content of the populism/antipopulism divide in the messages of antipopulist actors and their association with specific communication styles. Our study utilizes a quantitative content analysis of an original dataset of posts on Facebook and Instagram (n = 1291) before the 2021 elections in Czechia, along with an automated frequency analysis of antipopulists’ posts (n = 44,877) from September 2017 to December 2021. Our results suggest that the divide was increasingly present in the antipopulists’ messages, and it was associated with the strategic use of appeals to negativity, emotions, knowledge, and rationality. This indicates that even though antipopulists claim to have a rational and fact-based approach, the style of their communication reveals an emotional component, contributing to the overall level of polarization.

Determination of the quantitative content of volatile components in ethanol-containing products

A method is proposed for correctly determining the quantitative content of volatile components, including ethyl alcohol, in alcohol-containing products. The method is based on the use of sample density measurement data and chromatographic data for determining the quantitative content of volatile compounds. It is shown that in a number of cases the difference between the values of the volumetric content of ethyl alcohol in alcoholic products, calculated according to the interstate standard GOST 3639 and according to the proposed method, exceeds by several times the declared measurement error limit of 0.1 % by volume. The results obtained can be used to update state, interstate and international standards for quality control and safety of alcoholic and alcohol-containing products.

Challenges Newspapers Face When Reporting Gender-based Violence in Tanzania

The traditional media plays an important role as an agent of change, an agenda setter for various societal concerns, and a watchdog for whatever goes astray. Vested with such roles, the media, therefore, contributes greatly to the fight against Gender-based Violence (GBV) through the information published in newspapers, televisions, and all other media facilities. In Tanzania, newspapers report incidences of GBV to influence unacceptable behaviour and practices to be abandoned and to adapt to norms and values that are acceptable in society. This study examined the challenges newspapers face when reporting GBV in Tanzania. Despite the anecdotal evidence that the media in Tanzania and some other countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Nigeria plays a major role in reporting GBV complementing the existing policies, strategies, plans, and efforts of various stakeholders who are on the front line in fighting GBV, the media faces various challenges that render it ineffective in playing its role of being an agent to reduce and or erode the problem. The study was conducted in Tanzania covering Unguja and Pemba (Zanzibar) and the regions of Mwanza, Kigoma, Dodoma, Iringa, Mtwara, and Tanga (Tanzania Mainland). The cross-sectional, and triangulation approach was applied to gather the required information while employing both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods and analysis. The study had a total sample size of 161 respondents, including 84 respondents for quantitative data and 77 (seven editors, seven reporters, and 63 media audiences) for qualitative data. The study applied univariate techniques to analyse quantitative data and content and thematic analysis for the qualitative data. Findings from the study revealed that there were seven key challenges that newspapers face when reporting GBV in Tanzania. All these challenges can negatively affect the contribution of media in eliminating this atrocity. The challenges were scarcity of GBV-educated and specialized reporters, lack of investment in investigative journalism on Gender-based Violence issues, peer pressure not to report the GBV cases involving influential people’s family members and or relatives, and lack of urgency to GBV news. Others were threats directed to GBV reporters from the perpetrators and or perpetrators' relatives, lack of timely and accurate GBV data as well as settlements of GBV cases out of court. The study concludes by proposing viable recommendations to reduce GBV in Tanzania effectively. It is recommended that to contribute effectively to the reduction of the GBV in the country, the media should initiate and sustain in-house GBV reporting training for reporters and editors hired without specialization in GBV, stakeholders in the fight against GBV among NGOs, government, and media invest in investigative journalism with special emphasis in GBV to unearth the hidden issues. media organizations/outlets to promote adherence to journalism ethics in general and GBV reporting ethics specifically, media houses/outlets should consider establishing special GBV pages and pullout to improve urgency to GBV news, the government should guarantee the safety of GBV reporters/editors/sources, GBV data custodian improve availability of timely and accurate GBV data and improved working collaboration between GBV stakeholders and media to promote access to justice among survivors and hence minimize settlements of GBV cases out of court.

Witnessing the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey through YouTube documentaries

ABSTRACT The earthquakes that occurred in Turkey on 6 February 2023 have been one of the most important disasters of recent history. In the aftermath of the earthquake, various segments of society wanted to witness the devastation first-hand, and YouTube documentaries became one of the popular forms of this testimony. The aim of this study is to map YouTube documentaries about these devastating earthquakes, focusing on the content and creators, and thus to draw a framework for the multidimensional situation of the disaster based on this witnessing. The documentary content shared on YouTube during the year following the earthquake was analysed through quantitative content analysis, categorizing the predefined video features of the platform and codes related to documentaries and documentary makers. The data shows that most of the documentaries were created in a participatory mode and a significant increase in the number of documentaries uploaded in the immediate aftermath and on the anniversary of the earthquake. The study also underlines the scope and diversity of the desire to witness the major disaster, while documentaries with an oppositional approach that criticize official discourses are associated with higher levels of audience engagement.

Social and political development: out of conceptual mazes and into political agenda-setting

The article presents the results of the analysis and systematization of discourses describing the dynamics and key areas of social development. The purpose of the study is to determine the guidelines and priorities in discussions on development that dominate the research and expert agenda, and to identify the ideas and meanings that are invested in this concept by actors participating in public discussions and political goal-setting. The research methodology is based on the structural and functional approach, and on a comparative evaluation of the target settings present in the current expert discussion and in public policymaking. A quantitative content analysis of a sample of EU documents defining priorities of interaction with third countries to achieve development goals is offered as an illustrative example. The conclusions are presented in the form of a conceptual tree constructed by correlating the main concepts that exist in the research and expert field dealing with social development discourses and their political implications. According to the results of the study, the ideological appeal of narratives circulating in the public space of the “developed world” and the normative projection of this agenda worldwide transform discursive power into discursive hegemony through “green colonialism” and other forms of “promoting development”. The authors take a critical approach to the monopolization of the expert and political field by the concept of “sustainable development” which is widely regarded as a politically correct approach and a universalist political attitude. An ambiguous understanding of “social development” beyond the progressive paradigm and purely normative approaches in the social sciences makes the need to clarify this concept all the more urgent. The paper proposes to interpret “political development” as a multidimensional process leading to the complication of political interactions and not limited to institutional change, and “politics of development” as a system of management practices correlated with the public demand for security and social well-being. The current research agenda in this field in Russia aims to promote the analysis of the subjective dimension of politics, with a focus on identity studies and on evaluating intangible development resources.

Examining the Prevalence of Hegemonic Masculine Traits (HTMs) in Alcohol Video Advertisements: A Content Analysis of Ghanaian Manufactured Beer and Bitters

Drawing on the Hegemonic Masculinity Theory, a culturally idealized form of masculinity that legitimizes men’s dominant position over women and other marginalized men, this quantitative content analysis investigates the prevalence of hegemonic masculine traits (HMTs) in 182 Ghanaian-manufactured beer and bitters video ads sourced from YouTube and Facebook. It also investigates the association between the HMTs and the type of alcohol. Findings reveal that bonding, dominance, sexuality, successfulness, and aggressiveness are common HMTs in alcohol advertisements. Significant associations exist between bonding and aggressiveness with beer and sexuality with bitters. The study sheds light on how these ads reinforce gender norms and male dominance, especially over women. Implications include ethical concerns for advertisers, regulatory considerations, and insights for businesses entering the Ghanaian alcohol market. Limitations involve the study’s focus on video ads and call for future research on consumer perceptions and behaviors.

”Decolonization“ discourse in anti-russian telegram channels aimed at north Caucasus (a content analysis)

In recent years social media has turned out to be a new way of controlling minds of people and forming the way they view the world. North Caucasus has always been a complex multi-ethnic and multi-religious region. Territorial disputes and old (but not forgotten) conflicts make North Caucasus easy to try manipulating to stir it away from Russia. The idea of ”decolonization“ of Russia has resurfaced again after the Special military operation. The article presents an analysis of Telegram channels which are connected by anti-Russian rhetoric, promote “decolonization” and are focused on North Caucasus. The social graph method is used to create visual representation of the network of channels and connections between them. The quantitative content analysis method was used to analyze the text. We were able to identify five main thematic categories: “Special military operation in Ukraine”, “Islam”, “pan-Caucasian identity”, “history”, “genocide of the peoples of the North Caucasus”. The main purpose of these publications is to create a negative image of Russia, as well as to create an image of the oppressed North Caucasus colonized peoples. The level of influence of these posts on the real population of the region is the main question. We suggest that there are several information spaces: internal regional (news channels and local bloggers) and external (all the anti-Russian channels). It will be possible to talk about their merger only in two cases: if permanent connections emerge between them or if the thematic content of publications becomes sufficiently similar.

Assessment of the risks of impacts of heavy metals and arsenic entering the human body with herbal medicines

Introduction. Liquid dosage forms based on medicinal plant raw materials are very convenient to use and must meet safety requirements. In the context of harmonization of pharmacopoeial requirements, determining the total content of heavy metals in tinctures is not enough. Risk assessment is necessary to calculate the permissible concentrations of heavy metals in tinctures.Aim. To assess the safety of using tinctures in terms of the content of heavy metals and arsenic within the framework of a risk-oriented strategy.Materials and methods. The objects of the study were 20 samples of valerian and motherwort tinctures manufactured by various enterprises. The quantitative content of 15 elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sr, Tl, V, Zn) was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.Results and discussion. The concentrations of elements in tinctures varied in the range of 0–1.84 μg/g. Manganese and zinc were found in maximum quantities, while cadmium, molybdenum and vanadium were found in minimum quantities. Mercury was not detected in any of the samples. The content of toxic elements in the tinctures did not exceed the levels of permissible concentrations regulated by the normative documentation of the Russian Federation. Total hazard indices (HI) were calculated at the levels of the median and 90th percentile of the content of elemental toxicants. In the tinctures, they were, respectively: valerian – 0.016 · 10–5 and 0.027 · 10–5, motherwort – 0.022 · 10–5 and 0.028 · 10–5. The obtained values were significantly lower than 1.0. Calculation of individual carcinogenic risk (CR) of elemental carcinogens (Cd, As, Cr, Pb) entering the body with tinctures of valerian and motherwort showed that the CR values were in the range of 4.9 · 10–9–6.84 · 10–7, which did not exceed the permissible threshold value (1 · 10–6).Conclusions. The actual content of toxic elements (Pb, Cd, As, Hg) in tinctures of valerian and motherwort was 0–0.006 μg/g, which did not exceed the levels of permissible concentrations. Calculations of non-carcinogenic risks when using tinctures of valerian and motherwort showed that the total impact of 15 studied elements on human health when consuming a daily dose of tinctures is characterized as permissible, periodic monitoring of the content of non-standardized elements in samples of herbal medicines is not required. It was established that the studied tinctures of valerian and motherwort are not oncogenic factors and do not require risk reduction measures.

Scope, Findability, and Quality of Information About Music-Based Interventions in Oncology: Quantitative Content Analysis of Public-Facing Websites at National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers.

Music-based interventions (MBIs) are evidence-based, nonpharmacological treatments that include music therapy (MT) delivered by board-certified music therapists, as well as music services (MS) delivered by other health professionals and volunteers. Despite MBI's growing evidence base in cancer symptom management, it remains unclear how MBI-related information is presented to the public. Over 80% of people with cancer use the internet to find health-related information. In the United States, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) identifies certain Cancer Centers (CCs) as NCI-designated CCs or Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs) based on their excellence in research. As NCI-designated CCs and CCCs are considered the gold standard in cancer care, their websites are viewed by the public as important sources of information. We aimed to determine scope, findability, and quality of MBI-related information on public-facing websites of NCI-designated CCs/CCCs. We reviewed 64 NCI-designated CC/CCC websites (excluding basic laboratories) between November 2022 and January 2023. We extracted data on the scope of information: (1) type of MBI offered (MT or MS), (2) format (individual, group), (3) method of delivery (in person or remotely delivered), (4) setting (inpatient or outpatient), (5) target population (pediatric or adult), (6) MBI practitioner qualifications, (7) clinical indications or benefits, (8) presence of testimonials, (9) cost, and (10) scheduling or referral information. We also extracted data on findability (ie, presence of direct link or drop-down menu and the number of clicks to locate MBI-related information). Based on the scope and findability data, we rated the information quality as high, moderate, or low using an adapted scale informed by prior research. Thirty-one (48%) of the 64 CC/CCCs described MBIs on their websites. Of these, 6 (19%) mentioned both MT and MS, 16 (52%) mentioned MT only, and 9 (29%) mentioned MS only. The most common format was hybrid, involving individuals and groups (n=20, 65%). The most common delivery method was in person (n=16, 52%). The most common target population was adults (n=12, 39%). The most common MBI practitioners were board-certified music therapists (n=21, 68%). The most described indications or benefits were psychological. Twenty-eight (90%) websites lacked testimonials, and 26 (84%) lacked cost information. Twenty-six (84%) websites provided scheduling or referral information. MBI-related information was found with an average of 4 (SD 1) clicks. Nine (29%) websites were of high quality, 18 (58%) were moderate, and 4 (13%) were low. Based on public websites, MBIs were most commonly delivered in person by board-certified music therapists to outpatient and inpatient adults, using individual and group formats to provide psychological benefits. The findability and quality of this information should be improved to promote the dissemination of MBIs for cancer symptom management.

Portrayal of risk information and its impact on audiences' risk perception during the Covid-19 pandemic: A multi-method approach.

Over the last years, infectious diseases have been traveling across international borders faster than ever before, resulting in major public health crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Given the rapid changes and unknown risks that mark such events, risk communication faces the challenge to raise awareness and concern among the public without creating panic. Drawing on the social amplification of risk framework-a concept that theorizes how and why risks are amplified or attenuated during the (1) transfer of risk information (by, for instance, news media) and (2) audiences' interpretation and perception of these information-we were interested in the portrayal of risk information and its impact on audiences' risk perception over the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Germany. We therefore conducted a quantitative content analysis of a major public and private television (TV) newscast (N=321) and combined it with survey data (two-wave panel survey, t1: N=1378 and t2: N=1061). Our results indicate that TV news (as a major information source at that time) were characterized by both risk-attenuating and risk-amplifying characteristics, although risk-amplifying attributes were particularly pronounced by the private TV newscast. Notably, those who only used private TV news between both waves showed the highest perceived severity at time 2. However, the interaction effect of time and use of public and/or private TV news was only significant for perceived susceptibility. Overall, more research is needed to examine the effects of different types of media and changes in risk perceptions over time.

Interparliamentary cooperation in the EU in the face of the war in Ukraine

AbstractThe study explains how interparliamentary cooperation (IPC) contributed to maintaining unity in the European Union's (EU) response to the Russian–Ukrainian war. A theoretical framework is derived from the concepts of Crum's and Fossum's multilevel parliamentary field and Christopher Lord's theory on the role of parliamentary cooperation in the external relations of the EU. The empirical material for the qualitative and quantitative content analysis covers 25 IPC documents adopted between March 2022 and September 2023. Findings indicate that national parliaments have actively used IPC forums in the EU to address the war in Ukraine, emphasizing EU unity and collective actions over national concerns. Maintaining unity in the EU is highlighted as essential for managing and implementing decisions, especially given the likelihood of the Ukraine conflict becoming a prolonged crisis.

Exploring the Development of Safety Culture among Physicians with Text Mining of Patient Safety Reports: A Retrospective Study.

Safety culture development is essential for patient safety in healthcare institution. Perceptions of patient safety and cultural changes are shown up in patient safety reports, however, were rarely investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the perception of physicians and to explore the development of safety culture using quantitative content analysis for patient safety reports. A retrospective analysis of free descriptions of harmful patient safety reports submitted by physicians was performed. Natural language processing and text analysis were conducted using the 'KH Coder'. A co-occurrence analysis was performed in each period to identify and analyze the safety concepts. The study period was grouped into three for comparison. The patient safety reports from physicians were collected between April 2004 and March 2020. Of these, 3351 reports were harmful; 839 reports were included in period 1, 1016 reports in period 2, and 1496 reports in period 3. Natural language processing identified 316 307 words in the free descriptions of 3351 reports. We identified seven concepts from the cluster in co-occurrence analysis as follows: 'explanation of adverse event to patients and families,' 'central venous catheter,' 'intraoperative procedure and injury,' 'minimally invasive surgery,' 'life-threatening events,' 'blood loss,' and 'medical emergency team and critical care.' These seven concepts showed significant differences among the three periods, except for 'blood loss'. The 'explanation of adverse event to patients and families' decreased in proportion from 11.3% to 8.8% (p<0.05). The 'central venous catheter' decreased from 17.3% to 11.3% (p<0.01). Meanwhile, 'minimally invasive surgeries' and 'intraoperative procedures' increased from 3.9% to 12.9% (p<0.01) and from 10.8% to 14.6% (p<0.05), respectively. Focusing on patients' events, 'life-threatening events' decreased from 13.0% to 8.1% (p<0.01); however, 'medical emergency teams and critical care' increased from 3.3% to 10.6% (p<0.01). Free description in patient safety reports is useful for evaluating the safety culture. Co-occurrence analysis revealed multiple concepts of physicians' perceptions. Quantitative content analysis revealed changes in perceptions and attitudes, and a disclosure policy of adverse events and priority of patient care appeared with the development of safety culture.

Evolving social values: Intersectional Analysis of Same-sex and Interracial Couples in Magazine Advertisements

This study used a quantitative content analysis and qualitative image analysis to explore the representation and intersectionality of same-sex and opposite-sex couples with interracial and intraracial couples in advertisements from Canadian Living, Châtelaine, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Men’s Health, Reader’s Digest, and Sports Illustrated magazines between January 2021 to March 2024. Observations collected from a sample of 208 advertisements depicting two or more adults were used to tentatively suggest dominant Canadian social values towards same-sex and interracial couples. Advertisement images were coded for gender, race, the activity depicted, the physical touch between adults, and the presence of children. Results showed that representation of same-sex couples, both interracial and intraracial, was higher than the proportion reported in Canada in 2016. Similarly, the representation of interracial couples, both same-sex and opposite- sex, was higher than the proportion reported in Canada in 2021. These two findings suggest growing acceptance of same-sex relationships and interracial relationships. Interracial couples involving a White female partner occurred far more often than those involving a White male partner, suggesting social disapproval of unions between White women and visible minorities may no longer prevail. However, in advertisements with interracial or intraracial couples, depictions of physical intimacy favoured couples that were of the opposite sex. Advertisements with same-sex couples displaying intimacy were more often intraracial than interracial. Displays of intimacy from same-sex couples were almost exclusively between two women, and no interracial couples were engaged in very intimate touch. Results of the intersectional analysis finds a bias favouring intraracial, opposite-sex couples over both interracial, same-sex couples and interracial, opposite-sex couples unless the couples were engaged in simple touch, conveying friendship over intimacy. These biases suggest social approval of interracial relationships and same-sex relationships as long as they appear superficial or casual and potential social disapproval of relationships that are both interracial and same-sex. Only four advertisements depicted children with couples, and these showed a bias favouring opposite-sex, intraracial couples. The overall results from this study indicate that although there is increased representation of same-sex couples and interracial couples, advertisements may continue to reflect and perpetuate heteronormative and intraracial social values in concepts of relationships and family.

Investigation of Fires Occurring in Hospitals between 2019-2023 in Türkiye: A Quantitative Content Analysis

Fires are one of the most important dangers for hospital buildings. The aim of the study is to examine the hospital fires occurred between 2019-2023 in Turkey. In the study, fires in public and private hospitals operating in Turkey between 2019 and 2023 were examined. In this cross-sectional study, news about fires in hospitals in Turkey were obtained from the archives of 7 national and 3 local news agencies using the search terms "fire" and "hospital" in Turkish. Quantitative content analysis was used to evaluate news texts. Out of a total of 76 hospital fires, 3 resulted in deaths caused by fire, leading to a total of 16 patient fatalities. Additionally, in all fires, a total of 99 individuals, including both patients and employees, required medical treatment due to the fire. In 19 of the fires, patients had to be evacuated due to exposure to either flames or smoke. The highest number of hospital fires occured in İstanbul. While the cause of 28 fires remains unknown, 27 fires were caused by electricity. Hospitals should prioritize fire prevention measures due to the potential losses and difficulties in evacuation. Regular checks of the hospital's electrical installations and devices should be carried out, as well as capacity assessments for new devices and expansions of the building. It is also recommended to keep emergency and disaster plans and teams updated for possible fire situations, increase employee knowledge, and conduct drills.

Beyond formal politics: the epistemic facet of business power

Abstract This article introduces “epistemic business power” as a distinct facet of corporate influence. Epistemic business power refers to the strategic communication of firms to influence the perceptions and beliefs of policymakers, experts, media, and the public regarding which issues, goals, norms, methods, and instruments to be politically considered. Rather than influencing decision-making and policy formulation directly, this form of power enables firms to intermediate the anticipatory dynamics of structural forms of business power and shape issue salience as well as the definition and recognition of topics as political problems. The article explores the scope conditions of epistemic business power, detailing the interaction of material aspects, corporate communication and issue salience dynamics. Based on quantitative and qualitative content as well as reception analyses, ownership data and interviews, a case study of the world’s largest asset manager BlackRock illustrates how today’s finance capital can use epistemic channels with regard to fundamental questions about the role of state capacity and private enterprise in capitalist democracies. By foregrounding the political nature of corporate public relations, the conceptual endeavor and its empirical illustration contribute to a deeper understanding of corporate power and its multifaceted role in shaping politics in capitalist democracies.

What does it mean to “do your own research?” A comparative content analysis of DYOR messages in Instagram and Facebook posts about reproductive health, food, and vaccines

Calls to “do your own research” (DYOR) on social media promote a range of claims, from expert-recommended treatments to conspiracy theories. Exploring how the slogan is used offers insight into how individuals navigate concerns about information accuracy in an abundant but low-trust media ecosystem. This quantitative content analysis investigates how DYOR messages in Facebook and Instagram posts about reproductive health, food and diet, and vaccination are used to raise alarms, promote personal agency, and disclaim responsibility. We additionally examine how DYOR messages are associated with content including risk information and product promotion. While DYOR messages sometimes raise alarms about suspected conspiracies and misinformation, more often they advocate for personal agency and education, encouraging people to become as informed as possible to make the best decisions for themselves. In this way, DYOR messages promote individual responsibility for navigating information risks and reflect wider concerns about (mis-)information and distrust of institutions.

The devil‐angel shift in times of crisis: How Swiss scientists used policy narratives during the COVID‐19 pandemic

AbstractThis paper studies how scientists participated in policy debates during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Switzerland not only by telling facts but also by telling stories. It combines insights from Narrative Policy Framework and science communication literature with a conceptualization of scientific advice to study how scientists used narratives and the devil‐angel shift narrative strategy to communicate about policies and problems. Quantitative content analysis of Swiss newspaper articles shows that in statements with problem advice scientists use more narratives than in statements with policy advice and that the devil‐angel shift score for problem advice is significantly lower for narratives with problem advice. Overall, the research shows that problem advice is a good predictor for the use of the devil shift. However, when scientists used narratives with policy advice, they often followed a negative narrative strategy that also highlights problems.

Application of Content Analysis in Research of Political Discourse

Content analysis is one of the most frequently applied methods for the research of various forms of discourse, including political discourse. As a research technique, it was developed in studies on communication and is now frequently used in linguistics, for example, in text analysis, systematic studies of written text or transcribed speech, as well as in research on nontextual message content. The following article deals with the application of content analysis in research into political discourse and discusses the crucial concepts of the research method. Specifically, it describes the manifest and latent content of political texts and presents two notions particularly useful in the evaluation of content analysis, i.e., ‘reliability’ and ‘validity.’ Additionally, two broad approaches to content analysis are discussed. The first is qualitative content analysis, and the second is quantitative content analysis.

The Complex of Steroid Hormones in Invertebrate Hydrobionts

The presence of a complex of biologically active steroid compounds (BASC) – hydrocortisone, corticosterone, progesterone, testosterone and estrogens (vertebrate hormones) in invertebrate hydrobionts of different phylogenetic levels was revealed in the experiments. The features of the quantitative content of BASC in different organs/tissues of hydrobionts and their changes at different stages of development are shown. The level of BASC in organisms or their organs is largely due to their own steroidogenesis, but at the same time, organisms can accumulate exogenous steroid compounds. The adaptive role of ALS in some invertebrates in changing conditions of the aquatic environment has been found. The similarity of the concentration of steroid compounds in different groups of bionts leads to the idea of a certain “physiological constant” of this complex of compounds in all organisms.