Content analysis: review of methods and their applications in nutrition education

Content analysis is a set of qualitative and quantitative methods for collecting and analyzing data from verbal, print, or electronic communication with numerous applications in nutrition education research. Textual information from interviews, focus groups, and open-ended survey questions can be evaluated using content analysis. Selection of method(s) depends on the type(s) and length of material to be analyzed, results desired, and researchers' preferences and technological capabilities. This article reviews options available to content analysts--from manual to fully computerized. Overcoming the challenges inherent in using these methodologies is recommended because of their usefulness in the information-based messaging discipline of nutrition education.