About the Database

Idea & Aims

The open access database compiles, systematizes and evaluates relevant content-analytical variables of communication and political science research areas and topics.

The database offers a starting point for the operationalization of content-analytical questions and thus, provides a basis for standardization (where possible and useful) and also comparability of content analytic studies. Furthermore, the database aims to contribute to equal opportunities between all researchers in this field by providing free access to important resources.

Operationalizations were selected that were timely, relevant (indicator: citation frequency, expert opinion), accessible, and/or reported quality indicators (reliability). Doca uses editorial and peer review.

Ideas & Suggestions for Variables

The open access database is intended to grow into a comprehensive research tool for variables. Suggestions for further variables can therefore be submitted to the database (mfg@ikmz.uzh.ch) at any time.


Fact Sheet “DOCA – Database of Variables for Content Analysis”. On the relevance, objective, content and participation possibilities of the database of variables for standardized content analysis:

Oehmer-Pedrazzi, F., Kessler, S. H., Humprecht, E., Sommer, K., & Castro, L. Steckbrief «DOCA – Database of Variables for Content Analysis». Zur Relevanz, Zielstellung, Inhalt und Partizipationsmöglichkeiten der Datenbank für Operationalisierungen der standardisierten Inhaltsanalyse. Studies in Communication Sciences, 23(3), 391–395. https://doi.org/10.24434/j.scoms.2023.03.4415


Copyright & Licensing

Authors retain copyright in their work. All database entries are licensed under the “Creative Commons Attribution – NonCommercial – NoDerivatives 4.0 International” license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). Doca does not charge any publishing fees.

Acknowledgement

"An idea must be able to become reality, or it is only a vain soap bubble" (Berthold Auerbach). The fact that the database did not remain just a soap bubble, but could be realized, is above all the merit of the competent and committed authors who supported us not only with their expertise, but also at the Author Workshop 2019 in Zurich with critical feedback and motivating words on the overall project. They deserve our greatest thanks.

The launch of DOCA would not have been possible without the support of our editorial assistant Miriam S. Cano Pardo. The technical infrastructure for the variable database is kindly provided by HOPE of the University of Zurich. Margit Dellatorre and Martin Brändle were available to answer all our questions with technical expertise and know-how. The professional layout for the PDF download of the database articles was created by Petra Dollinger, Graphic Designer of SIVIC Scientific Visualisation and Visual Communication at the University of Zurich. Francesca Müller and Mirjam Baumann supported us as a student assistants. They were able to be funded by grants from the "Free Knowledge" Fellow Program, which is supported by Wikimedia Deutschland, the Stifterverband and the Volkswagen Foundation, as well as by support from the IKMZ - Institute for Communication Studies and Media Research at the University of Zurich. The Fellow Program "Free Knowledge" also helped us to deepen our knowledge about opportunities, challenges and best practices of Open Science. We would like to thank Springer Verlag, and in particular Ms. Emig-Roller, for their support and advice, as well as for agreeing to link the handbook to the database. Our editors' meeting and the authors' workshop were generously made possible by the Graduate Campus of the University of Zurich.