Full Model Answer for COM3706 Assignment 01 (Semester 1 2026); University of South Africa (Unisa); Distinction Guaranteed; Complete Research Proposal: Content Analysis of Political Stories in South African Newspapers; MARCH update.

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COM3706 ASSIGNMENT 01 – SEMESTER 1 2026


COMPLETE MODEL ANSWERS – DISTINCTION GUARANTEED


Research Proposal: Content Analysis of Political Stories in
South African Newspapers




�ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW


Detail Information

Module Code COM3706

Assignment 01

Semester 1 2026

Topic Content analysis of political stories in newspapers

Newspaper Selected The Sowetan

Due Date mid-March.

,TABLE OF CONTENTS


Table of Contents
COM3706 ASSIGNMENT 01 – SEMESTER 1 2026 ...................................................... 1

COMPLETE MODEL ANSWERS – DISTINCTION GUARANTEED ...................... 1

Research Proposal: Content Analysis of Political Stories in South
African Newspapers .......................................................................................................... 1

�ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW ............................................................................................... 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................... 2

1.1 INTRODUCTION [5 MARKS] ...................................................................................... 3

1.2 RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT/MAIN ISSUE [5 MARKS] ................. 4

1.3 SUBPROBLEMS [5 MARKS] ........................................................................................ 5

1.4 LITERATURE REVIEW [10 MARKS] ...................................................................... 7

1.5 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: AGENDA-SETTING THEORY [5
MARKS]......................................................................................................................................... 9

1.6 RESEARCH DESIGN [20 MARKS] .......................................................................... 11

1.6.1 Qualitative and Quantitative Research Designs ................................ 11

, 1.6.2 Why This Research Design is Both Qualitative and Quantitative
.................................................................................................................................................... 12

1.6.3 Data Collection Method .................................................................................... 12

1.6.4 Population and Sampling ................................................................................ 14

1.6.5 Unit of Analysis ..................................................................................................... 14

1.6.6 Data Analysis Method........................................................................................ 15

1.6.7 Flexibility of Research Design ...................................................................... 16

1.7 CONCLUSION [5 MARKS] .......................................................................................... 16

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 17




1.1 INTRODUCTION [5 MARKS]

The purpose of this research proposal is to outline a planned study
investigating how The Sowetan, a prominent South African daily newspaper,
covers political stories in the country. As commissioned by the Institute of
Political Affairs, this research aims to conduct a systematic content analysis to
examine the nature, extent, and framing of political coverage in one of South
Africa's most widely read publications serving the black urban population.

The Sowetan has been selected for this study due to its significant readership
base, its historical role in South African political discourse, and its reputation