Results of two studies indicate that the way in which Likert scale data are scored can make a difference when statistical significance tests are used. The studies raise a number of questions about the use of Likert scales in communication research. (GT)

Reports results of a time-series analysis of daily newspaper circulation trends in South Africa for the years 1958 through 1977; notes that the significant finding is that newspaper circulation has barely kept pace with population growth. (GT)

Data from a study of the impacts of the 1972 presidential campaign on voter behavior support previous contentions that higher reliance on mass media for political purposes is associated with more positive orientations toward the political system, but they contradict more recent evidence that greater television reliance evokes political…

A case study of one newspaper's coverage of the suffrage movement shows that suffrage ideas were reported only after the movement was perceived as legitimate. (Author/FL)

Analysis of the New York "Times's" financial column for the period October 13 to November 13, 1929, reveals that the column did not predict the stock market crash, that it was usually neutral in its financial analyses, and that it was more often optimistic than pessimistic in outlook. (FL)

Indicates that newspapers are as readable today as they were in 1904, although the complexity of language they use has increased. Shows that magazines were significantly more readable than the newspapers published during the same time periods. (RL)

Contradicts previous research, finding that differences in social class status were not significant predictors for the perceived utility of news or advertising. (RL)

Reporters appear to fall into three types according to the way in which they evaluate the credibility of their sources. All types demand corroboration, but they differ on the significance of intuition. (RL)

Reports that the number of Blacks in the newsrooms of 25 major daily newspapers nearly doubled between 1968 and 1978, but that Black news executives and desk people (generally copy readers and editors) were still quite scarce in 1978. (GT)

An analysis of 1,288 editorials published in four prestigious United States daily newspapers between 1967 and 1977 revealed that support for Israel was neither monolithic nor invariable and that the predominant position of the press was one of support for any negotiated peace settlement and denunciation of belligerency by either side. (GT)

A comparison of published and unpublished letters to the editor of a Texas metropolitan daily newspaper revealed that the newspaper published fewer letters in the categories of economics, media, and religion than would be expected, and more letters in the categories of education, law and order, and issues than would be expected. (GT)

A factor analysis of survey responses from 57 church or religion editors of daily newspapers indicated that 18 editors were "neutral" (more concerned about objective reporting than about statements of belief or practices), 28 were "humanists" or "relativists," and 11 were "believers" or…

Reports on a study which compared communication attitudes and mass media behavior among Blacks and Latinos (Chicanos, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans). Interviews with subjects provided data about television viewing and newspaper reading, which were found to be differentially correlated with such variables as age, sex, and education. (SW)

Advocates the more extended treatment of content analysis in political communication research. Develops a fourfold scheme for classifying verbal and nonverbal communication content and illustrates the use of the scheme in political communication research by analysis of the 1960 and 1976 presidential debates. (JMF)

Presents data indicating a geographic imbalance in network news coverage and possible explanations for this situation. Examines implications of this bias on theoretical and policy levels. (JMF)