What type of research aims to analyze a form of communication?

Content analysis research is designed to systematically analyze the content of communication, whether it be written, spoken, or visual. This type of research seeks to quantify and categorize the various elements within the communication, allowing researchers to identify patterns, themes, and trends. By doing this, content analysis provides insights into how messages are constructed and understood, the frequency of certain types of content, and the overall impact of the communication on its audience.

In contrast, available data research generally involves utilizing pre-existing data sources to gather insights and does not focus specifically on the analysis of communication forms. Case study research is typically an in-depth examination of a single individual, group, or context rather than a broader analysis of communication content. Inferential statistics, on the other hand, deals primarily with making predictions or inferences about a population based on sample data, rather than analyzing communication itself. Thus, content analysis is distinct in its specific focus on examining and interpreting communication.