The quantitative monitoring

First, the study will collect quantitative (i.e. numerical) data. This part of the project will provide a detailed picture of the numbers of women and men in the world's news, the types of story in which they are found, the roles they play in the news etc. This information will be compiled for every news story monitored. For each of the three news media - television, radio and newspapers -  a monitoring guide sets out the areas in which information is needed and the range of answers possible. Monitors will be asked to choose a number (or 'code') that corresponds to their answer, and to enter this code on a coding sheet. Each Monitoring Guide will takes monitors through two step-by-step examples, showing exactly how to select the codes for each news story.

Remember each of the Monitoring Guides - and each of the Coding Sheets - is slightly different, because slightly different information is needed for each medium. To avoid confusion, be sure to read each Monitoring Guide carefully.

The qualitative monitoring

Second, the numbers, or quantitative data, that are generated by the project tell only part of the story. For instance, we might find that women appear in 10 percent of stories about politics. But how do these stories actually portray women? In fact a story about a female politician may fall into as many stereotyped clichés as a story about a beauty queen. To get a more complete picture of news content, the quality of the coverage needs to be analysed. This is the qualitative aspect of the monitoring. We will make a detailed study of some news stories to illustrate basic patterns in the news reporting.

This analysis will be the responsibility of the national and regional co-ordinators - and for this, detailed instructions are found at the end of the monitoring methodology guides package. Every individual monitor however is asked to help identify suitable stories in television, radio and newspapers. The final question in each of the Monitoring Guides gives you guidance on what to bear in mind as you work through each news item.

When you find a story that you think would be useful for further analysis, please send a copy of the clipping or the tape to your national/regional co-ordinator.

The monitoring materials

All this information is included in the monitoring methodology guides presented below as Documents (2) (3) and (4). Please read them thoroughly. Document (5) contains the blank coding sheets for radio, television and print news monitoring. Documents  (6) and (8) are to be completed by national coordinators ONLY. Document (9) is a feedback form to be completed by all monitors.  Do remember to contact your national coordinator with any questions on the monitoring materials or your role as a media monitor.

Document 1.Introduction to the GMMP 2009 2010 Monitoring Methodology (PDF)

Document 2a.The GMMP 2009/2010 Monitoring Methodology Guide for Print (Newspaper) news (PDF)

Document 2b. Quick reference summary sheet for newspaper monitoring (PDF)

Document 3a.The GMMP 2009/2010 Monitoring Methodology Guide for Radio news (PDF)

Document 3b. Quick reference summary sheet for radio news monitoring (PDF)

Document 4a.The GMMP 2009/2010 Monitoring Methodology Guide for Television news (PDF)

Document 4b.Quick reference summary sheet for Television news monitoring (PDF)

Document 5.Blank coding sheets for Radio, Television and Newspaper monitoring (MS Word)

Document 6.The GMMP 2009/2010 Qualitative News Analysis Guide (MS Word)

Document 7a.The GMMP 2009/2010 Monitoring Methodology for Internet News (PDF)

Document 7b.Quick reference summary sheet for Internet news monitoring (PDF)

Document 7c.Blank coding sheet for Internet news monitoring (MS Word)

Document 8.Contextual Information Form (MS Word)