Methodological Applications of Content Analysis in Foreign Policy Analysis

Abstract:

The paper presents an innovative approach to using content analysis as a methodological tool, showing how much this approach depends both on the object of research and on the researcher´s choices. The article examines two doctoral studies that used different content analysis strategies, highlighting their methodological decisions in the context of different research objectives. In the process, the article presents research results that demonstrate how data were constructed. The paper presents important results and insights made by doctoral studies in the areas of foreign policy and South American regional integration. It also reflects on the use of content analysis in International Relations, an area which this analytical tool has not developed as much as in Political Science.

Keywords:
Content analysis; Methodology; Brazilian foreign policy; Human rights; Regional integration; Mercosul