[Air-L] Content Analysis for Web Discussion Boards

[Laura B Nielsen]

Dear Colleagues,
I am looking for reference material for use in my work at EPA. We 
are planning to launch a discussion board with a limited number of 
comment fields. But we also want to analyze discussion content in 
order to better understand the needs and interests of our 
customers--in particular those who come to EPA seeking 
environmental information. 
 
1) Have any of you been teaching about content analysis methods 
lately? If so, what's your favorite reference?
 
2) Has anyone been working on content analysis of discussion 
boards as a research method? 
 
Laura B. Nielsen, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor of Public Policy  
Georgetown Public Policy Institute
3520 Prospect Street, Suite 308F
Washington, DC  20007
WEB http://www.georgetown.edu/faculty/lbn4/            

Program Analyst
Environmental Analysis Division, MC 2842T
Office of Information Analysis and Access
Office of Environmental Information
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(202) 566-0621