Content Analysis in the First Half of the Twentieth Century

Abstract

This article traces the historical development of content analysis as a method in the social sciences, from its origins in the late nineteenth century to the first decade following the end of the Second World War. The author examines how the methodological toolkit of content analysis evolved under the influence of external factors, including the development and expansion of mass media, the emergence of state propaganda, and wartime demands. Particular attention is paid to the contributions of key figures such as Harold Lasswell and Hans Speier, as well as to the activities of specialized research centers they directed in the United States during the Second World War. The article provides a detailed discussion of various applications of content analysis aimed at identifying propaganda, examining its content, and forecasting an adversary’s actions on the basis of propaganda analysis.  

For citation: Еnin, S. (2026) Content Analysis in the First Half of the Twentieth Century. Russia’s Directions. Vol. 4. No. 3. P. 9–43.

Additional Info

Submitted: June 2, 2026

Reviewed: July 1, 2026

Copyright: © Auhtors, 2026

Distribution: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)