Sport and Social Issues: Researchers vs Journalists

Social science researchers and media journalists use different approaches to sport and social issues. An example of this can be seen in the “publication journalism” practice by O’Neill and Mulready (2014) and the media article by Lopiano (2004). In the social science research publication more relevant subject knowledge, statistics and logic is included along with a high level of subject specific language and academic writing. This is in contrast to the media article where the journalist may find it difficult to apply academic writing as the target audience may not be as well educated. In conclusion to this, research journals are aimed at people with an interest in a specific area and who have adequate knowledge of the subject whereas media coverage is aimed at the general public who may be reading about an issue for the first time, thus meaning the author may have to include suggestive or sympathetic language styles. Another difference between the two approaches is the use of references, media publications do not always include previous research and cite specific work. Media articles, for example in appendix 1’s “Low Female Sports Coverage In Media Due to Gender Bias” are simpler written by using more emotive language to engage the reader whilst using a modest range of vocabulary so the general population can understand the point being made. This is a divergence to scientific publications which are more scientifically targeted. Media articles have a higher influence on public opinion as newspapers and magazines are much more accessible than scholar-written scientific journals which have to be subscribed to most of the time. A more obvious difference in approach between social science research and journalists in terms of females in sport, is the use of images and visuals to attract attention from the reader and portray a simpler argument. Godoy-Pressland and Griggs (2014) highlight this as a limitation for future research by “explicitly sexualising sports women”.
Media articles are generally a lot shorter in length than scientific journals in order to maintain concentration and simplicity for the reader whereas journals include an abstract, a general background to the specific subject, relevant data and statistics followed by a conclusion and discussion.
Media coverage of a specific sport and social issue should be non-biased however this can be dependent on who sponsors the publication as they can influence the journalist’s opinion. In some cases, media coverage may state the general overview of a study but may actually miss out important details. There can also be a biased approach in research that is funded by grants from specific businesses or organisations with set views on an issue.
In the article by Kian et al (2013) there are three different contributors to the paper however in the three media articles provided in appendix 1, there is only one author. Having several contributors from a specific subject will enable the article to provide a much more intellectual, logical and informative publication. Journal articles before publication are peer reviewed with usually more than one contributor to the writing of the article as seen in all references within appendix 2.