Which technique involves breaking down written or taped materials into meaningful units?

Content analysis is a research technique used to systematically interpret and break down written or recorded materials into meaningful units. This method allows researchers to quantify and analyze the presence, meanings, and relationships of certain words, themes, or concepts within the content.

By categorizing and organizing data, content analysis facilitates the identification of patterns and trends that may not be immediately obvious. It is particularly useful for analyzing large volumes of qualitative data, such as articles, interviews, or social media posts, making it easier to draw conclusions and insights from the material. This technique emphasizes the importance of both qualitative understanding and quantitative metrics, providing a comprehensive approach to data analysis.

While other techniques like thematic analysis or qualitative coding also involve interpreting materials, content analysis specifically focuses on breaking down the text into structured units for further analysis, making it distinct in its approach.