Abstract
Örebro University
Department of Humanities
Media and Communication Studies
C-essay, fall 2007
Title: A readingsurvey about the student newspaper Lösnummer. A newspaper for the students in Örebro since 1966.
Author: Ida Andersson
Supervisor: Larsåke Larsson
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine students approach, in the meaning of reading and a showed interest in the students membership newspaper Lösnummer. I intend to study to what extent the students practice Lösnummer, and if they find the paper readable. What do the students read and what do they wish to read more about?
Theories: Theories and prior research that I have applied in my study are; A theory called diffusions of innovations, that explains how new ideas are spread and this is applied to the spreading of news in particular. How human habits have an impact on newspapers circulation and within the chapter are also literature about Swedish media habits and information regarding reading survey’s. How people evaluate media and to what extent they trust media and its role in society is also applied. Scientific articles discuss young adults in high school age and to what extent they read newspapers. Earlier research also includes campus newspapers and the importance of a papers layout.
Method: My chosen method for this essay are a quantitative questionnaire study. I have distributed 400 questionnaires to students in Örebro chosen randomly. The results from these questionnaires constitutes as a ground for the presentation of my results.
Results: A substantially big number of the students know that the paper exists and it is, according to 88 percent relevant from a students perspective and is highly readable. Most read are pages that contain news, information about the daily lives of students and topics like amusement and culture. The paper appears to be used by students as a way to receive information about current incidents that has its place both on and of campus location. Topics that are requested are cuisine, sports and amusement.
Keywords: student newspaper reading, young readers, newspaper reading, quantitative surveys, questionnaires, newspaper reading, confidence in media.