Hi - in my phd my research method is content analysis of written disclosures and visual images of annual reports. I am a little worried as this is secondary data only. In my differentiation I had also proposed interviews but they said that the interviews might be too much work and to consider doing the content analysis only. But after reading up on the internet I get conflicting views - some say its ok, some say its no good. Should I be worried? I've tried to address my concerns with my supervisor but I'm worried I'll sound like I doubt him. Thanks for any opinions.

Many people only use some sort of content analysis as their research method, isn't this what most people in Critical Discourse Analysis do? So, if you link this research with your methodology this would more than suffice. The whole analysing visual images is interesting too. Which discipline are you in and have you looked at the CDA stuff? Fairclough, Wodak etc? Not too sure of the visual side of things, but think Sarah Pink does stuff on visual ethnography. Would be interested to know what other forum members think...

Hi - thank you for your reply. My field is in the social sciences - specifically accounting. I have come across some papers in my discipline only using some sort of content analysis, I just wasn't sure whether that would also be OK for a Phd.