Can't Tell You Why — Limitations of Content Analysis & Sampling | COM 382 Study Song (lyric video)

A study song about the limitations of content analysis and sampling strategies. Created for COM 382 at the University of Washington. The key limitation: content analysis describes what's in the message but cannot tell you how the audience is affected — it answers "what" but not "why" or "how," and cannot establish causation. Covers composite sampling (constructed sampling — building a representative week from different months), the 100-case minimum, platform-specific findings, and rapid content evolution. The bridge balances limitations with strengths: unobtrusive, low cost, no IRB, and a starting point for effects research.
CONCEPTS COVERED:
Descriptive not explanatory, no causation/effects, composite sampling, 100 cases minimum, platform-specific findings, algorithmic influence, strengths (unobtrusive, low cost, no IRB)
LYRICS (excerpt — full lyrics in the video):
[Chorus]
Can't tell you why, can't tell you how they feel
Content analysis shows what's there, but not what's real
To the audience watching on the other side
It describes the message but the effects — they hide
Can't tell you why — that takes a different design
Content analysis draws the descriptive line
Part of "The Content Analysis Album" for COM 382. Created by Prof. Katy Pearce, University of Washington, Spring 2026. Music generated with Suno AI. Video with Claude. Lyrics and educational content © Katy Pearce, CC BY-NC.
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Видео Can't Tell You Why — Limitations of Content Analysis & Sampling | COM 382 Study Song (lyric video) канала COM 382