Content analysis is a systematic, quantitative process of analyzing communication messages by determining the frequency of message characteristics. Content analysis as a research method has advantages and disadvantages. Content analysis is useful in describing communicative messages, the research process is relatively unobtrusive, and content analysis provides a relatively safe process for examining communicative messages, but it can be time-consuming and presents several methodological challenges. This entry identifies several advantages and disadvantages of content analysis related to the scope, data, and process of content analysis.