Need help addressing these issues:

making progress! However, most of this proposal contains 0 sources/citations (particularly the literature review, but also the theory and methods sections are lacking in course materials and any sources that are essential). Please discuss this.

• Title: This doesn't really tell me anything about your project?
• Background: Always cite where possible (even context information)
• Literature review: ? There is only a single study cited. The literature happens before the research as I explained previously. You need a foundation to support your study - this is not a 'research project' in the traditional sense.
• Timetable and dissemination were not required (as I explained in criteria and class)
• Theory and method: there is very little engagement with any material (and no course materials). You have not explained your research design. paradigm make sense, but you have to support the rationale with sources (as indicated). You also need to explain what sample, why, etc. again supported through course materials
• Lack of references/citations (let's discuss)

Introduction/Background:

In 2022, the province of British Columbia became the first jurisdiction in Canada to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use. The pilot program allows adults over the age of 18 to possess up to 2.5 grams of cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and opioids without fear of arrest or prosecution.

The topic of drug decriminalization has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential impact on public health, criminal justice systems, and social attitudes towards drug use. Drug decriminalization refers to the policy approach that shifts the focus from criminalizing drug possession and use to treating it as a public health issue. This research project aims to conduct a comprehensive content analysis to examine how the topic of drug decriminalization is represented in the media and explore the changes in media representation over time.

The rationale for this research stems from the need to understand the role of media in shaping public perceptions and policy discussions surrounding drug decriminalization. The media plays a crucial role in framing public understanding of social issues and can significantly influence public opinion and policy debates (Galtung & Ruge, 1965). By analyzing media coverage, we can gain insights into the dominant narratives, techniques, and discourses employed in discussions about drug decriminalization. This research is needed to provide a nuanced understanding of the media's portrayal of drug decriminalization and its implications for public attitudes and policymaking.

Research Questions:

1. How is the topic of drug decriminalization represented in the media? This question aims to analyze the various ways in which the media portrays drug decriminalization. It seeks to identify the key themes, perspectives, and narratives that emerge in media coverage.

2. In what ways has the media representation of drug decriminalization evolved over time? This question focuses on examining the changes in media representation of drug decriminalization over a specific time period. It aims to explore shifts in framing, discourses, and public sentiment reflected in media coverage.

Literature Review:

The literature review will delve into existing research on drug decriminalization and media representation. It will encompass studies that have explored the relationship between media and drug policy, with a specific focus on the portrayal of drug decriminalization in news articles, opinion pieces, and other media formats. The review will identify gaps in the literature and justify the need for further research in this area. Additionally, it will examine studies that have investigated media framing and agenda-setting theories to provide a theoretical foundation for the content analysis. The literature review will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the existing knowledge on media representation of drug decriminalization and highlight the research's contribution to this field. Furthermore, with the decriminalization of drugs being an extensive topic of discussion in recent years, I will aim to highlight areas needed for further research. In addition to that, with many studies already being present in various areas of the topic I will be focusing on the proposed questions that aim to uncover and seek to identify the key themes, perspectives, and narratives that emerge in media coverage. The purpose of this research project is to understand how the media has represented the idea of decriminalizing drugs and how it has played a role in the public's perception. Next, In the Canadian context, research specific to the decriminalization of drugs is still limited due to the recent implementation of such policies. However, there are relevant studies that can provide insights. For example, a study conducted by the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (BC Centre on Substance Use, 2019) examined the potential impacts of drug decriminalization in British Columbia and provided recommendations for implementation based on evidence from other jurisdictions.

The proposed research will contribute by examining the specific context of British Columbia's drug decriminalization pilot program and evaluating its impacts on crime rates, public health outcomes, and other relevant factors. By building upon existing research and addressing these gaps, I will be able to provide valuable insights into the implications of drug decriminalization in Canada and contribute to the ongoing policy discussions in this area.

Research Strategies:

The proposed research will employ qualitative content analysis methodology to examine the media representations of drug decriminalization. The qualitative approach allows for an in-depth exploration of the diverse perspectives and discourses around the topic. The data collection will involve an in-depth investigation of various media sources, including newspapers, online news articles, and opinion pieces. Systematic sampling techniques will be employed to ensure a sample of media sources representing different geographical locations, political affiliations, and publication dates. The analysis will identify patterns, shifts, and dominant narratives in media coverage of drug decriminalization over time.

Theoretical Considerations:

This research will adopt a paradigm and draw on social constructionist perspectives to understand how the media constructs and influences public opinion on drug decriminalization. The paradigm emphasizes the examination of power relations, social inequalities, and ideological influences within society. Social constructionism recognizes that the media plays an active role in shaping social reality and constructing meaning through its representation of various issues. The analysis will analyze media that influence audience interpretations and understanding of an issue. Framing refers to the selective presentation of certain aspects of an issue while omitting or downplaying others, thereby influencing public perception. By applying framing theory, the research will identify the underlying assumptions, biases, and power dynamics within media representations of drug decriminalization. It will also explore alternative theoretical perspectives, such as feminist or critical race theories, to examine how intersecting social identities and power differentials are reflected in media representation (McQuail, 2010).

Methodology:

The proposed research aims to conduct a comprehensive qualitative content analysis methodology to examine the media representations of drug decriminalization. The choice of a qualitative approach is appropriate for this study as it allows for an in-depth exploration of the diverse perspectives and discourses surrounding the topic. This methodology will involve an in-depth investigation of various media sources, including newspapers, online news articles, and opinion pieces. The analysis will provide valuable insights into how drug decriminalization is portrayed and discussed in the media.

Sample Selection:

A representative sample of media sources will be carefully selected for analysis. Systematic sampling techniques will be employed to randomly choose articles or media content from different media outlets and periods, considering geographical location, political affiliation, and publication date. Online databases and archives will be utilized to access a wide range of media sources, ensuring mainstream and alternative perspectives are included. Special attention will be given to collecting data from different periods to capture temporal variations in media representation.

Data Collection:

The data collection process will be systematic and comprehensive. Various methods will be employed to gather relevant articles and media content related to drug decriminalization. Online databases and archives will be utilized to access a wide range of media sources, ensuring the inclusion of both mainstream and alternative perspectives. The research will consist of specific keywords and search queries tailored to the research objectives to retrieve relevant content. Special attention will be given to collect data from different periods to capture temporal variations in media representation.

Ethical Considerations:

Ethical guidelines for research will be strictly adhered to throughout the study. As media sources will be treated as primary data, confidentiality and anonymity will be ensured to protect the privacy of journalists, authors, or media organizations. Any personal information that could potentially identify individuals or media outlets.Furthermore, this research does not involve direct human subjects, and therefore, the use of informed consent protocols is not necessary.

Data Analysis:

The analysis will involve a rigorous and systematic examination of the collected media content. Initially, a comprehensive framework will be developed to capture the various themes, frames, and discourses related to drug decriminalization in the media (Entman, 1993). The analysis will focus on identifying patterns, trends, and shifts in media representation of drug decriminalization over time. This could involve examining the frequency of different frames or discourses, identifying dominant narratives, and exploring changes in media coverage across different periods or media outlets. The findings will be thoroughly documented and supported by illustrative examples from the media content analyzed.

Timetable:

The research project will be divided into several phases, each a specific time allocation of 3 weeks. These phases include conducting a literature review, developing the framework, collecting data from media sources, analyzing the data, and writing the final report. The timetable will provide a detailed schedule for each phase to ensure that the research progresses systematically and efficiently. It is important to account for potential delays and contingencies that may arise during the research process.

Dissemination:

With the results of the findings, I look to maximize its impact. With that being said, I will look to present the results and place them in libraries as it will benefit and contribute to existing knowledge on the media representation of drug decriminalization. Additionally, it will help assist other students if they come across the topic and choose to research further findings.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this proposed research will utilize a qualitative content analysis methodology to explore media representations of drug decriminalization. The systematic sampling of media sources, comprehensive data collection, and rigorous data analysis will contribute to a thorough examination of themes, frames, and discourses surrounding this important topic. The research aims to produce valid and reliable findings that advance our understanding of how drug decriminalization is portrayed in the media. Aiming to provide insights into how the media represents drug decriminalization and how this representation has evolved over time. By analyzing media coverage, this research will contribute to a better understanding of the role

media plays in shaping public attitudes and policy debates surrounding drug decriminalization. The findings have the potential to inform public discourse, policy formulation, and future research in this area. By examining the media's portrayal of drug decriminalization, this research seeks to shed light on the broader societal dynamics and implications of drug policy debates.