Coverage of home science information in popular dailies
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Date
2008
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
UAS, Dharwad
Abstract
A study on “Coverage of home science information in popular dailies” was undertaken in
the year 2007-08 in Parbhani district of Maharashtra state which consisted of two parts viz.,
content analysis of newspapers and survey research. In content analysis, total 1999 home science
articles published in selected two national English (Times of India and Indian Express) and two
regional Marathi dailies (Sakal and Lokmat) were taken. For survey research, 120 women
including non-working (60) and working (60) reading selected dailies were considered. The data
was collected with the help of pre-tested structured interview schedule.
Out of total 1999 home science articles from all four newspapers, maximum articles
belonged to human development (33.12%) followed by food science and nutrition (25.26%) and
home science extension education (16.61%). Among sub areas cookery, paediatrics and child
related concerns, consumerism, choice of clothing, eco-friendly measures and public health
concerns were covered most often. Majority of them published in the form of feature articles
(34.31%) followed by news items (29.01%) and recipes (11.00%). Around half of them appeared
in seventh and later pages and were having headline width less than two columns.
Majority of the women readers were middle aged, graduate, married, living in small and
joint families, belonging to medium annual income category and having high mass media
participation. There was no significant difference between reading habit of non-working and
working women. Majority of the women readers opined that the home science information
published was readable, adequate, clear and timely. Diet and nutrition, family resource
management and welfare programmes were the most preferred topics. Important suggestions
were publication of home science information on special supplement, detailed information on
particular topic, use of local and familiar language and more illustrations.