In addition to research on methodological issues of empirical communication research and the development and application of novel methods, we study the contents, use and impact of digital media, individual news and media repertoires and audience networks as well as problematic media use and effects, such as addiction or cyberbullying.
Recent publications
Winkler, Y., Bachl, M., & Scharkow, M. (2022). Individual users’ participation on political Facebook pages. Journal of Quantitative Description: Digital Media, 2. https://doi.org/10.51685/jqd.2022.019
Mangold, F., & Scharkow, M. (2022). Metrics of News Audience Polarization: Same or Different? Communication Methods and Measures, online first.
Magin, M., Geiß, S., Stark, B., & Jürgens, P. (2021). Common Core in Danger? Personalized Information and the Fragmentation of the Public Agenda. The International Journal of Press/Politics, online first.
Research areas
Bachl, M., & Scharkow, M. (2017). Correcting measurement error in content analysis. Communication Methods and Measures, 11(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/19312458.2017.1305103
Scharkow, M., & Bachl, M. (2017). How measurement error in content analysis and self-reported media use leads to minimal media effect findings in linkage analyses: A simulation study. Political Communication, 34(3), 323–343. https://doi.org/10.1080/10584609.2016.1235640
Scharkow, M. (2016). The accuracy of self-reported internet use. A validation study using client log data. Communication Methods and Measures, 10(1), 13–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/19312458.2015.1118446
Scharkow, M. (2013). Thematic content analysis using supervised machine learning: An empirical evaluation using german online news. Quality & Quantity, 47(2), 761–773. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-011-9545-7
Mahrt, M., & Scharkow, M. (2013). The value of big data in digital media research. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 57(1), 20–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2012.761700
Günther, E., & Scharkow, M. (2013). Recycled media. An automated evaluation of news outlets in the twenty-first century. Digital Journalism, 2(4), 524–541. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2013.850207
Scharkow, M., & Vogelgesang, J. (2011). Measuring the public agenda using search engine queries. International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 23(1), 104–113. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpor/edq048
Trepte, S., Scharkow, M., & Dienlin, T. (2020). The privacy calculus contextualized: The influence of affordances. Computers in Human Behavior, 104, 106115.
Trepte, S., Masur, P. K., & Scharkow, M. (2018). Mutual friends’ social support and self-disclosure in face-to-face and instant messenger communication. The Journal of Social Psychology, 158(4), 430–445. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2017.1398707
Masur, P. K., & Scharkow, M. (2016). Disclosure management on social network sites: Individual privacy perceptions and user-directed privacy strategies. Social Media & Society, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305116634368
Scharkow, M., Festl, R., Vogelgesang, J., & Quandt, T. (2015). Beyond the core-gamer: Genre preferences and gratifications in computer games. Computers in Human Behavior, 44, 293–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.11.020
Festl, R., Scharkow, M., & Quandt, T. (2013). Militaristic attitudes and the use of digital games. Games and Culture, 8(6), 392–407. https://doi.org/10.1177/1555412013493498
Scharkow, M., & Vogelgesang, J. (2010). Effects of domestic media use on European integration. Communications, 35(1), 73–91. https://doi.org/10.1515/comm.2010.004 | PDF
Suckfüll, M., & Scharkow, M. (2009). Modes of reception for fictional films. Communications, 34(4), 361–384. https://doi.org/10.1515/comm.2009.023
Scharkow, M. (2019). The reliability and temporal stability of self-reported media exposure: A meta-analysis. Communication Methods and Measures, 13(3), 198–211. https://doi.org/10.1080/19312458.2019.1594742
Bachl, M., & Scharkow, M. (2019). Some suggestions on dealing with measurement error in linkage analyses. In C. Peter, T. Naab, & R. Kühne (Eds.). Measuring Media Use and Exposure: Recent Developments and Challenges. Halem.
Scharkow, M., & Bachl, M. (2019). Stable attitudes and behaviors as boundary conditions of reinforcing spirals models. In P. Müller, S. Geiss, C. Schemer, T. Naab, & C. Peter (Eds.). Dynamische Prozesse der öffentlichen Kommunikation: Methodische Herausforderungen. Halem.
Bachl, M., & Scharkow, M. (2017). Correcting measurement error in content analysis. Communication Methods and Measures, 11(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/19312458.2017.1305103
Scharkow, M., & Bachl, M. (2017). How measurement error in content analysis and self-reported media use leads to minimal media effect findings in linkage analyses: A simulation study. Political Communication, 34(3), 323–343. https://doi.org/10.1080/10584609.2016.1235640
Scharkow, M. (2016). The accuracy of self-reported internet use. A validation study using client log data. Communication Methods and Measures, 10(1), 13–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/19312458.2015.1118446
Elson, M., Mohseni, M. R., Breuer, J., Scharkow, M., & Quandt, T. (2014). Press CRTT to measure aggressive behavior: The unstandardized use of the competitive reaction time task in aggression research. Psychological Assessment, 26(2), 419–432. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035569
Hayes, A. F., & Scharkow, M. (2013). The relative trustworthiness of inferential tests of the indirect effect in statistical mediation analysis: Does method really matter? Psychological Science, 24(10), 1918–1927. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613480187
Scharkow, M. (2013). Thematic content analysis using supervised machine learning: An empirical evaluation using german online news. Quality & Quantity, 47(2), 761–773. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-011-9545-7
Scharkow, M., & Vogelgesang, J. (2011). Measuring the public agenda using search engine queries. International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 23(1), 104–113. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpor/edq048
Festl, R., Vogelgesang, J., Scharkow, M., & Quandt, T. (2017). Longitudinal patterns of involvement in cyberbullying: Results from a latent transition analysis. Computers in Human Behavior, 66, 7–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.09.027
Festl, R., Scharkow, M., & Quandt, T. (2015). The individual or the group: A multilevel analysis of cyberbullying in school classes. Human Communication Research, 41(4), 535–556. https://doi.org/10.1111/hcre.12056
Breuer, J., Scharkow, M., & Quandt, T. (2015). Sore losers? A reexamination of the frustration-aggression hypothesis for colocated video game play. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 4(2), 126–137. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000020
Scharkow, M., Festl, R., & Quandt, T. (2014). Longitudinal patterns of problematic computer game use among adolescents and adults - a 2-year panel study. Addiction, 109(11), 1910–1917. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.12662
Breuer, J., Scharkow, M., & Quandt, T. (2014). Tunnel vision or desensitization? The effect of interactivity and frequency of use on the perception and evaluation of violence in digital games. Journal of Media Psychology, 26(4), 176–188. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000122
Festl, R., Scharkow, M., & Quandt, T. (2013). Peer influence, internet use and cyberbullying: A comparison of different context effects among german adolescents. Journal of Children and Media, 7(4), 446–462. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2013.781514
Festl, R., Scharkow, M., & Quandt, T. (2012). Problematic computer game use among adolescents, younger and older adults. Addiction, 108(3), 592–599. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.12016