Using R Studio in Intermedia Agenda-Setting Studies: Computerizing Cross-Lagged Correlation Using Rozelle-Campbell Baseline

Abstract

Today the importance of reproducible and transparent research has been increased along with the use of large data sets in a multinational environment. Researchers using intermedia agenda-setting theory have also affected this trend by conducting studies using big data and social media data. The Rozelle-Campbell formula is widely used by such researchers to investigate media effects and their direction. R is a general purpose statistical software package used in many fields of research. It is licensed for a free and an open-source software. There are many researchers have released applications for general use in R after they have been introduced into the literature. The authors have written this informative paper as a reference text for users of R in communication studies. Our primary purpose is to provide users an easy way to learn how to perform using R and R Studio analysis to use in intermedia agenda-setting without having to navigate through the extensive and excessive documentation. Another purpose of this study is to simplify and to reduce analyzing steps in complex cross-lagged correlations (synchronous correlations cross-lagged correlations and autocorrelations) and Rozelle-Campbell Baseline analysis. On the other hand neither do we claim to provide the most convenient solution for the researchers. We have tried to provide asimple approach which is easily understandable for those with an understanding of statistics. We anticipate that this tool R will be particularly useful for intermediate users who need or want to conduct their studies when retrieving from the big data. In addition this article will encourage researchers to improve their analytic abilities by providing a brief manual and tested examples. Following the existing literature this study re-tests the results of previous four intermedia agenda-settings studies which had been previously analyzed by SPSS Software Program or Microsoft Excel. The present study's data analysis 100% has matched with original studies. The results suggest that researchers can use this R Studio scripts to conduct their intermedia agenda-setting analysis.