Data Collection
In terms of data collection, I used Twitter’s advanced search feature with each contestants name to find discussions related to each woman during their respective seasons. I narrowed down the time frame to the first two weeks of the season to focus on people’s perceptions of the women, specifically their character, femininity, and beauty, without taking into account their actions. This enabled me to analyze and juxtapose the language and rhetoric employed for each woman, and examine how it varies between women of color and white women. In order to further develop the depth of analysis, I incorporated words derived from existing scholarly works, as well as those related to beauty and femininity. This approach assisted in the creation of comprehensive coding schemes for categorizing and analyzing the content of tweets. I was able to delve into themes that revolve around personalities, demeanor, femininity, beauty, and physical appearance.
Quantitative & Qualitative Analysis
Through quantitative analysis, I could measure the frequency of specific themes and keywords. This assisted in analyzing the prevalence of different discourses related to race, specific women, or gaining a deeper understanding of beauty and femininity standards among tweeters discussing The Bachelor. Some of the words keywords that were anaylzed were sweet, sexy, exotic, beautiful, gorgeous, and many more. Regarding qualitative analysis, utilizing a thematic analysis approach enables a more comprehensive exploration of the various themes and conversations found on Twitter. This method allowed for a deeper understanding of nuances, such as sarcasm and tone. I can analyze the discussion surrounding beauty and femininity among white women and women of color in the context of The Bachelor, identifying patterns, themes, and trends.
Comparative Analysis
Finally, I used comparative analysis to examine the language and rhetoric used in discussions of beauty and femininity in relation to the two seasons. I analyzed the similarities and differences in the discourse surrounding the beauty, femininity, and appearance of women contestants, with a particular focus on the racial and ethnic context. I looked to delve into the complex relationship between race, beauty, and femininity within the context of The Bachelor. By thoroughly analyzing this variable race, I aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of its impact on the discourse.