The main way in which research findings can be disseminated to a wide audience is via the mass media. However, there are frequent complaints that media coverage of social and educational research is very limited and often highly distorted. Exploring this issue in depth, this key book analyzes British media reports of a research review dealing with ethnic inequalities in educational achievement. Written by a well-respected scholar and covering many areas - including education, media studies, cultural studies, sociology and social policy - this book will undoubtedly be of great interest to a broad cross section of readers.

Martyn Hammersley is Professor of Educational and Social Research at the Open University, UK. His most recent books are: Taking Sides in Social Research (also published by Routledge), and Educational Research, Policy Making and Practice.

Introduction. 1. From Review to Press Release 2. The Review on the Radio: the Today Programme and the World at One 3. Television News Coverage 4. The Review in the Press: National, Ethnic Minority, and Local Newspaper Coverage 5. Conclusion: a case of media distortion? Epilogue: Questions about the media, democracy, and social science