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Reviews: S M Carter Tobacco document research reporting Tob Control 2005; 14: 368-376 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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A major contribution to TDR methodology

Heikki T Hiilamo   (17 December 2005)

A major contribution to TDR methodology 17 December 2005
Heikki T Hiilamo, PhD ASH Finland Send letter to journal: Re: A major contribution to TDR methodology heikki.hiilamo{at}saunalahti.fi Heikki T Hiilamo	I would like to propose some additions to Carter’s excellent review paper on Tobacco document research reporting. That is a major contribution to tobacco document research (TDR) methodology. While discussing possible lessons from historical research to TDR Carter mentions the interpretation of facts. Occasionally the difficulty with TDR lies in establishing the facts (e.g. if plans were implemented). One method to overcome the problem is to put the TDR information into context. The more detailed the information, the more difficult is the task. A basic method in historical research (also in journalism) is to check the information with the persons mentioned in the documents. That is rarely seen in TDR. However, some authors make explicit that they have not checked the information with the persons concerned. Obtaining information from (present or former) tobacco industry employees is surely a difficult task but that should not be ignored if more accuracy could be attained. When it comes to evolution of search strategies it is obvious that it is connected to the availability of the documents. The sorting options and optical character recognition as well as the addition of privileged documents to Legacy archive have made new search strategies possible. A fuzzy option for key words would greatly benefit TRC on countries with ominous characters as they tend to be misspelled. I do applaud Carter’s recommendation of frame analysis. Several TDR related to tobacco lobbying. It seems that the debate on tobacco centers around two competing frames, individual liberty and public health. I’m sure that there is still a lot to be learned from the way the industry has manipulated the language in smoking and health debate. Carter SM. Tobacco document research reporting. Tobacco Control 2005;14: 368-376. Manashe CL, Siegel M. The power of a frame: an analysis of newspaper coverage of tobacco issues -- United States 1985-1995. Journal of Health Communication 1998;4:207-25.