Final Research Report: Traditional Newspaper Versus Online Newspaper

This final research report investigates the evolving landscape of news consumption, focusing on the transition from traditional to online newspapers. The study employs a qualitative research methodology, utilizing both surveys and interviews to gather data on audience preferences and perceptions. The report begins with a background on the impact of digital media on journalism and the shift in reader interest towards online platforms. The methodology section details the use of surveys and interviews as data collection tools, highlighting their respective advantages. The findings section presents a detailed analysis of survey results, including demographic data, reading habits, and media source preferences. The survey results indicate a significant preference for online news sources, with the majority of respondents believing that traditional newspapers will eventually be replaced by online platforms. The interview data, presented in the appendix, provides additional insights from individual perspectives. The discussion section analyzes the key findings and their implications, while the recommendations suggest potential strategies for traditional newspapers to adapt to the changing media landscape. The conclusion summarizes the main arguments and findings of the report. The report also includes references and an appendix containing interview transcripts and survey questions.

Running head: TRADITIONAL NEWSPAPER VERSU ONLINE NEWSPAPER
TRADITIONAL NEWSPAPER VERSU ONLINE NEWSPAPER
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author note

1TRADITIONAL NEWSPAPER VERSU ONLINE NEWSPAPER
Table of Contents
Background................................................................................................................................2
Methodology..............................................................................................................................2
Findings......................................................................................................................................4
Survey analysis.......................................................................................................................4
Interview..............................................................................................................................13
Discussion................................................................................................................................14
Recommendations....................................................................................................................15
Conclusion................................................................................................................................15
References................................................................................................................................16
Appendix..................................................................................................................................17

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Background
Contemporary studies related to journalism and new media reveal that news audience
is gradually shifting their interest towards online newspapers. The difference between the
nature of traditional and online newspaper may be the main reason of this shift in interest.
There is no doubt in it that journalism has been impacted by the new technologies of digital
media (Westlund & Färdigh 2015). The shift in the interest has been a topic of research and
there are many studies focusing on the modification in the newsroom structures; shift in the
roles of journalists and the way in which the newsrooms and news audiences are getting
engaged. The emergence of Internet can be attributed to the change in the journalism
practices as many of the newsrooms have taken help of the Internet to come up with online
news platforms (Newman, Levy & Nielsen 2015). Just creating online news platforms would
have been of no use if the audience preferences have not changed. The main concern is
whether in days to come traditional newspaper will no more be available or will there be a
convergence of both the forms of newspaper (Wolf & Schnauber 2015). In this paper, the
main topic of discussion is the future of traditional newspaper. The gradual shift in the
preference of newspapers will be analyzed and the perception of people about traditional and
online newspapers known through the help of survey and interview.
Methodology
In this research, qualitative data collection method will be used for drawing
conclusions. Qualitative research has been chosen in this case the changing human behavior
towards newspaper is to be found out. Qualitative research methods deal with feelings and
are based on non-quantifiable parameters (Brinkmann & Kvale 2015). This methodology
helps the researcher to get an in-depth knowledge of the topic. The main methods that are
made use of in qualitative research are interviews, survey questionnaires consisting of open-

3TRADITIONAL NEWSPAPER VERSU ONLINE NEWSPAPER
ended questions and many such things. These types of research involve purposeful sampling
and require analyzing informations available from secondary source and data collected from
surveys in depth. Qualitative research is made use of to conduct behavioral as well as social
studies because it is a fact that human interactions are very complicated in nature. Some of
the characteristics of qualitative research are subjectivity, smaller size of sample and non-
random sampling (Leung 2015). The changes in the preference of people related to online
and traditional newspaper can be considered as social phenomena and thus in this case
qualitative research can be made use of as it will help in deeply probing as well as obtaining
rich description of the required information. This type of research helps in explaining “how”
and “why” a specific phenomenon or behavior operates considering a context (King,
Horrocks & Brooks 2018). The research is being conducted to find out the choices of people
related to online and traditional newspaper thus qualitative research is most appropriate for
this. This research helps in capturing the changing attitude within a specific target group that
include consumers of product and services or preferences and attitudes of the masses. This
research approach will help in providing a flexible approach and is effective in providing
certain explanations that numbers will never be able to do.
In this research, interview will be conducted and four people will be interviewed to
known their preference. The study will also be supported by a survey that will have 10
respondents to understand what their perceptions are on the research topic. The advantages of
both the methods chosen above are given below:
1. Interview- The interview is a face-to-face way of obtaining responses and thus yields better
responses (Brinkmann & Kvale 2015). The questions can help judge the non-verbal behavior
of respondents thus provide accurate results. The questions are topic relevant and thus will
help in drawing conclusions. The number of persons in this interview is less and thus they
can be questioned taking time and their views understood.

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2. Survey- There are various advantages of surveys such as high representatives, less cost,
convenience, good statistical significance and yields precise results. The number of
respondents in a survey makes this a better way to come to conclusions. The convenience in
the conducting surveys is that these can be sent via emails can administered through the help
of Internet (Noble & Smith 2015). At present, the surveys conducted online have become the
most popular way to know about the conceptions of the participants on the research topic.
Surveys are considered effective as they eliminate bias attitude of the researchers. In this the
survey questions are well formed and consider age groups as well so that the direction of
social change can be understood in this context. The survey questions are topic relevant and
short and simple that respondents will be happy to answer.
Findings
Survey analysis
Question 1: Specify your gender
Options Responses Percentage Number of
respondents
Male 6 60 % 10
Female 4 40 % 10

5TRADITIONAL NEWSPAPER VERSU ONLINE NEWSPAPER
Figure 1: Specify your gender
Analysis: From the 10 respondents, 6 of them were male and 4 of them female.
Question 2: What is your age?
Options Responses Percentage Number of
respondents
15-20 years 2 20 % 10
20-25 years 1 10 % 10
25-30 years 3 30 % 10
30-35 years 3 30 % 10
35 and above 1 30 % 10
Figure 2: What is your age?
Analysis: The participants of the survey belonged to varied age group. 2 of them were in the
age group 15-20 years, 1 in the age group of 20-25 years, 3 in the age group of 25-30 years, 3
in the age group of 30-35 years and 1 was above 35 years of age.
Question 3: What is your occupation?

6TRADITIONAL NEWSPAPER VERSU ONLINE NEWSPAPER
Options Responses Percentage Number of
respondents
Business 2 20 % 10
Service 5 50 % 10
Housemaker 1 10 % 10
Student 2 20 % 10
Figure 3: What is your occupation?
Analysis: From the 10 participants, 2 were involved in business, 5 were servicemen, 1 was a
house maker and 2 were students.
Question 4: Are you interested in receiving daily?
Options Responses Percentage Number of
respondents
Yes 5 50 % 10
Sometime 4 40 % 10
No 1 10 % 10

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Figure 4: Are you interested in receiving daily?
Analysis: From the 10 respondents, 5 were interested in receiving daily, 4 had a mix opinion
about this and 1 was not interested in receiving daily.
Question 5: How many hours a day do you spend reading the news?
Options Responses Percentage Number of
respondents
0-1 hours 2 20 % 10
2-3 hours 4 40 % 10
More 4 40 % 10
Figure 5: How many hours a day do you spend reading the news?

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Analysis: From the 10 respondents, 2 had the habit of reading newspaper for 0-2 hours, 4 had
the habit of reading newspaper from 2-3 hours and 4 had the habit of reading newspapers for
more than 3 hours. This proves that the maximum of the respondents have the habit of
reading newspapers.
Question 6: Which source do you use to read the news?
Options Responses Percentage Number of
respondents
Newspaper 1 10 % 10
Online 7 70 % 10
Radio 1 10 % 10
Television 1 10 % 10
Newspaper Online Radio Television
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Responses
Percentage
Number of respondents
Figure 6: Which source do you use to read the news?
Analysis: From the above figure, it can be seen that maximum of the respondents read news
on the online platform that is 7 of them preferred online media. 1 preferred newspaper, 1
preferred radio and 1 preferred television. This proves that maximum of the respondents

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preferred reading news online. This data shows that in near future it can happen that the
traditional newspaper is no more used by people. The use of Internet has been increasing
since its inception and this has been the reason why many newsrooms have preferred the
online platform to cater to the needs of their users. People are finding it advantageous to read
news from the online platform. They can get to know about the news only by clicking on a
button rather than going to local stores every day and buying newspaper. The online websites
provide an organized content and cover almost all categories. People can sign up for
notifications and newsletters thus are connected to the world through their smart devices
anywhere and anytime.
Question 7: Which source of media is more reliable or trustworthy?
Options Responses Percentage Number of
respondents
Newspaper 3 30 % 10
Online 7 70 % 10
Figure 7: Which source of media is more reliable or trustworthy?
Analysis: From the 10 respondents, 7 were of the opinion that online source of media is more
reliable while the remaining 3 were of the opinion that newspaper is more reliable source.

10TRADITIONAL NEWSPAPER VERSU ONLINE NEWSPAPER
Question 8: In your opinion why do you think that source is more trustworthy?
Figure 8: In your opinion why do you think that source is more trustworthy?
Analysis: From the above figure it is clear that, all respondents have different reasons for
their choices. Some are accustomed to the form either online media or newspaper and do not
want to shift to the other option. Online media is preferred by some for the regular updates
they are laced up with. Some of them are of the opinion that online information may be false
and they rely on traditional newspapers as these are printed from credible sources and these
have a brand name.
Question 9: Would you pay money to read the online news?
Options Responses Percentage Number of
respondents
Yes 5 50 % 10
No 4 40 % 10
Sometimes 1 10 % 10

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Figure 9: Would you pay money to read the online news?
Analysis: From the above figure it is clear that 50% of the respondents have no issue paying
for online news while 40% of them that is 4 of them are not willing to pay for the online news
and 10% of them are of the opinion that it depends.
Question 10: Do you think traditional newspaper will be replaced by online news?
Options Responses Percentage Number of
respondents
Yes 8 80 % 10
No 2 20 % 10

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Figure 10: Do you think traditional newspaper will be replaced by online news?
Analysis: From the above figure, it is clear that 80 % of the respondents are of the opinion
that traditional newspaper has high chances to be replaced by online news. This reveals that
people are in mood to change to digital platform and they are no more interested in the online
news.
Question 11: Do you feel any difference between online news and traditional
newspaper?
Options Responses Percentage Number of
respondents
Yes 10 100 10
No 0 0 10

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Figure 11: Do you feel any difference between online news and traditional newspaper?
Analysis: 100 percent of the respondents are of the opinion that there are difference in
between online news and traditional news. The main difference between online news and
traditional newspaper is that former can be accessed anytime and anywhere while the latter
has to be carried and bought every day.
Interview
Four people were interviewed and the interview questions along with the answers are
given in the appendix. To the first question, 2 of them were of the opinion that both have
individual advantages and disadvantages and they feel that in days to come both will be used
simultaneous way. The other two were of the opinion that very soon traditional newspaper
will not exist.
To the second question, respondents said that traditional newspapers are in physical
form and people are used to it. The newspapers have a brand name and credible sources.
To the third question, the respondents were of the opinion that online newspaper is
totally different from the traditional one. The online newspaper can be accessed from
anywhere and anytime. The online newspaper gives user a variety of options to choose from.

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To the fourth question, people were of the opinion that in traditional newspapers there
is little control over the ad placement, quality of production is low, short life span and not
audience specific.
To the fifth question, people were of the opinion that it can be beneficial for the
young people if they use Internet for good reasons and do not get distracted from their work
due to various notifications from different applications.
Discussion
As per the literature review it is clear that in days to come the traditional newspaper
will be substituted by the online newspaper. It suggests that the situation will be such that 20
years down the line half of the people will shift their choices and go for the online
newspapers. The main reason behind this will be the advantages that the online newspaper is
laced up with.
Based on the survey results it can be said that gradually people are accepting the
online media and discarding traditional newspaper. The use of Internet by almost all age
groups has made this easier for the media companies to come up with the online platform.
The youth are not that interested in reading newspapers and thus they prefer the online
medium. In this way they keep themselves updated. Even the older generations are getting
used to with the smart phones and they like the new way to stay connected to the events
taking around them. The data collected through the survey suggests that majority of the
respondents are of the opinion that traditional newspapers will soon get extinct and that as the
world is moving towards digitization these will be substituted by online media.
From the interview conducted it can be said that the online media provides updates at
a regular basis and does not come with a short time span. Unlike the traditional newspapers
one does not have to buy or subscribe to online media daily. Even people are ready to pay for

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reading news on the online platform as they feel it is far more organized than the traditional
newspapers. The traditional newspapers can get lost and the facts lost forever but in case of
online newspapers there are options for saving important stuffs and checking it when
necessary. 80% of the respondents are of the opinion that traditional newspapers will be
replaced by the online media in near future. All of the respondents find that there is a huge
difference in between the two and online media has various advantages over the traditional
newspapers. People are preferring online media can be understood from the fact that they are
ready to even pay for reading news online. There are some who still prefer traditional
newspapers but the majority are up for the change.
Recommendations
To go with the trend, media companies should come up with new additional features
to their online platform. Traditional newspapers should be discarded as it will be a move
towards sustainability. With e-receipts in banks, e-newspapers can help save paper. People
should be made aware of the advantages of using online media. Information should be
credible otherwise it can hamper the growing trend. The newspaper brands can make the
same content available online so that people can connect well.
The online newspaper is preferred by the users for its easy to access nature and thus
the online media should be careful about the authenticity of the news. Another major addition
to the already present online news platform can be live news. This can give the users the
provision of viewing live news on their smartphones.
Conclusion
From the above research report it is clear that traditional newspaper are losing their
hold in the market that demarcates a social change. People are getting aligned towards
digitalization and they prefer online media rather than the newspapers. The respondents in the

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research make it clear that online media is trending and that it is attracting the younger
generations. The youth who find it boring to read newspapers are now reading news online
and thus staying connected to the world around them. The positive aspects of online media
are attracting almost all age groups and they are shifting towards it.

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References
Brinkmann, S., & Kvale, S. (2015). Interviews: Learning the craft of qualitative research
interviewing (Vol. 3). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
King, N., Horrocks, C., & Brooks, J. (2018). Interviews in qualitative research. SAGE
Publications Limited.
Leung, L. (2015). Validity, reliability, and generalizability in qualitative research. Journal of
family medicine and primary care, 4(3), 324.
Newman, N., Levy, D. A., & Nielsen, R. K. (2015). Reuters Institute digital news report
2015: Tracking the future of news. Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.
Noble, H., & Smith, J. (2015). Issues of validity and reliability in qualitative
research. Evidence-based nursing, 18(2), 34-35.
Westlund, O., & Färdigh, M. A. (2015). Accessing the news in an age of mobile media:
Tracing displacing and complementary effects of mobile news on newspapers and online
news. Mobile Media & Communication, 3(1), 53-74.
Wolf, C., & Schnauber, A. (2015). News consumption in the mobile era: The role of mobile
devices and traditional journalism’s content within the user’s information repertoire. Digital
journalism, 3(5), 759-776.

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Appendix
Survey
Untitled form
Traditional newspaper versus online newspaper
1. Specify your gender *
Male
Female
2. What is your age? *
15-20 years
20-25 years
25-30 years
30-35 years
35 and above
3. What is your occupation? *
Business
Service
Housemaker
Student
4. Are you interested in receiving daily? *
Yes
Sometime
No
5. How many hours a day do you spend reading the news? *
0-1 hours
2-3 hours
6. Which source do you use to read the news? *
Newspaper
Online
Radio
Television
7. Which source of media is more reliable or trustworthy? *
Newspaper
Online
8. In your opinion why do you think that source is
more trustworthy? *
9. Would you pay money to read the online news? *
Yes
No
Sometimes
10. Do you think traditional newspaper will be replaced by online news? *
Yes
No
11. Do you feel any difference between online news and traditional newspaper?
*
Yes
No
Interview

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1. What is your about opinion about traditional newspaper? Do you think it will become
extinct in the future?
Respondent 1- It is outdated. Yes
Respondent 2- It is gradually losing its importance. Yes
Respondent 3- It has its importance. No
Respondent 4- Reliable source. No.
2. Why do you think traditional newspaper is different from online news?
Respondent 1- Traditional newspapers are from credible sources.
Respondent 2- According to me, it is a different feeling altogether to read the newspaper
sipping a cup of tea.
Respondent 3- Lot of advertisements
Respondent 4- I will say scattered content.
3. How the traditional newspaper is different from online newspaper?
Respondent 1- It needs to be bought every day.
Respondent 2- Is not updated like online newspaper.
Respondent 3- Traditional newspaper does not provide too many options.
Respondent 4- For me online is better accessible
4. What are the disadvantages of traditional newspapers?
Respondent 1- According to me, it is not audience specific.

20TRADITIONAL NEWSPAPER VERSU ONLINE NEWSPAPER
Respondent 2- Lots of advertisement.
Respondent 3- Low quality of production.
Respondent 4- I will say shorter life span.
5. Do you think it is beneficial for young people to prefer online newspapers?
Respondent 1- Yes if they do not get distracted while reading e-news.
Respondent 2- Yes
Respondent 3- Yes
Respondent 4- Yes