Mass Shootings and Mass Media: The Discrepancies Between Workplace and School Shootings

Abstract

Workplace shootings and school shootings have a variety of differences and similarities. However, each are unique to other mass shooting types. This study analyzes 42 workplace shootings and 50 school shootings that were highly publicized and occurred between 1965 and 2015. Through my analysis, I was able to uncover the similarities and differences between the two sub-types of mass shootings. 100 school articles and 72 workplace articles from The New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and Los Angeles Times were utilized and coded to uncover the differences in adjectives used in reports. Because workplace shootings receive much less media coverage and research, I sought to explain these discrepancies.