14. The Complexity of Media Political Humor: Research Considerations

The present anthology of studies in political humor offers a rich buffet of research methodologies. However, they only scratch the surface of the complexities involved in examining the topic. This concluding chapter expands on several methodological questions regarding the sub-field of political humor research, especially: (1) In any given society, to what extent is political humor addressed to both/all sides of the political spectrum—the question of “balance”; (2) What are the factors underlying the influence of political humor? (3) Assuming political humor is effective, is its influence greater on governmental policy, personnel, and/or ideology, or on the general public (or segments thereof)? (4) To what extent does the specific medium through which the political humor is expressed have influence—and for each medium, on whom? These and other ancillary variables are discussed here as a sort of “road map” for future scholars studying this fascinating (and smile-generating), but under-researched, topic.