Methodological approaches to studying the functions of musical news intros

This article presents a methodological approach to studying the functions of musical news intros on the radio, with a particular focus on their communicative role. It introduces and tests an innovative method that examines correlations between physiological responses – skin conductance, heart rate variability, and pulse rate – and exposure to musical news intros among young adults aged 20–26. Methods. A literature review was conducted to identify existing methodological approaches to the study of musical intros. The analysis involved selecting relevant sources, classifying the findings, and synthesizing them to assess how methodological issues are reflected in the current body of research. Results. The analysis reveals a lack of established and empirically tested methodologies specifically aimed at exploring the functions of musical intros, especially their communicative function. The study proposes an original methodological framework that employs electrophysiological techniques to uncover latent media effects induced by musical news intros – effects that may not be consciously recognized by study participants. Conclusions. The proposed approach offers a tool for assessing the effectiveness of musical news intros in influencing audiences. Overall, functional analysis facilitates an understanding of how intros fulfill their roles in the media and provides a basis for optimizing them to enhance their communicative impact on listeners and viewers