The possibilities of time use research approaches for the analysis of the use of media is the
focus of this study. After describing previous studies of media analyses time use research is
characterised and the particular suitability of its central surveying instruments – stylised
survey information and time use diaries – is investigated for media use analyses. The various
new surveying instruments will be newly systematized according to survey principles and
survey features/attributes and illustrated by numerous product examples. The critical
appraisal yields recommendations for a method mix of time use diaries and new technology
based surveying instruments