research techniques part 2

Intro to UNIT 3 – Research Techniques

Part 2

Why Research?

Why Research?

• To find out more facts about a subject

• To develop your understanding of a subject

• To check your facts

• To find out the thoughts of others

Types of Research

There are different types of research conducted for different purposes in the media.

• Audience research – the analysis of who consumes what media products and why

• Market research – investigations into the way that products could produce income by looking at the demands of consumers

• Production research – the research conducted to inform the production process of a media product eg. background information, locations, legal and ethical requirements etc.

Primary Research Some examples:

• Observations made when viewing an exhibition, show, performance or on visiting a location

• Interviews with people• Reports of meetings / discussions with people • The collection of information from

questionnaires or surveys• Focus group activities

Secondary Research • Secondary research techniques would include:

• Referring to books, journals, magazines and newspapers

• Gathering information from the Internet

• Making notes on information presented on audio visual formats like DVDs/documentaries etc

• Below are a list of the many different research techniques you may employ in your work. In pairs see if you can decide whether they are primary or secondary research techniques.

• Reading a book • Interviewing a media professional • Talking to people at a film screening • Collecting articles from a newspaper • Taking photographs of a location for a recee • Collecting information from websites.

There are many different ways we can research information on a subject. Below are some of the most common methods used:

Primary• Interviews

• Reports from visits

• Own photographs

• Own thoughts/comments

• Questionnaires/surveys

Secondary• Books

• Internet

• Newspapers/magazines

• TV Programmes/DVDs

• Audio/Radio

Reliability and Validity • There are many techniques that can be employed when

researching. However it is vital that you choose the right one to ensure that your information is reliable and valid

• Reliability = whether this can be trusted as a source of information. Could it be biased by people’s opinions or effected by flaws in their research methods? If this activity was done again, would it get the same results?

• Validity = the relevance of information to your investigation. Can you determine that it proves what you think it does (ie. If an interviewee reveals something can you give a direct quote that backs this up?)

Other Points to Remember . . .• You need to keep careful record of the research

you conduct. • Once collected research material needs to be

stored carefully. • Paper-based material should be kept in an

organised way in your folders. • Electronic material should be either printed out

and stored or kept on your hard-drive or student area.

• You will ALWAYS need to keep a Research Log for media projects