Creative Media Production homework - 22/06/16

1) Why is media research carried out and by whom?

Media research can be carried out for academic purposes, which would be conducted by universities. It can also be carried out for commercial research, made by commercial media organisations.

2) What area has much media research focused on?

Much media research has been focused on how audiences interact with the media they consume. This has helped to change and shape policy within media companies and governments, in relation to codes of practice.

3) Why is it important for media producers to commission research?

Media producers commission research in order to understand the consumer habits and activities, whilst predicting our next purchases. It allows producers and advertisers target their products more effectively to consumers, and to identify niche markets such as the 'grey consumer', or 'grey pound'.

4) What is a hypothesis?

A hypothesis is an assumption or question about a topic, which research will either prove or disprove.

5) What do students gain from undertaking media research?

One reason, is to gain a greater and more in-depth understanding of a certain topic, and to develop research skills, which would be useful in further education or in a job. Also, the more research you carry out, the better you can evaluate the research of others.

6) What's the difference between primary and secondary research?

Primary research is new research, that is carried out in the hope of answering questions, or to prove a hypothesis right or wrong. It can involve questionnaires, interviews, and observations. On the other hand, secondary research is making use of information previously researched, that is publicly available, and this can be found in books, newspapers, and the internet.

7) What's the difference between qualitative and quantitative research, and why ideally do you need a mixture of both?

Qualitative research is a type of research that attempts to explain or understand something, which takes discussion and interpretation of behaviour and ideas. Quantitative data is a type of research that is used to measure stimuli, and works on collecting numerical data, to produce evidence such as graphs and statistics. It is ideal to have a mix of both, as quantitative data gives a statistical overview, which is easy to understand and gives quick, clear evidence; whilst qualitative data answers important questions, giving more in-depth data, and both of this research together gives the most descriptive and thorough research.

8) What do the terms subjective and objective mean?

To be subjective, means to be influenced by personal feelings, tastes or opinions. On the other hand, to be objective means to be bias-free, and to not let opinions or personal feelings have any part in research.

9) In research terms what is a methodology?

In terms of research, methodology is the system or manner used to carry out research, and the different ways in which data can be collected.