Conducting your Research

In order to get a distinction in Unit 2 you must:

• D1 employ a systematic and structured approach in
  all aspects of research activity
• D2 present results of research using fluent language
  and correct terminology

As a class, we have created an outline for research. You should follow this, but if you see a need for another piece of research that will help, please feel free to include it.

What Research do you need to do?
Find out:
1. Who are your audience?
Use a questionnaire.
2. Find out more about your target audience’s taste in music videos.
Do vox pops.
3. Decide what the video should be about.
Choose the song and analyse the lyrics. Listen to the song: how it flows and what genre it is.
4. Find out what the artist wants.
Talk to the artist if you can. Or look on myspace or at other work by the artist for clues.
5. Find out how much your budget is and what resources you have.
Create an inventory of the resources you need and ask people if they can help you with props and other costs.
6. Learn the skills to make the video.
Learn how to use imovie. Learn how to film with a video camera.
7. Research locations.
Take photos using a still digital camera, of your possible locations. Make a list of any problems with those locations e.g. noise levels, too busy.
8. Make sure you can organise a time to film when you have everything you need.
Plan a date for filming when your actors are free. Make a list of all the equipment you need and book the location.

Work completed so far

You've done well so far. Up to this point we have been trying to understand a variety of research methods and techniques.

Here is a chart showing what you have completed and what you still need to do.

Now it's your chance to organise and conduct some research.

Research Techniques

Here are a variety of techniques for collecting research:

1. Using libraries, search methods (indexes, catalogues)


2. Using the internet, search methods (search engines)


3. Photocopying and highlighting key quotes and images


4. Making notes


5. Interviews (written, recorded)


6. Observations


7. Questionnaires


8. Surveys


9. Focus groups


10. Meetings

Task

1. Copy this list onto a new post in your own blog.


2. Under each number, try to add two advantages and two disadvantages of this type of research.


3. Create a table showing the research you plan to conduct before making your music video.

Recording Research

It is essential that you record where your research comes from.

For websites you must record the url (www...), the date, the name and page name if it is a separate page.

For magazines you must record the publishing authority, the issue number, date, the name of the magazine, the name of the article and the page numbers.

For books record the publisher, edition, name, author or editor and page number.

For TV, Radio programmes, Podcasts etc. You must give the name of the channel or webpage, the name of the programme, presenter and date and time it went on air.

If you have done an interview or a questionnaire you must give details about who you interviewed, where and on what date.

Activity

1. Record the details of where you can watch the music video for Rihanna's Disturbia.
2. Record the details of where you can read a review of this.
3. Look on Amazon.co.uk for a copy of a book about music videos and record the details of the book.

Understanding Research Methods and Techniques

NB You must complete this exercise to meet the PASS criteria.

Task:

1. Create a post in your own blog using the same title as the one for this post.
2. Answer the questions using headings and in full sentences.

Outline:
There are four key words for describing different research methods and techniques.

You should have already done some research about making a music video in Unit 3. Refer to what you did to answer the following questions.

Keywords:
1) Primary Research - your own research and analysis

2) Secondary Research - other people's research and analysis that you use

Q1 What research have you done (or could you do) that can be called primary research?

Q2 What research have you collected (or could you collect) that can be called secondary research?

3) Qualitative Research - opinions and ideas

4) Quantitative Research - numbers and tables

Q3 What research have you done (or could you do) that can be called qualitative?

Q4 What research have you done (or could you do) that can be called quantitative?

Final Task:

Create a list of as many different types of research as you can think of. Use Freemind to make a colour-coded mindmap with as many different types of research as you can. Export it as a JPEG and upload it to your blog.

Unit 2 Research for Media Production

• On completion of this unit you should:
  1 Understand research methods and techniques
  2 Be able to identify and gather research material
  3 Be able to collate and store research material
  4 Be able to present results of research.
• You will need to undertake a variety of different kinds of research.
• You will need to record it all on your blog in an organised way.

Creating a Blog for recording research

This lesson you will create a blog for recording your research.

You should name it

BTEC Media Your Name

and use the URL: btecmediasnsyourname

Then upload some information about your profile and a photo.

Finally, create your first post - What is research and what kinds of research are there?