Unit 3 Research Techniques

What unit 3 is about?

The aim of this unit is to develop understanding of and skills in research relevant to creative media production. Learners will present their findings in both written and oral forms and will learn how to cite and reference their sources.

On completion of this unit you will:

1. Understand the nature and purposes of research in the creative media industries
2. Be able to apply a range of research methods and techniques
3. Be able to present results of research.

The brief

You have been asked by Sidney Stringer Productions to produce a short film, in order to demonstrate that there is a potential market for your production. You will need to find out about existing products as well as find out if there is an audience for your product.

Assignment 1

• Research Primary and Secondary research  within the creative media industry providing relevant examples through conventional resources. 
• Investigate types of Qualitative and Quantitative data providing advantages and disadvantages. 
• Look at the purposes of research and methods and techniques appropriate to different purposes.  

Write a report/essay about what research is and what different methods and techniques there are. You should give examples for all types and provide advantages and disadvantages for each example you give.


From the Spec:


Methods: primary; secondary; qualitative (eg opinions, attitudes, behaviour patterns) quantitative (eg
ratings, circulation figures, web hits)
Techniques : using libraries; using the internet; reading; searching archives; interviews; observations; questionnaires; surveys; focus groups; recce
Information trail : log of library; internet and archive searches; Collate: sift and select; organise, eg by name, by date, by type, by content, by information source; index
Store : secure storage; ease of access

You should be aiming to create a detailed analysis of different research methods and techniques. You should evaluate research methods with reference to precise and detailed illustrative examples.

For a distinction: methods and techniques will be explained by reference to precise, well-chosen and detailed examples and they will be subjected to some sort of evaluative procedure or weighing up. For example, a learner might comment, ‘The internet will produce information faster than using a reference book but it will produce a lot more which then needs to be sifted through. This may in the end take longer than getting just what you want from a book.’