Quantitative Research Quantitative data is data that can be
measured numerically and precisely. Examples The temperature is an
example as you can measure it but in different units like Celsius
or Fahrenheit. The length of a road could be measured in different
distances such as kilometres and miles. The weight of a baby or a
person is measured in kilos, pounds and stones.
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Qualitative Research Qualitative data is descriptive data that
is harder to analyse than quantitative data. Examples An oil
painting can be an example because they have a variety of colours,
they show different textures and they show different images.
Another example is a Latte as it has a strong taste and a variety
of different sizes as well as different coloured cups. The final
example is transport as there are several varieties of transport
like cars and buses and there are a variety of colours for
them.
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Methods and Sources of Research
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Primary Research Primary research is research that has been
carried out by yourself. Examples Questionnaires are pieces of data
that you collect if you create questions for people to answer.
Interviews are sort of verbal questionnaires. You ask people
questions and the interviewees will answer them. Observations are
where you write down findings and sightings that are relevant to
what you are looking for.
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Secondary Research Secondary research is where you collect data
from other sources. Examples Newspapers are an example of secondary
research as they give information of the FTSE 100 and they also
show sports tables and music charts. A census is also an example
because it examines large scale trends of where people have lived.
Reports are also an example because they are historical
documents.
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Data-Gathering Agencies Data-Gathering agencies are individual,
organisations that have access to sources of information and the
capability of collecting information from them. Examples BARB or
Broadcasters Audience Research Board collects information that
compiles television ratings. Human Source Intelligence collects,
processes and analyses data that has been collected by humans. The
National Security Agency is responsible for collecting, processing
and reporting their data to the Signals Intelligence.
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Self-Generated Self-Generated research is when you provide
research by your own merits. It becomes self-generated when are
looking back at your own produced content for your own purposes.
Examples If you create a video which will become research when you
look at the different shots and camera angles. If you create your
own photography collection and you look at the different colours
and camera angles then that becomes research. If you create your
own music then it will become research when you research elements
of your music track.
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Purposes of Research
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Audience Research Audience research is communication research
that is the study of people who watch a particular television
programme or film. Examples Internet forums is an example of
audience research as fans discuss what they hope from a film. Focus
groups are another example as people discuss a new product, like a
television film, before it is launched. Audience surveys can also
be an example because people can collect data, like a
questionnaire, on who watches a specific show.
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Market Research Market research is the action of gathering
information about consumers needs and preferences. Examples
Defining the problem can be an example of market research if there
is a problem with the product. Collecting the data is an example of
market research because you could get opinions on the product
through surveys or interviews. Preparing a report is an example of
market research because you could state the problems of the product
and then give solutions of how to solve the problems.
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Production Research Production research is the collection and
analysis of information for the content and production of a media
product. Examples Advertising is an example of production research
as if you advertised a product on a billboard it will get noticed,
or it could have a website for the product. Content is also an
important example because it will find out things like the budget
for the product and the location of where the product will be made.
Viability is another example because it involves researching
skills, and the timescale for how long it will take to make the
product.