Unit 3 - research notes

Different types of research

- Qualitative (opinions from people. For example - a film review,discussion,reaction to television programme)

- Quantitative  (numbers and data. For example - audience viewing figures,DVD sales,box office sales,audience breakdowns by group, how many men/women)

Lets compare...

Advantages of qualitative
- Results can guide a project to success (feedback)
- Can inform future research
- Is a rich source of information (detailed information)

Disadvantages of qualitative
- Can be tricky to get exact results (may differ)
- Findings are a result of lots of variables (who,where,when)
- Has the impression of being less valid.

Advantages of quantitative
- Easy to analyse (clear results from graphs,charts etc)
- Facts can be used in your favour (percentages,statistics)

Disadvantages of quantitative
- Results are without detail (usually binary,yes or no)
- Doesn't inform you for future research

 Research methods -
Primary research - research undertaken by yourself or your group (first hand) (interview,survey,questionnaire,focus groups,participating in internet forums)

Secondary research - previous research undertaken by others that you can use to inform your own research (internet,books,magazines,archive footage,online articles)

Data gathering agencies - certain agencies are set up to gather and publicise information (BARB,TV ratings)

Purposes of research
- Content (the story, what its going to be about, what sources of information you may need? interviewees? Qualitative data will be best for this)
- Equipment
- Crew
- Cast

Audience research which includes -
Audience profiles - audiences can be broken up into the different groups (can market and advertise to specific audience)

Age/Location/gender/sexuality/race/ethnicity/mainstream/alternative/niche

Market research which includes..
- competition (whats already out there, successful documentaries already out, documentaries with similar content)
- competitor analysis (why were competitor documentaries successful? content,style,filmmaker/presenter)
- advertising placement (how should the documentary be marketed? videos,trailers,billboards etc)

Using examples -
- why is it a good example (it may not be the first one you find)
- is it easy to analyse?
- why did you choose that example over others?
- how does the example change/confirm your understanding?

Structure -
Opening - research plan (what your going to do)
production - quality,quantitive, primary,secondary
audience
market
conclude