Unit 2

Just a reminder about unit 2...some of you haven't submitted any work. A few of you have but have submitted very little. A reminder of the learning outcomes/unit content

Learning Outcomes:

LO1: Be able to apply research methods and procedures in creative media production contexts
1.1: apply research methods and procedures in a media production context to gather well
focused and useful material

LO2: Be able to ensure the accuracy and validity of research material

2.1 apply correct procedures for collection of accurate
2.2 justify validity of data

LO3: Be able to present research outcomes with due compliance
3.1 use an agreed format to present the outcomes of the research clearly to an audience
3.2 reference material and quotations accurately in a bibliography and credit list
3.3 demonstrate due compliance in all aspects of the research conducted

LO4: Be able to evaluate research processes and outcomes
4.1 evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the research process
4.2 evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the research outcomes
4.3 critically assess areas for further consideration and make recommendations.

Unit content - things you should be considering/touching on

1 Be able to apply research methods and procedures in creative media production contexts

Resources: internet, eg search methods, search engines; libraries, eg catalogues, inter-library loan, borrowing, reference only, microfiches, cuttings libraries, photographic and image libraries, stock shot libraries; archives, eg public records offices, broadcastersʼ archives, newspaper archives, film archives; private collections

Primary sources: interviews (face-to-face, over the telephone, by correspondence, by email); questionnaires;
surveys; focus groups; information leaflets from source; own sources, eg notes, video or tape recording of live events, contacts list; diaries; observation; recces

Secondary sources: text-based, eg books, trade magazines, journals, newspapers, websites, published
research; visual, eg photographs, paintings, film stock; audio, eg radio interviews, radio news broadcasts,
documentaries, archived audio recordings; digital, eg CDROMs, databases

Procedures: note taking; collation of results and materials; cross-referencing materials; graphics; tables; ethical considerations, eg off the record, breach of confidence, protecting sources, moral issues, privacy, public interest, cheque book journalism

Production contexts: eg broadcast journalism, print and electronic articles and features, drama production,
documentary production, computer game story development, website production, speech packages, contributors to programmes, presenter and producer notes, location recce reports

2 Be able to ensure the accuracy and validity of research material 

Accuracy: cross-checking of source; multiple sources; procedural codes, eg BBC producerʼs guidelines, NUJ code of conduct; regulation, eg Press Complaints Commission, Ofcom, BSC, ITC

Validity: reliability of sources; validity of interpretations

3 Be able to present research outcomes with due compliance

Preparation of materials: suitable formats for production and post-production; photographs and archive material to correct format

Presentation format: format appropriate to production, eg written, oral, digital; format appropriate to audience;use of appropriate media

Referencing: appropriate to sources, eg books, journals, internet; methods of referencing, eg Harvard method, Modern Languages Association (MLA); citation; quotation; accreditation; acknowledgements;
credits

Compliance: legal considerations, eg defamation, slander, libel, justification, fair comment, privilege, subjudice, contempt of court, differences in national laws, Official Secrets Act, Defence Advisory Notes (D notices); copyright (licences to use material, duration of copyright, in public domain, photocopying, internet, disclaimers, originality, plagiarism, intellectual integrity); royalty collection agencies,eg PRS, MCPS, ALCS; on-screen credits; permissions, eg release forms, filming permissions, theatrical agents,
specialist agencies, auditions, contracts

4 Be able to evaluate research processes and outcomes

Process: strengths and weaknesses of the research methods used; validity; reliability; alternative routes to the
same information; logistics; recommendations for the future

Outcomes: accuracy; fitness for purpose; ethical issues; feedback, eg audience, client, tutors, peers;
recommendations for the future