Research Methods in Media Studies

Not applicable

Commits in allowing a participatory learning context. The suggestion is to approach the program with both individual and group activities. It is expected that the face to face moments to be empowered by presentations and previously prepared exercises. This strategy demands from the students a careful reading of the bibliography, teamwork, and the preparation for the moments of presentations, debate and answering questions. The evaluation system values participation and fulfillment of the objectives in the programmed tasks, both individual and in group.

Create a learning environment around scientific research for the study of Media. It is expected that the students have the opportunity to understand the complexities of a research process and to develop an informed judgment about it, as a contribution to their formation as potential investigators. The global set of competences to develop focus on the following topics: Understand the role of scientific research Describe and use methods of bibliographic management Recognize the different parts of a research project, from the characteristics of a research question, the formulation of hypothesis, variables, gathering and analysing data, and the discussion of results Distinguish qualitative from quantitative methods and identify subtypes of scientific studies more suitable for Media studies Use strategies of writing for scientific production

1. Introduction to scientific research 1.1. Ethics in research 2. Scientific production about the Media 2.1. Computer programs for bibliographic management 2.2. Bibliography citation styles 2.3. Advaced strategies for bibliographic research 2.4. Conferences and publications in the área of the Media 3. Phases for a research project 4. Quantitative research models aplyed to Media studies 4.1. Types of quantitative studies 4.2. Audience studies 4.3. Poll studies 4.4. Statistical methods for quantitative analysis of data 5. The qualitative approach to Media studies 5.2. Cultural and social studies 5.3. Focal groups 5.4. Methods and techniques for qualitative data analysis 6. Strategies to write for scientific production

NAO

Berger, A. A. (2010). Media and Communication Research Methods: An Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Thousand Oaks USA: SAGE Publications INC.

Davies, M. M., & Mosdell, N. (2007). Practical Research Methods for Media and Cultural Studies: Making People Count. Athens: University of Georgia Press.

Deacon, D., Pickering, M., Golding, P., & Murdock, G. (2007). Researching Communications: A Practical Guide to Methods in Media and Cultural Analysis (2.º ed.). London, UK: Hodder Education.

Rapley, T. J. (2001). The art(fulness) of open-ended interviewing: some considerations on analysing interviews. Qualitative Research, 1(3), 303-323.

Weerakkody, N. (2008). Research Methods for Media & Communications. South Melbourne: OUP Australia & New Zealand.