Doing
Social Research: A Global Context
ISBN: 9780077126407
Author: Wagner.C, Kawulich.B, Garner.M
This handbook was written specifically for
students and teachers in Southern Africa, taking the reader from the basics of
understanding social research, through the process of developing a research
topic, understanding methodologies and analysing the data. It has helpful
chapter summaries, example boxes and usual links for further reading online.
This can be used as a tool by teachers or as a guide for the novice researcher
wanting guidance while conducting a research project.
This is a useful addition to the arsenal of
the novice researcher. The book has been well thought-out, following the
process a researcher should take in their thinking. Usefully, its layout is
such that one can easily pick it up during one’s research and find information on
the step they’re working on. It is also an easy read, presented without
convoluted language, but rather illustrated with contemporary examples –
particularly useful for the South African student who would recognise many of
the scenarios.
The book has clearly been the result of a
great deal of planning, thinking, research and input from young researchers as
it answers many of the demands someone – like me – would have. The balance
between examples, theory and additional online resources allows the reader to
come to a well-rounded understanding of how to conduct a research project. This
has already been used multiple times in my short research stint.
Qualitative
Media Analysis
ISBN: 9781452230054
Author:
Altheide. D, Schneider. C
Considerate
of the student, this book shows the reader the importance of resourcing beyond
traditional academic publications and posits the importance of primary
documents when it comes to researching the media and social media. It provides
useful analysis of the various forms of media and how these might be used in
research.
This book
covers an array of media and stimulates interest in doing further research –
specifically as there are so many new platforms and influences; these are not
always defined and it is on the reader’s onus to uncover them in real life.
There are also practical examples and templates of how one might design research
protocol – particularly useful in comparative analysis.
The
content covered in this publication is vast and it acts as a compendium to
other research publications. I do not believe this can be used in isolation,
but is useful while interpreting media and planning how data might fit into one’s
study.
Social Research Methods
ISBN: 9780199689453
Author:
Bryman, A.
Unlike some of the other sources listed
here, this book covers both qualitative and quantitative research methods
making it particularly useful for understanding mixed-methods of research
useful for social research and applying to the diversity of the media
landscape. The book introduces research designs and theory before walking the
reader through literature reviews, planning and conducting research with useful
checklists and chapter summaries. The book is divided into four parts:
qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods and an introductory section to the
research process.
This is a very large and very detailed
book, and yet the some 700 pages are not intimidating. It is easily consumable
and, thanks to its structure, is easy to navigate. I found the pull-out boxes
of key concepts particularly helpful and the “student experiences” an
interesting and appropriate addition for a student-centred book.
Written by a British author, this
encyclopedic book has a different feel to some of its American (and South African!)
counterparts. Alan Bryman has also had a distinguished academic career, being
published in multiple journals and books. But it is the thoughtfulness in the
book’s pitching that gives this great credibility. It would appear that Bryman
took his own advice and worked closely with post-graduate students in
understanding their needs. Coupled with range of sources cited, this is a “one-stop-shop”
for understanding research.
Management
of Electronic and Digital Media
ISBN-13: 978-1111344375
Author: Albarran, B.
This is a go-to publication for
understanding the contemporary digital media landscape, along with how it is
structured, managed and executed. Usefully, the book includes case studies to
show how media structures and historical decisions have influenced the output
we encounter daily. From theories to ethics, management and financial drivers,
the book takes into account the major factors that have shaped the industry and
how these are interrelated.
Written for both the teacher and the
student, this is thoughtfully layed out with definitions, examples and multiple
tables. The book is dense, but not difficult to get through, instead it is
thorough and poses as a useful reference book for those researching media
easy-to-follow subheadings and text that is succinct. It is, however, very
American focused which in part is a result of the fact that American media
holds great influence over global media and the fact that Albarran is American.
Indeed, he is a highly acclaimed author,
having won multiple awards and having presented around the world. A professor
in the Department of Media Arts at the University of North Texas, Denton, he is
a self-described teacher, researcher and consultant. This coupled with the
number of editions the book has had – owing not only to its popularity, but
also the speed at which the digital media landscape is changing, suggests this
has been a useful publication for many.
15
Steps to Good Research
Adapted from the Association of Colleges
and Research Libraries "Objectives for Information Literacy
Instruction"
This one-page, 15 point webpage from
Georgetown University can be used as a checklist while conducting one’s research.
Its value, however, is in the additional links it provides to other
internationally renowned universities. It is not academic in nature, but will
assist a researcher in presenting their research to an academic community.
From learning how to write a thesis statement
to evaluating Internet sources and addressing copyright basics and plagiarism,
this webpage serves as a tool for ensuring the production of a research paper
with integrity – as supported by six other universities.
It is for this reason that I would feel
comfortable making use of this as a checklist or toolkit. The range of
universities cited gives the reader confidence and offers the webpage some
integrity. While this is not a research document or academic publication, it
will be revisited in guiding my research paper in the hope that I will produce
something worthy of any international learning institution.
Sources
consulted
Library.georgetown.edu.
(2017). 15 Steps to Good Research | Georgetown University Library.
[online] Available at: http://www.library.georgetown.edu/tutorials/research-guides/15-steps
[Accessed 25 May 2017].
Albarran, A. (2017). Management of electronic and digital media.
6th ed. Boston: Cengage Learning
Altheide,
D. (1996). Qualitative media analysis. 1st ed. Thousand
Oaks [u.a.]: Sage.
Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods. 4th ed. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Wagner,
C., Kawulich, B., Garner, M. and Botha, A. (2012). Doing social research. 1st ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
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