For
the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them (Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics).
Self-reliance
and self-learning are your greatest assets (Lailah
Gifty Akita, Pearls of WisdomL Great mind).
Research;
the quest for in-depth knowledge and wisdom (Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of WisdomL Great
mind).
We
ought to do academic research on media and culture since we are willing to
learn and understand the cultural Globalization and the idea of Westernization.
Throughout the upcoming three months, I should be capable of working out the
research questions that are closely related to my topic of the individual
research essay and they are essential to the aspect of Media Culture 2 (Media
and Cultural Studies). Besides, adequate approaches and resources (Primary and
Secondary Resources) should be involved as one of the important part / area of
my research project/essay. Also, I would ensure that the sources (e.g. Textbook
and Online / Electronic Article) are scholarly acknowledged. The tools I would
like to make use of them are HKU library and Google Scholar etc.
There
are two research methods, which are qualitative research and quantitative research.
In regard to the qualitative research, it consists of ethnography and
participant observation. Moreover, narrative, discourse and semiotics analysis
should be included. Reception Analysis needed to be established, such as
interviews and surveys for the focus / specific groups of people (e.g. age,
gender, behavior). In regard to the quantitative research, it is simpler from
my point view since it requires to conduct a simply constructed survey /
questionnaire and content analysis that associates with the selected research
topic.
Strengths
of qualitative research:
1. Beneficial
for describing complex phenomena
2. Offer
in-depth / individual case information
3.
I (Researcher) would have a chance to study
dynamic processes
4.
Data and materials are usually collected in
naturalistic settings
Weaknesses of
qualitative research:
1.
Knowledge produced might not generalized to
other people or other settings
2.
The results are more easily influenced by the
researcher’s personal biases
3.
It basically takes more time / effort to collect
and analyze the data / material
Strengths of
quantitative research:
1.
The researcher’s design can eliminate the
influence of many variables
2.
The research results are relatively independent
of the research
3.
Research findings can be generalized with random
samples
4.
It is advantageous for studying huge numbers of
people / subjects
Weaknesses of
quantitative research:
1.
The measurement process possess an artificial
sense of precision and accuracy
2.
It fails to distinguish people and social
institutions from the world of nature
For my
research topic, I am still deciding between proposed research topic 5 (Spaces
of subculture) and proposed research topic 7 (Media ownership and media content).
In regard to topic 5, it is possible to select Eastern and Western restaurants
(茶餐廳) compare to the others (e.g.
Chinese / Japanese / Taiwanese / Thai food)?
References:
Media Culture 2 Powerpoint Week 1
Media Culture 2 Powerpoint Week 2
Student Name: Chu Chi Wai (SID: 10550989)
Dear Chi Wai, The summary of the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative research methods is nice. The introduction demonstrates your effort in reading additional articles. For the research topic, your suggestion about restaurants is not closely related to subculture. The Hong Kong-style teahouse is interesting place to examine. But instead of comparison, my suggestion is to focus on how it has become a place for a specific community to emerge, e.g. a place for neighbours / workers to gather. Another angle is about how it become a gender specific place.
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