Module Catalogue 2024/25

MCH8058 : Methodologies: Researching Media, Culture & Society

MCH8058 : Methodologies: Researching Media, Culture & Society

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Jesus Salazar
  • Lecturer: Ms Paulina Kuranchie, Ms Kellie Daniels, Miss Laura Richards, Dr Chris Haywood
  • Owning School: Arts & Cultures
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

None

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

The aim of this module is to provide students with:

A thorough understanding of the principal media and sociological research methods used in the study of media, culture and society;

A comprehensive understanding of how these research methods operate in practice;

The techniques and skills required to undertake a major research dissertation;

Knowledge of the principal ways of generating research data and specific forms of qualitative analysis;

An understanding of the retrieval of information, location of evidence, analysis, interpretation and synthesis of materials, critical thought and evaluation, questioning of assumptions and, where appropriate, how to relate theory and practice.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module introduces students to a range of methodologies and techniques of data gathering that are central to researching the media, culture and society. It begins by examining ways of generating and analysing research data and investigating specific forms of quantitative and qualitative analysis, with an emphasis on the latter. The foundations of epistemology, methodology and techniques of information gathering and analysis are explored. Key sociological and cultural debates about research methods in media and culture are scrutinised. Students engage with the practical components of conducting research so that students may gain a sophisticated understanding of key aspects of the politics of and ethical issues concerning research methodology in order to enhance the skills they will need to produce a dissertation.

The topics addressed may include the following:
Ontology, epistemology, and methodology;
Quantitative and qualitative research methods and analysis;
Digital ethnography;
Case study, focus group, and interview;
Survey;
Textual and content analysis;
Researching digital media technologies;
Cross-cultural and transnational media research;
Ethical positions;
Dissertation proposal writing;
Dissertation preparation

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
K1: Understand and debate the significance of methodological issues and their relationship to theoretical issues.
K2: Gain a critical understanding of a wide variety of qualitative methods.
K3: Develop a familiarity with the relevance of specific methods to their own research.
K4: Display an understanding of how to develop a research question and transform that question into a research project by drawing on relevant theories and methods of data gathering and analysis pertinent to the research question.
K5: Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the significance of theoretical, critical and historical issues for an understanding of real-world phenomena and experiences.
K6: Develop a critical and reflexive approach to the relationship between researcher and researched subjects.

Intended Skill Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
S1: Apply a broad range of analytical skills to the study of media, PR and cultural issues.
S2: Consider and evaluate their work in a critical and reflexive manner.
S3: Carry out various forms of advanced research for essays, projects, creative productions or dissertations involving sustained independent enquiry.
S4: Independently evaluate, draw upon and apply a range of sources and the conceptual frameworks appropriate to advanced research in the chosen area.
S5: Deliver work to a given length, format, brief and deadline, properly referencing sources and ideas and making use, as appropriate, of a critical and reflexive problem-solving approach, and with an adequate mastery of the English language appropriate for academic purposes.
S6: Gather, organise, digest and deploy substantial amounts of ideas, theoretical concepts and information in order to formulate arguments clearly, and express them effectively in written, oral or in other forms, including digital media.
S7: Manage independently a significant research project (dissertation).

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion220:0040:00N/A
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials111:0011:00Interactive non-synchronous lecture materials delivered online
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture111:0011:00Lectures to be delivered on campus; can be switched online if necessary
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching111:0011:00On-campus seminars; can be switched online if necessary
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1127:00127:00Guided self-study
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lecture and lecture materials convey knowledge about the major research methods available in the study of the media, culture and PR, with a particular focus on the relationship between theory, methodologies and methods. The seminars will provide students with the context for developing their research skills. Students will learn how to apply these skills to the professional contexts that they are likely to encounter on completion of the course. Classes will mix formal instruction experiences with informal advice sessions.

The assessment strategy allows students to enhance the skills needed to conduct a research dissertation on the programme.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Portfolio1M50Portfolio, 2,000 words, mid-module
Research proposal1A50Research proposal, 2,000 words, end-of-module
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Assessment 1: Portfolio (mid-module)

Students produce a 2,000-word portfolio that helps them identify their personal research interests, brainstorm some research ideas, and develop their knowledge and understanding of research methods in Media, Culture and Society as examined during the module.

Additional task-specific criteria are as follows:
- Rigorousness of the definition of the topic, informed by engagement with and understanding of primary and secondary research (S1; K3; K4);
- Demonstration of understanding of how research methods facilitate studies of media, culture and society (K4; K5; S2);
- Analysis of research methods in order to make conclusions about their strengths and weaknesses for studying media and PR (S2; K4);
- Quality of the written structure, including the suitability of academic tone and analysis at postgraduate level (S3; S5; S6).

Assessment 2: Dissertation Project Proposal (end-of-module)

Students produce a 2,000-word research plan in relation to their proposed dissertation. This should include clearly articulated research question or questions, a theoretical framework or initial literature review, a proposed set of methods, ethical considerations, a working bibliography, and/or any other components specified in the assessment brief.

Additional task-specific criteria are as follows:
- Methodological quality of the approach and design of the proposed dissertation, how it aligns with the methodologies taught in the module and the ethical implications of the project (K1; K2; K3; K6);
- Awareness of theoretical and research context and framework drawing on both primary and secondary sources (K5; S1);
- Use of research context and theoretical framework to inform the production of research questions (K4);
- Quality of the structure and planning of your proposal, including the suitability of academic tone for postgraduate research and the quality of referencing (S5; S6; S7).

The reassessment strategy is a resit of the failed component or components.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.