Five credible sources for Qualitative Research
By Garland-Waide Bradford
As highlighted in the previous blog, the literature review is an important part of the research process. This makes it important for the researcher to find sources that can be counted on to be reliable with regards to the information it contains. In an online world, it is easier to access information both on the web as well as in the local library.
Source 1
The editorial board includes:
Professor Yahya R Kamalipour, Dr. Heather Anderson ,Dr. Nancy Snow, and a number of academics in the United States of America who focuses on communication and media research.
Global media journal covers issues around the research of communication and media. The articles are broken up into bi-annual publications, the archive goes back to 2002. These archives deal with research that has taken place not just in the USA but also in the Russian Federation and other countries. These research articles look at how different researchers look at communication and media in the social context the researchers find themselves in.
Global Media Journal publishes research from smaller and lesser known institutions. The current issue covers research done in mostly Russian institutions. The research tends to lean towards criticism of the West. However, it does give insight into communication and mass media research outside of the largely Western context we learn from as students.
“The first issue of Global Media Journal, devoted to exploring the world of communication …” (Welcome to the journal … 2016).
Each article follows the requirements of research publication. It provides the methodology used which makes it possible for the reader to critically analyse the content of the articles. The references that are sited can be followed up on which makes it possible for the reader to investigate the sources the article made use of.
Source 2
McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory 6th edition
Denis McQuail
DDC: 302.23 MCQU
McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory looks at various theories around mass communication. Each theory is not presented in isolation but given context so that the reader could see how the theorist came to their conclusions within the theories. Where it is possible the book also explains the history and origins of a certain phenomenon within communications.
The author of the book is candid in explaining that the context of many of the theories follows his experience and context as a Western man. This is very clear in how many of the theories are presented. This gives the reader the opportunity to look at if these theories could apply to a context outside of the West. This makes it engaging.
In addition, no “science of communication” can be independent and self-sufficient, given the origins of the study of communication in many disciplines and wide-ranging nature of the issue that arise, including matters of economics, law, politics and ethics as well as culture.” D, McQuail (2010:15)
The book has been written by Professor Emeritus Denis McQuail who has spent many years studying the phenomenon of mass communication. The book also has an extensive reference list which makes it possible to verify the authors claims and the theories sited in the text.
Source 3
Communications Research: Techniques, methods and applications 2nd edition
G,M, du Plooy
DDC 302.2072 DUPL
The book explains the techniques, methods and how to apply these in research. It helps the reader understand both qualitative and quantitative research. It becomes a quick reference for the researcher to be able to refer to during the research process to make sure that scientific method is being adhered to.
The book is very helpful with regards to qualitative research especially if it the researcher is not familiar with its techniques. It provides a detailed explanation of what it is and which research processes need to be adhered to in order for research to be considered valid. It does this in a way that would be familiar to the researcher, allowing for easy access to information that is required in a timeous fashion.
On page 93 of the book, it gives an example of what an Executive Summary looks like. It is separated from the rest of the text by placing it in a frame and titled as an Executive summary. This helps a researcher identify what type of research would best work for the question that is to be investigated. G,M, du Plooy (2009: 93)
The author of the boom Professor GM du Plooy has published many articles in the field of Communication Science and research. The book and author, as a member of the University of South Africa faculty, were subject to the rigorous process of peer review.
Source 4
Media Studies Volume 3: Media content and media audiences
P,J, Fourie
DDC 302.23 MEDI
The book takes an in-depth look at media content and its audiences. It has a comprehensive overview of the various theories applicable to content and audiences. The book also gives context to the different elements that can be measured in content. Together these elements make it possible to understand how media research can be applied to the making of content.
In comparison to Professor, GM du Plooy’s book the book does not give the researcher an easy access to how different research processes are conducted. However, the book does give insight into the application of research to content. It also looks at which elements of research has been used as a way to explain media texts. It also gives context for the elements in content which can be studied as part of a qualitative research.
“…, Visual Text Analysis, also by Trudie du Plooy, is of a more practical nature, showing the reader how to do a practical analysis of, for example, pictorial codes in static filmic shots and picturisation through movement in film and television, auditory code …” P,J, Fourie(XXI:2009)
The book draws from various sources of research and studies to justify its claims. The bibliography reveals a way to verify the books claims. The author is part of the Unisa faculty which puts books written by its faculty through peer review and testing its findings before it is published.
Source 5
Doing social research: A global context
Wagner, C. Kawulich, B. Garner, M.
DDC 300.721 DOIN
The book takes the reader through the research process. It provides practical examples that give the context of what research in a social context is and what it requires. The book also contains many case studies to show the researcher what to look out for and what the pitfalls of not following the scientific method are. These are conducted their research.
The book works like a map to guide the student through the research process. This makes it an easy to use guide to help avoid pitfalls in research. The many case studies available in the book help form a picture of what the journey the researcher is about to embark on will be like. The focus of these and the content of the book is Southern Africa. This gives context to a researcher living in the developing world.
The book gives an insight into the LoveLife campaign’s research on page 19 as one of the case studies it makes use of throughout the chapter.
The sources used can be verified through investigating the books bibliography. The books also subscribes to research techniques and methods that are used by books across the spectrum of research because it’s making use of the scientific method.
Sources Consulted
du Plooy, GM. 2009. Communications Research: Techniques, methods, and applications 2nd edition. Juta & Co: Cape Town.
Fourie, PJ. 2009. Media Studies Volume 3: Media content and media audiences. Juta & Co Ltd: Cape Town.
McQuail, D. 2010. McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory 6th edition. Sage: Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC.
University of South Africa. Department of Communication Science. 2016. CMNHONE
University of South Africa. Department of Communication Science. 2016. Media research: Tutorial letter101/0/2016 for COM4802.
Wagner, C, Kawulich, B & Garner, M. 2012. Doing social research: A global context. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
