Research Report Template

Title:
“The importance of conducting research in preparation for producing a creative media product”

Introduction:
Explain what research is and why we conduct research when producing a media
product
Research is the investigation and seeking of new information and data that we do not
already possess. From research findings we should be able to draw new conclusions
about a specific audience, market place or production. When producing a media product
it is important to conduct thorough and detailed research using a range of methods
including primary and secondary so that we can make informed and educated decisions
about how to appeal to our target audience, what specific content we should include in
the media product and to have an insight into how our product will be received in the
marketplace.
Here you should also cover what the following mean:
- quantitative
- qualitative
- primary
- secondary
Whilst researching we can implement different types of research that provide us with
different types of data. This includes quantitative research, which provides us with
statistical and easily measurable data and information which can often be presented in
the form of graphs or charts so that it can be quickly and easily analysed. Qualitative
research on the other hand provides us with more detailed and opinion-based
information which is more difficult to collate into measurable charts or graphs as it is
often conceptual, word associated.
During the research process we can use primary methods which involve us or someone
in our team conducting the research directly themselves to seek new information that
has not already been collated and published by another individual or organisation.
Some of the primary methods include:
• Focus groups
• Questionnaires/surveys
• Observations
• Interviews
We can also use secondary research methods that involve using information that others
have already collated and published. Examples of secondary research methods include:
• Websites
• Articles
• Newspapers
 • Magazines
• Video/Audio content

Audience Research:
• In this section explain what audience research is (audience data, audience
profiling, demographics, geodemographics, consumer behaviour, consumer
attitudes, audience awareness);
• And why it is important to conduct audience research
• Explain what audience research you have conducted on the course for various
projects
• Discuss whether it provided you with quantitative or qualitative data
• Explain whether you used primary or secondary methods to gather audience
data
• Analyse how this specific research supported you in producing a media product
and why it was so important LINKING TO SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM YOUR
WORK
Key examples I can discuss:
• Questionnaire
• Focus group

Market Research:
• In this section explain what market research is (product market, competition,
competitor analysis);
• And why it is important to conduct market research
• Explain what market research you have conducted on the course for various
projects
• Discuss whether it provided you with quantitative or qualitative data
• Explain whether you used primary or secondary methods to gather market data
• Analyse how this specific research supported you in producing a media product
and why it was so important LINKING TO SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM YOUR
WORK
Key examples I can discuss:
• Watching other documentaries
• Reviewing the likes/dislikes/number of views/audience comments and
reviews

Production Research:
• In this section explain what production research is (content, viability, placement
media, finance, costs, technological resources, personnel, locations)
• And why it is important to conduct production research
• Explain what production research you have conducted on the course for various
projects
• Discuss whether it provided you with quantitative or qualitative data
• Explain whether you used primary or secondary methods to gather production
data
 • Analyse how this specific research supported you in producing a media product
and why it was so important LINKING TO SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM YOUR
WORK
Key examples I can discuss:
• Conducting a location recce/s
• Researching most appropriate equipment for filming
• Researching contributors/interviewees
• Researching statistics/facts about subject of documentary

Conclusion:
From the research I have conducted, I can conclude that:
The advantages of conducting primary research are...

The disadvantages of conducting primary research are...

The advantages of conducting secondary research are...

The disadvantages of conducting secondary research are...

Reflect upon the effectiveness of the research you have conducted:
• Explain how useful and relevant it was to supporting you in producing a
successful media product LINK TO SPECIFIC EXAMPLES
• Discuss how accurate & reliable you think your research findings were and why
• Discuss whether any of your research was biased/subjective
• Explain how you would improve your research skills for future projects