Critically Reviewing Research Reports

 

REVIEWING RESEARCH REPORTS

(a)   Title:

Human Capital. 2008. Public service broadcasting now and in the future — audience attitudes. A report plus research appendix by Human Capital.  [O]. http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/howwework/reports/pdf/now_future.pdf Accessed 2014/07/11

The title is focused. It gives the scope of the research as well as who the target population is.

The abstract in the form of “key messages from the report”, is representative of the research project. It describes how the research was conducted as well as summarises the main points from the research.

The introduction is comprehensive and it describes the aim of the study, the research design and who the commissioner of the research is.  The abstract and introduction are different as the introduction is an outline of what is going to be investigated and how while the abstracts presents a summary of key points from the research.

The problem statement is clear which is to research the attitudes that exists about public broadcasting and plurality (Human Capital 2008).

The reason for the study has be explained.

The study has five objectives which can be turned into research questions (Human Capital 2008). They are:

·         What is the perceived importance of public service broadcasting and the perceived performance of broadcasters in delivering it?

·         What are the existing attitudes to the plurality of provision of public broadcasting?

·         What are the attitudes to new potential sources of funding for public service broadcasting in the future?

·         What is the audience relationship with the public service broadcasters and the perceived value of the BBC?

The author does not justify the need for the research to a satisfactory level and there is no literature review. The paper can however be used by media workers and students in Britain.

The theoretical framework is clearly defined as qualitative and quantitative. The researchers will first conduct workshops and explore the existing attitudes held then quantify the results from surveys to make generalisations (Human Capital 2008).

The author justifies to a satisfactory level the research approach used. The sampling method used is also described as a deliberate sample. The sample size is not enough to yield reliable results and for the authors to be able to make generalisations, they need a bigger sample that is more representative of the target population. The data collection method is through a quantitative survey, making use of questionnaires (Human Capital 2008).

The method of analysis is consistent with the research questions and design. The workshops will provide in-depth information about existing attitudes and the surveys will, in addition, will provide the empirical value of the responses. The results are clearly describes.

The discussion of the results is in line with the theoretical framework and they answer the research questions. The significance of the research is questionable due to the sample size.

There are no limitations discussed. The sample size is a limitation as it affects the reliability of the study and its significance.

The conclusions shows the need to continue providing public service broadcasting which may and that the licence fee of public service broadcasting plays a role in shaping attitudes about this kind of broadcasting so policies may be reviewed as result. The conclusion does not introduce new information.

 

(b)   Title:

Lloyd, L, Duncan, J, Minnie, J, & Bussiek, H. 2010. Public broadcasting in Africa. A survey. South Africa country report.  [O]. http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/images/uploads/Annexure_D_-_Afrimap_Research.pdf Accessed 2014/07/11

The title is properly introduced and the authors have given the target population as well as context of the study. The focus of the survey is on public broadcasting in the continent of Africa and not all media which makes this title direct and clear.

The abstract, in the form of a foreword, is very comprehensive and coherent. From the onset, it informs the reader about the aim of the study and the key areas of focus. The population and sample is given as well as the survey instrument (Lloyd 2010).

The introduction gives a good sense of what the research is about, public broadcasting and its role in development and democracy in Africa. It also informs the reader that the researchers are not only focusing on how public broadcasting scene looks like currently but has looked at past developments and then looks at future prospects. Public interest is one of the main reasons for the research. The introduction briefly explains the progression of the research. (Lloyd 2010). The introduction and abstract do differ at some level as the foreword is more focused on the problem in the context of Africa while the introduction narrows the focus specifically to South Africa.

The purpose of the study is explained well.

The problem statement of this survey can be understood to be the role played by public broadcasting to enhance democracy and development in Africa, with a special focus on South Africa. This survey does have research questions although they not easily identifiable. The authors can improve on this point. The questions are what is the role played by media ownership in development and democracy; does the current state of public broadcasting promote the principles of democracy such as transparency; what are the current reform efforts being made towards democratically consolidating Africa; and what contributions has the SABC made towards development and democracy in Africa? The researchers has not adequately justified the research problem and research questions. As much as the research lacks certain points, the report can be published in a journal as it a good read for students and can inspire follow-up or more research. (Llyod 2010).

The survey does show evidence of a literature review as the researchers have studied the constitution of South Africa and other documents and have also consulted experts. It does not, however persuade the reader about the need for the research.

The theoretical framework is not adequately explained. The researchers do not explain whether the research is qualitative or quantitative or both. The study is said to be done as a survey but who the actual participant is, is unknown, whether documents, institutions or media workers. There is a need for a clear theoretical framework.

The researcher explains very well how the research will contribute to understanding public broadcasting in Africa. Reliability and validity of the study have not been discussed. Reports from Statistics South Africa were also used.

It is difficult to say whether the method of analysis is in line with the research design as the research design is not described. The study does, however, explain the texts read as well as statistics and makes recommendations.

The results are not clear.

The findings discussed and recommendation are explained with reference to the main problem of the public broadcaster’s role in contributing to democracy and development in Africa.

The researchers mention that at the time of the study, there was information that was left out and needed to be added on the updated version but the implications of this are not mentioned.

The study does have conclusions and recommendations for each section of the study and these show the need to review policy as the media still feels harassed at times while they are said to have media freedom. No new information has been included in the main conclusion but there is new information made in the conclusions of sections such as the quote by Professor G. Berger (Lloyd 2010:53).

 

 

SOURCES CONSULTED

Human Capital. 2008. Public service broadcasting now and in the future — audience attitudes. A report plus research appendix by Human Capital.  [O].  http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/howwework/reports/pdf/now_future.pdf Accessed 2014/07/11

Lloyd, L, Duncan, J, Minnie, J, & Bussiek, H. 2010. Public broadcasting in Africa. A survey. South Africa country report.  [O].  http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/images/uploads/Annexure_D_-_Afrimap_Research.pdf Accessed 2014/07/11