Research Report

Research Report

Introduction

What is research?

Google’s definition of ‘Research’ is: “the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.”

My own views on research: Research is a key part to anything that you want to become successful. Without research it’s like you're walking in pitch-black but with research you’re walking with a light at your feet - you can see/make out the direction you’re going to be heading and not going in any direction. Think of it as a path, if you can make out where you are walking, you will arrive at your destination. If you walk without knowing where you are, you’re going to be heading into the wrong direction.

Research is basically finding out information in various different ways that will help you with your production/product/whatever you are creating. As Google says; "it’s there to to establish facts and to reach new conclusions." This can be based on almost anything, hardware for computers, cameras. New phone technology, who likes bigger or smaller phones etc…

Types of Research:

There are various types of research that are used to establish different results. These are:

Secondary Research:

Secondary research is basically collecting data from the original source or

distribution of primary research. In other words, Gathering information that has already been gathered. Secondary research is great because you can use it to support primary research. You can use it to compare your own findings and come up with all sorts of results.

Primary Research:

Primary research is new research, carried out to answer specific issues or questions. It can involve questionnaires, surveys or interviews with individuals or small groups. What is carried out yourself. It is personal to you, and you can adapt anything to suit you. You have complete control over how or what you find out from people. Things like the style of question you are asking somebody.

Audience Research:

Research into habits and make-up of the audience from a specific tv or radio show/

programme/network.

Audience research basically gives a company an idea of what product they should produce/how the should produce it for the broadest audience. It is great to do, as with any research, because they can then design a product that should sell quite successfully, this is because they are designing the product to what customers will want and, therefore, purchase or view, which ultimately gets the company money.

Market Research:

How other products are competing/ How can the company create something in competition to other similar products, e.g smart phones.

Market research, it’s researching into the latest technology that’s out. A typical example would be a company looking at other companies idea and then twisting it and put their brand on it, just like Apple and Samsung - there are constantly copying each other with ideas. But it can be successful and it does get companies sales.  

Production Research:

Researching into the factors, competition etc.. to satisfy the recognised needs/want of a service

/product. Helps you make your production as best as possible. Also ensuring that the production process will go smoothly and safely.

Similar to audience research, production research is finding out what customers would best want when it comes down to a service or product. Such as a tv, console, phone and so on.

This is great because the company will then go away and review what customers wants. They can then create a product or design a service to that exact specification and then the customer will be happy. It is best to do it to the broadest option however. Because this will get the company the most amount of money.

Uses of research:

Just imagine trying to create a product with no idea of who would like that product or what about that product would be their best selling point. They would make a product that isn’t successful and that not many people will purchase. But if they research into what people actually want they can cater best for the largest scale. Research is a vital part of any production process. It puts the lens in focus, as it were. Different types of research is required to gather different types of information. It will also give you the broadest result when various different research is gathered.

Conclusion:

Research is just so important to people who want to create media. As I said at the beginning “Without research it’s like you're walking in pitch-black but with research you’re walking with a light at your feet - you can see/make out the direction you’re going to be heading and not going in any direction.” This is exactly the reason why it is so important, so they can see where they are heading, so they can plan and aim for the goal that they have set. With a goal they are much more likely to achieve it with ease instead of a bumpy ride where they are on and off of the tracks.