Shams Paras Qureshi

Mass Media Research

Research

• Research is the processes of looking for a specific answer to a

specific question in an organized, objective, reliable way
(payton, 1979)
• Scientific research is a systematic, controlled, empirical and
critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the
presumed relations among natural phenomena (kerlinger,
1986).
Research Process

Research process is the overall scheme of scientific activities

in which scientists engage from identification of a research
problem that needs to be solved to its logical end.

Variation exists in the number as well as the order of these

activities/ steps involved in the scientific process.
Wimmer and Dominick (1994) = Eight steps
1. Selection of the problem,
2. Review of existing research and theory,
3. Statement of the hypothesis of research question,
4. Determination of appropriate methodology and research
design,
5. Data collection,
6. Data analysis,
7. Presentation of results,
8. Replication
Nachmias and Nachmias (1976) enlisted seven steps:

problem,
Hypothesis(es)
Research design
Measurement
Data collection,
data analysis
Empirical generalization
Steps in Research Process

Smith (1988) viewed that research process consists

of:

1. Identifying the research problem

2. Formulating the problem statement

3. Defining the terms in the problem statement

4. Selecting an appropriate methodology

5. Observing relevant empirical data

6. Analyzing observational data

Selecting a research topic/ research problem

• What is the purpose of the study? (Academic or applied)

• Who is selecting/ assigning the topic? (The researcher,

University/institution, some organization, etc)

 Selecting the research problem
Sources for selecting a research topic (research problem

• Research journals
• Everyday situations: Every day we are exposed to various types of
communication via radio, TV, newspapers, etc. These exposures can be an
excellent source of research topics for researchers who want to analyze these
situations.
• Research summaries (Meta research): examples are, The Communication
Yearbook, A Research Bibliography, etc.
• Archive data: Gallup Pakistan, Federal Bureau of Statistics, Libraries, etc.
TEXT

EXAMPLEOFPEACEJOURNALISM

▸ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeB1MwpuJkk
TEXT

PEACEJOURNALISM:SUGGESTEDREADING
Hanitzsch, T. (2004) “Journalists as a peacekeeping force? Peace journalism and
mass communication theory” inJournalism Studies, 5 (4), 483-495.

Fawcett, L. (2002) “Why peace journalism isn’t news” in Journalism Studies, 3

(2), 213-223.

Galtung, J. (1996). Peace by Peaceful Means. London: Sage.

Lynch, J., and McGoldrick, A. (2005). Peace Journalism. Gloustershire:

Hawthorn Press.

Matos, C. “Partisanship versus professionalism: the role of the journalist in the

democratisation process” in Journalism and political democracy.
TEXT

PEACEJOURNALISMJOURNAL
▸ The Peace Journalists: http://www.park.edu/center-for-
peace-journalism/peace-journalist-oct-2017-web.pdf
PJ:IMPORTANTWEBSITES
‣ International Center for Journalists
‣ Fuller Project for International Reporting
‣ Search for Common Ground
‣ IVOH: Media as Agents of World Benefit
‣ Solutions Journalism Network
‣ Institute for War and Peace Reporting
‣ Peace News
‣ International Media Support - Conflict Sensitive Journalism
‣ U.S. Institute of Peace
‣ Transcend Media Services - Dr. Johan Galtung
‣ Seeds of Peace
‣ PECOJON-Philippines
‣ Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies - University of Sydney
‣ Carter Center - Peace Projects
‣ International Center for Transitional Justice
‣ Metta Center for Non-Violence (Journalists' toolkit)
War movies to watch
DOING RESEARCH IN PJ& WJ

RESEARCHPROPOSAL
RESEARCH PROPOSAL (RP)

WHATISARESEARCHPROPOSAL(RP)

▸ Expression of intent that the research should take place

▸ It is structured (has around 10 sub-elements)

▸ It is convincing & concise

▸ No verbosity & expressive words

▸ Expresses ideas in simple, direct language

RESEARCH PROPOSAL (RP)

WHATISARP

▸ It is more than a plan!

▸ It should be open to suggestions & modifications by a

research supervisor or university staff

▸ Contribution to knowledge/evidence of new knowledge

▸ Original work

▸ Understanding of concepts, issues, techniques &

methodologies
PARTS OF RP

1)THETITLE

▸ Should explain a topic

▸ Concise: Max13 words standard…but depends

▸ Should be attention-grabbing

▸ e.g. “Fragmented Media Effects in the 2016 U.S.

Presidential Primaries (2017)”

▸ The Short-Term Dynamics of Electoral Violence (2011)”

▸ http://www.qmss.columbia.edu/thesis-titles
PARTS OF RP

2)INTRODUCTION

▸ Introduce readers to the topic

▸ Brief historical overview of the topic

▸ General field of interest & how your topic fits in

▸ Why you are interested in this study

PARTS OF RP

3)SIGNIFICANCEOFTHESTUDY

▸ Discuss your main aim

▸ Discuss significance of the study

▸ Your purpose: What objectives you expect from the study

& what is/are your Research Question(s)

▸ Contribution of your study to the field (e.g. PJ/WJ etc)

▸ Implications for general body of knowledge

PARTS OF RP

4)LITERATUREREVIEW

▸ Link your study to existing research/literature

▸ Literature Review has four functions:

▸ a) Describe earlier research and how your study will help

fill in the Gap;

▸ b) What instruments you will use;

▸ c) Why it is necessary to conduct your study;

▸ d) Delimitation of your study

PARTS OF RP

5)RESEARCHDESIGN/METHODOLOGY
▸ Explain your research method (e.g. Qualitative or
Quantitative)

▸ Data collection

▸ Sampling method

▸ How the method suits your Research Question

▸ How will you present results of your study

▸ Which Software will you use

PARTS OF RP

6)EXPECTEDRESULTS

▸ What results you expect based on your observations,

hypothesis etc

▸ What are your key assumptions & what are the limitations
of your assumptions

▸ You may use a pilot study or fragments of previous studies

to forecast your possibleoutcomes
PARTS OF RP

7)ETHICALSTATEMENT

▸ What kind of instruments will you use (in case it involves

research on humans or animals

▸ Following other standard research ethics

PARTS OF RP

8)TIMEFRAME

▸ How much time will you need to complete your study

PARTS OF RP

9)REFERENCES