How Cultural Theory Informs Different Modes of Media Research - Essay Example

Interview and Survey in Journalism and Publishing Insert Insert How cultural theory informs different modes of media research Anthropological identification of culture is no longer substantive to understand and elaborate contemporary societies and their experiences. In addition, gathering of different information of individual’s perceptions around a common object of study, like culture offers the possibility of developing a distinctive zone of study in the new methods of analysis. It is a sensitive affair in the field of journalism about publishing where it will have a subsection to public consumption. Comparison of survey and interview Survey is a research tool that researchers can use to collect data that will enable them to make a good decision. On the other hand, Interview is the dialog between two or more individuals in that, the interviewer asks questions in order to get facts from the interviewee. In addition, they are a standard part of qualitative research thus used in journalism and media reporting and various employment-related fields. As a result, both interview and survey have a common goal of obtaining facts to enable the researcher to make a wise decision. Like any other written survey, interviews allow for a meaningfully higher degree of familiarity with participants, regularly revealing confidential information to their interviewers in an actual, face-to-face scenario. On the other hand, Survey technique is often used to assess thoughts, opinions, and feelings. Survey research can be concrete and limited for it to get a direct answer or opinion. As a result, the two research technique has a different mechanism of approaching their research, but all have the same objective of finding a solution to a problem. However, both survey and interview have advantages and disadvantages that any journalist or researcher has to put into consideration before making the decision. The two research methods are as follows. Survey Benefits of Survey Research Survey is a research tool that researchers can use to collect data that will enable them to make a good decision. However, survey has both advantages and disadvantages that any journalist or researcher has to put into consideration. Consider the benefits of the study as a research method. Cost Surveys are relatively affordable. Particularly mobile survey and online surveys have a tiny cost per respondent. Even if the respondents receive motivation, the cost per response is often less than the cost of managing a paper survey or phone survey (Trager et al. 2010). For the outcome of the potential responses can be in the thousands. Extensive In the field of journalism, Surveys are helpful in describing the characteristics of a bigger population. No other research mechanism can provide the wider capability that ensures a more accurate sample to gather targeted results that will help to draw conclusions and make necessary decisions. Flexible The administration of Surveys can be in many modes, including online surveys, social media investigations, email surveys, paper surveys, mobile surveys, and face-to-face interview surveys (Dubey and Pandey 2009). In addition, for remote respondents, using a mixed mode of survey research may be necessary. That is administering both online surveys and paper surveys to gather responses and compile survey outcome into one set of data, ready for analysis. Dependable Research and journalism research needs concrete results and at the same time ensure confidentiality of the source of information. As a consequence, the secrecy of surveys enables respondents to answer questions with more honest and valid responses. To get an accurate data, one needs respondents to be as honest and as possible with the answers they are giving (Eribo and Tanjong 2002). As a result, conducting Surveys anonymously will provide correct and unambiguous answers than other techniques of research methodologies. Surveys are easy to develop and cannot give the journalist hard time to design or formulate. More so, when a writer is using the advanced survey software, the study will be accessible and will quickly find solutions to the statement problem. Survey that has software solutions has multi-mode abilities for mobile surveys. However, surveys have several advantages that can convince the journalist to decide to use survey over other methods of research. In addition, the benefits of the study includes; it is relatively easy to administer, takes less time to develop, also the journalist can carry out its administration remotely via online, mobile devices and email. In addition, the writer can also collect a lot of data from a large number of respondents within a short period. Data errors as a result of item non-responses may exist. The errors will make the research conclusion not be reliable for it can provide misleading information. Finally, the survey method can also encounter a lot of technicalities that can cause the system not be reliable. Interview Examples of interviews Informal interview: In this type of interview, there are no predetermined questions asked. General interview: It is supposed to ensure that the collection of general information is from each one of the interviewee; it also allows a degree of freedom and adaptability in extracting information from the respondent. Open-ended interview: Open-ended questions are asked to each interviewee, hence facilitating faster interviews that can be easily analyzed and compared. Closed, fixed-response interview: In this type of interview those being interviewed are asked the same questions and have to choose answers from among the same set of options. Such format is useful for those who have not practiced in interviewing. Advantages of interview Natural correction of speech: In case of any misunderstanding and mistake, it can be easily corrected in an interview. It is because the interviewer and interviewee are physically present before the interview board. Collection of primary information: Interview may help interviewer collect information that is fresh, new and major as needed from the interviewed journalists. Sufficient information: Through interview, enough information can be gathered; this is because the interviewer can opt to ask any question to the interviewee. Saves time: Interview can help the management to save time to select the most appropriate candidate. Within a very short period, the board questioning the interviewees can accomplish the intended task. Less costly: Interview is less expensive compared to another process of communication. It is very simple and small expensive method of communication. Increasing knowledge: Interview helps increase knowledge of both interviewer and the interviewee. Both can interchange views and ideas that the other party might be unaware off. In-depth analysis: Through a planned interview, very detailed information can be gathered which helps in the proper analysis of a problem (Moll 1999). There should be an evaluation of factors like attitudes, feelings, and opinions. Helps in solving labor problems: In any given media organization, labor unrest and other disputes are commonly witnessed making human resource managers sometimes use interview as means of revealing the causes behind the labor deputes. Disadvantages of interview It acts as an incomplete process; the interviewers cannot select the suitable journalist through interview method only. The written test has to accompany thus making it incomplete. No record; In the case of face to face interview, some confusion may arise in the future since there will be no saved evidence about discussion at the meeting. Lack of attention; one needs a lot of attention for a good interview. But you may sometimes find that both the interviewer and the interviewee can be less attentive. As a result, it made it not to obtain real information from the journalist. Journalist can feel Disappointed; the Interviewee may be disappointed as he faces the interviewer’s tough questions that cannot relate to his field (Matt and Abdul 2008). It is the reason to leave a suitable candidate. Time-consuming; Preparation for the interview, taking interviews and interpretation of the responses requires much time thus making the interview method long. Biases of interviewer; in such method, always there can be a possibility that the interview process can have biases from the interviewer. Not suitable for personal matters; There is no revealing of one’s Personal issues in interview method. It makes the discussion, not appropriate way since such matters could have been of help. List of References Dubey, V., Pandey, K. and Pandey, R. (2009). Development communication. Lucknow, U.P. India: International Book Distributing Co., Pub. Division. Eribo, F. and Tanjong, E. (2002). Journalism and mass communication in Africa. Lanham: Lexington Books. Matt, G. and Abdul, L. (2008). Interviews. Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther Kolnnig. Matt, G. and Matt, G. (2007). Interviews. Kolln: Walther Kolnnig. Moll, H. (1999). Survey. Apeldoorn: Van Walraven. Trager, R., Russomanno, J., Ross, S. and Trager, R. (2010). The law of journalism and mass communication. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press. Read More