The Analyzing Police Accountability under the Topic Film the Police Cop-Watching - Case Study Example

Research Methodology Name: Institution 1 Research Methodology The aim of this study was to analyse police accountability under the topic Film the Police Cop-Watching and Its Embodied Narrative. Therefore, the research focussed on how police handles the public during protests, meetings and during other activities. One of the main parts of the study is to identify appropriate research approach and data collection techniques to ensure objective of the study is achieved. 2 Methods of Data Collection The researcher on Film the Police Cop-Watching and Its Embodied Narrative collected data using different qualitative research methodology approaches, including interviews, observation and through questionnaires, ethnography study, case studies and use of grounded theory. 2.1 Interviews The researcher loosely structured interviews using core questions that captured main variables of the research such as identity, techniques and motivations. These researcher employed both the personal and telephone interviews. Personal interviews were used since the research involved personal and intensive investigation therefore the researcher required first-hand information. The researcher used telephone interviews when it was not possible to conduct personal interview. Information from telephone interviews were recorded and analyzed the same way personal interview information was analyzed. Through personal interview, the researcher was able to easily, obtain personal information, control and identify specific research samples and collect more in depth information including supplementary information. Analysis of the research also shows that the researcher faced various challenges such as systematic errors and difficulty in approaching certain group of respondents. However, these problems were minimized since the researcher informed the respondents of the research activities and they accepted before interviews were conducted. The researcher also applied responsive interviewing, an approach that enabled the researcher to build an equitable relationship, acknowledge the belief of respondent and respect the perspective of the respondent. The researcher also minimized such problems through telephone interviews and observation. 2.2 Observation The researcher used observational techniques to collect data during research study. Observation was usually done during protests, cop-watching outing and meetings. The information obtained during observation is usually related to what is currently taking place and is not influenced by future or past behavior of the respondents. The researcher observed the respondents during organized meetings and protests without interviewing them. Observation could not provide the researcher with detailed information about the respondent and large samples cannot be observed at particular time. However, the researcher minimized this through close monitoring of the respondent and use of other techniques such as questionnaire and interviews. 2.3 Ethnography study The researcher studied an intact cultural group in a natural setting for a period of 2 years and collected primary data through observation and interview means. The research involved the study of everyday behaviors to identify beliefs, norms and social structures. Through ethnography study, the researcher was able to understand changes that occurred in the culture of the study group. 2.4 Grounded Theory Study The researcher also used grounded theory to generate a general theory of an action, interaction or process in the views of the respondents. A grounded approach supports the open-ended questions used by the researcher to conduct the study. The researcher also used grounded theory for the study since the methods helps in the examination of the police and civilians interactions and actions. This method also enabled the researcher to do comparison of the collected data since it was possible to collect data, analyze data and repeat the process. This approach enabled the researcher to deeply understand how the police handle civilians and how this extends to the understanding of narrative, media citizenship and counter surveillance. 2.5 Case Study The researcher also used different case studies to get more information on the study topic. Through case studies, the researcher was able to collect extensive data that was drawn from various sources such as interviews, direct or participant observation, audiovisual materials and archival documents. The researcher was also able to spend some time on the site with the people studied during the 2-year research period. He was able to learn various patterns and lessons that he was able to connect with the theories in practice. 3 Sampling Methods Sampling involves selection of a representative of a whole population for study. The researcher of the article on Film the Police Cop-Watching and Its Embodied Narratives applied random sampling, simple sampling, systematic sampling technique and judgment sampling technique. The population of the study comprised of the public that are affected by acts of police. Since the researcher could not study the whole population sample comprising of students, former professional journalists, protestors, veterans and gun right activists were studied. 4 Types of Data The researcher used information from both the primary and secondary sources. The primary data used were collected through questionnaire, observation and interviews, while the secondary data were obtained from previously published journals for examples journals of media and cultural studies, handbooks, manuals, books, publications of the government and private data services. The researcher made the observation during protests, outings, cop watching and meetings. The researcher also monitored the websites maintained by the respondents and tracked the information posted by the respondents. The researcher also used ethnography, grounded theory and case studies as some of the qualitative research methodologies to conduct the qualitative research. 5 Data Analysis Data analysis involves the study of organized materials to determine detailed facts about a particular topic of study. Researchers can use both the qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the collect data. The researcher of the article on Film the Police Cop-Watching and Its Embodied Narrative used qualitative approach to analyse information as per individual explanations and to sum up on a hypothetical premise as opposed to a statistical one. The motivation behind this approach was to get an in-depth comprehension of the significance of variables and the perspectives or mentality of people. Qualitative analysis enabled the researcher to propose new speculations and grow new hypotheses. Subjective measures used by the researcher to collect information analysed qualitatively methods were observations and interviews, centre gathering and non-reactive approaches. Nonreactive methodologies incorporated the examination of archives, for example, analysis of photographs and videos, various secondary sources such as journals. The researcher also did content analysis study to analyse the data collected from the books, recorded videos and newspapers to identify biases, themes and patterns of the study population. Content analysis made it possible for the researcher to identify specific characteristics of the police and civilians. 6 Quality of the Research A good research design must be objective, reliable, valid, flexible, and efficient and be able to generalize. Validity is the most imperative quality rule in qualitative examination. The researcher of the article on Film the Police Cop-Watching and Its Embodied Narrative enhanced the validity of the research by framing questionnaire that covered all the variables of the research topic. From the research methods, it is clear the variables portrays or measures exactly what the researcher intended to study. Validity of the study was enhanced since the researcher using qualitative analysis only did analysis using simple estimation and testing. The researcher in this study is mindful of the limits on validity in this paper, as the study only concentrated on a particular aspect. The researcher also ensured objectivity of the study since the findings had a clear relationship with the methods used to collect data. The research design permitted objectivity since observation and interviews provided the researcher with the almost similar reports that could be analysed and interpreted. The researcher tried to keep one-sided subjective perspective to ensure there is no deviation from the objective of the study. The researcher also did content analysis study to analyse the data collected from the books, recorded videos and newspapers to identify biases, themes and patterns of the study population. Content analysis made it possible for the researcher to identify specific characteristics of the police and civilians. Methods of data collection such as interviews, observation, ethnography study, case study and grounded theory study made it possible for the researcher to collect enough data on the study topic. This therefore made it possible for the researcher to collect reliable and valid information. It was also possible to do comparison of the collected data through the various sources used. The approaches enabled the researcher to deeply understand how the police handle civilians and how this extends to the understanding of narrative, media citizenship and counter surveillance thus providing a more reliable data. 7 References Mary A. Film the Police! Cop-Watching and Its Embodied Narratives, Department of Journalism, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA. Journal of Communication ISSN 0021-9916 Carrie Williams. Research Methods Journal of Business & Economic Research – March 2007 Read More