2.1.1 Research Methodology, 2.1.2 Supporting Materials
Hey guys, I have slightly changed my topic surrounding corruption. Here is my new hmw question for context.
How might we use an anti-corruption branding campaign to promote independent news sources to viewers of the age 40+ living in the US by highlighting the systematic differences between corporate news media and independent news media?
2.1.1 Research Methodology
I plan on using two forms of primary research in order to form a cohesive understanding of the different of audiences who take in political news content. My research question audience is focusing on ages 40+ viewers who receive news content in the US, so any information taken in on participants who are younger then 40+ will be used as examples on how to push 40+ audience to newer forms of political news sources.
The first form of primary research will be through a survey. It will be pushed out through my social media accounts and through family members, being pushed out on social media will likely attract younger people while being pushed out through family and family friends will likely attract older people. The goal of this survey is to get basic information on how people receive their political news. What effects them viewing that particular news source, and how that news affects their political outlook will be prevalent questions with in the survey. The goal is to get at least 30 people overall to take part in the survey with a pretty even age distribution. The information taken in by people younger than 40 will be used mostly as a comparison to the people who are older than 40. The goal of this project is to push older generations towards independent new news media so information of how younger people take in their political information will be helpful. The information taken in from people who are older than 40 will directly affect the anti-corruption branding campaign and the final deliverables for this project. The next form of primary research will be through interviews. I will be interviewing 5–10 people with the focus being on people older than 40. Again, I will interview a couple of younger people to gain qualitative knowledge on how younger people take in their political information and alternative forms of news sources outside of corporate journalism. The questions I ask younger participants will focus on the alternate forms of news sources and what they think the benefits of viewing alternate forms of news sources are. For the people older than 40, I will focus on learning what they like/appreciate about traditional forms of news sources, what they know about new media, how much they trust cable news companies, are they willing to view alternate forms of news media, and what they think the benefits of viewing alternate forms of news sources are.
The plan for this primary research is to get an understanding into how different individuals like to take in political content. It is important that I find this information because the ways individuals ages 40+ like taking in their political content will be the driving force behind the anti-corruption branding campaign. Is anti-corruption the correct way to push this amongst older audiences? Are there alternate campaigns that might do a better job at getting more people away from corporate journalism? These are important questions that I hope to have answers to by the end of the primary research.
Corporate Journalism Research Survey
Thank you for choosing to participate in this study. Below is some important information about this project.
This study is being done by a variety of age groups who’s responses will be used to shed light on how different age groups react to corporate and independent journalism. The responses will be used as guides into methods of design that will help pull more people over to independent journalism and away from corporate journalism. You are being asked to participate because it is important to gather information on what individuals think about the current state of journalism. The questions asked in this survey will be focused on finding your perspective on the benefits and disadvantages of independent and corporate journalism. Participation in this study is voluntary. Your participation will have no effect at all on your daily activities. If you ever become uncomfortable during your survey, you may discontinue your participation or decline to answer specific questions without penalty. This survey will last less than 5 minutes to take and your answers will help greatly with the research going on in this project. Your answers are completely confidential and will never be used in anyway that might identify you. Your answers will be combined with everyone else’s answers in the study to make a report. All answers on this survey will be stored on a privately owned laptop who’s contents are encrypted and access protected by a password known only by the user.
Participant Consent
If you choose to participate, here are some important things to know about your involvement in the study:
- You must be at least 18 years of age to participate.
- The researcher will request basic demographic information about you, but your confidentiality is protected. The researcher will not use your name or any identifying information about you in their reports about the study.
- You may discontinue participation at any time or decline to answer specific questions without penalty or loss of benefits of any kind.
You have rights as a participant in this study. If you have questions about the study, please contact the lead researcher, Britt Sease, at (479) 426–1174 or basease@uark.edu.
I ______________________________________________________ agree to participate in this study for purposes outlined above. I give my permission to be surveyed.
Signature _________________________________ Date _____________________________
Survey Questions and Answers
Question 1
What is your age?
Answer — type number
_______
Question 2
From your perspective, would you say you keep up with political news?
Answers — select one
Yes, Somewhat, No
Question 3
Where do you get the majority of your political information from?
Answers — can select multiple
Cable News Companies, Online Articles, Newspapers Companies, Podcasts
Question 4
What phrase best represents why you keep up with political news?
Answers — select one
It is my duty as citizen, I think it is interesting, I want to stay informed, My friends/family do it, I pressured into it
Question 5
I trust the news I receive from the source(s) I answered on Question 3.
Answers — select one
Completely disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, completely agree
Question 6
I am drawn to the source(s) I answered on Question 3 because of the convince of viewing that source.
Answers — rate importance to you out of 5, 1 being not important at all, 5 being very important
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Question 7
I am drawn to the source(s) I answered on Question 3 because of the of personalities that give the political news.
Answers — rate importance to you out of 5, 1 being not important at all, 5 being very important
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Question 8
I am drawn to the source(s) I answered on Question 3 because I agree with the political angle they give the news in.
Answers — rate importance to you out of 5, 1 being not important at all, 5 being very important
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Question 9
I am drawn to the source(s) I answered on Question 3 because the sources tell me what I want to here.
Answers — rate importance to you out of 5, 1 being not important at all, 5 being very important
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Question 10
The time of day is an important aspect of when I get to view political news.
Answer — select one
Completely disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, completely agree
Question 11
The news I receive from the source(s) I answered on Question 3, impacts my political outlook.
Answer — select one
Completely disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, completely agree
Question 12
I am open to viewing different news sources outside of the source(s) I answered on Question 3.
Answer — select one
Completely disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, completely agree
Question 13
I am open to viewing political news through different mediums outside of the source(s) I answered on Question 3.
Answer — select one
Completely disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, completely agree
Question 14
Political corruption is a big factor in the US.
Answer — select one
Completely disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, completely agree
Question 15
Corporate corruption is a big factor in the US.
Answer — select one
Completely disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, completely agree
Question 16
Based on my answers on Questions 13, and 14, I believe the news source(s) I answered on Question 3 align with my views on political and corporate corruption.
Answer — select one
Completely disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, completely agree
Question 17
Partisan bias in political news media is a problem.
Answer — select one
Completely disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, completely agree
Question 18
Explain your answer on Question 17.
Answer — type out a sentence to a couple sentences
_____________
Promotional Content for Survey
Instagram and Facebook plugs
Hey, if you guys could help me out, I’ve got this huge research design project for my final semester in Graphic Design and your answers will greatly help with with me figuring out design directions to move in. Please if you have the time take this survey it is linked in my bio, it is only 18 questions long!
Its subject is focusing on political and corporate corruption rooted with in specific political journalism outlets.
Will be no more than 5 minutes!
Thanks so much!
-link to survey-
Sending it out to friends and family
Hey if you have the time, could you possibly take part in this survey I created for my final big project in graphic design. It would mean a lot!
Corporate Journalism Research Interview
Thank you for choosing to participate in this study. Below is some important information about this project.
This study is being done by a variety of age groups who’s responses will be used to shed light on how different age groups react to corporate and independent journalism. The responses will be used as guides into methods of design that will help pull more people over to independent journalism and away from corporate journalism. You are being asked to participate because it is important to gather information on what individuals think about the current state of journalism. The questions asked in this interview will be focused on finding your perspective on the benefits and disadvantages of independent and corporate journalism. Participation in this study is voluntary. Your participation will have no effect at all on your daily activities. If you ever become uncomfortable during your interview, you may discontinue your participation or decline to answer specific questions without penalty. This interview will last less than 30 minutes to take and your answers will help greatly with the research going on in this project. Your answers are completely confidential and will never be used in anyway that might identify you. Your answers will be combined with everyone else’s answers in the study to make a report. All answers in this interview will be stored on a privately owned laptop who’s contents are encrypted and access protected by a password known only by the user.
Participant Consent
If you choose to participate, here are some important things to know about your involvement in the study:
- You must be at least 18 years of age to participate.
- The researcher will request basic demographic information about you, but your confidentiality is protected. The researcher will not use your name or any identifying information about you in their reports about the study.
- You may discontinue participation at any time or decline to answer specific questions without penalty or loss of benefits of any kind.
You have rights as a participant in this study. If you have questions about the interview, please contact the lead researcher, Britt Sease, at (479) 426–1174 or basease@uark.edu.
I ______________________________________________________ agree to participate in this study for purposes outlined above. I give my permission to be interviewed and for that interview to be audio-recorded.
Signature _________________________________ Date _____________________________
Interview Questions
Question 1
In your words, what are the roles journalists are suppose to play in politics?
- What news sources that you watch you feel do a good job at what you described?
- Are there any journalists that do not live up to the standards you set?
Question 2
Has there ever been a time where you were convinced of something by a journalist and then find out later that was false?
- Do you blame anyone for pushing that information out without knowing it was fact?
- Has it made you more skeptical of journalism?
Question 3
Do you follow or keep up with any independent sources for political news?
- Can you describe differences between or does it feel pretty similar?
Question 4
What is your goal for keeping up with political news in America?
Question 5
What news sources do you watch or read on a consistent basis? (Networks/individual anchors)
- Why do you chose to watch or read those sources?
- Due to the amount of time spent watching or reading from those sources do you think you would be hesitant to stop using them for political knowledge if credible information calling them out on corruption/misinformation/scandal was presented
Question 6
How important is fighting political and corporate corruption in the US?
- Are there news sources that ignore/accept/encourage political corruption and what are they?
- What political news sources effectively call out corruption?
Question 7
What is your opinion on some cable news companies presenting political news as a constant 24-hour stream?
- What are your thoughts on the race these news companies part take in to rush out stories just to be the first to snatch up viewers?
- Do you remember a time where factual and credible information was more important than viewership for these cable news companies?
Question 8
It seems like the major cable news companies and newspaper companies all have pretty strong partisan stances on how they filter through issues and stories, is this a healthy thing for American journalism?
- What are somethings you might change about this system if you don’t think it is healthy?
- What are the benefits of partisan news sources?
- What are some disadvantages of partisan news sources?
Question 9
Which news sources you follow have strong partisan filters?
Question 10
What do you think the goal of these major cable news companies is?
- How important is it for them to give factual journalism?
- Does the incentive of making money outweigh important of factual journalism?
Question 11
Is it important for cable news companies to tell all sides of a story even if all sides do not match that particular companies partisan side?
- What are some situations where it is important?
- What are some situations where it is less important?
Question 12
Do you think in general it is more of a priority for independent news sources to make money compared to corporate news sources?
- What are benefits of independent news sources compared to corporate news sources?
- What are disadvantages of independent news sources compared to corporate news sources?