Source one:
The source
title and DDC number
Management of electronic and digital media
302.23068 ALBA
Author
Alan B. Albarran
Summary of
source content
Management of electronic and
digital media
(Albarran 2013) is a contemporary source that acknowledges the influence
electronic and digital media has on the everyday use of new technology in the
media industry. The books content revolves around educating the reader about
new media technology and illustrates its use in real-life situations by
providing case studies as a point of reference. Additionally, the book aims to
teach readers how to use new media technologies to their advantage of when
compiling data. Furthermore, the book addresses ethical concerns when utilising
electronic and digital media and highlights the importance that ethics plays
when conducting qualitative research. Each chapter in the book focuses on a
different set of skills that are valuable for a researcher to learn about and
understand. For instance chapter one focuses on the managing of electronic and
digital media, chapters 12 and 13 highlight the influence that technology and
social media have on media management.
Commentary on the source content
At first the book reflected that it
may not necessarily be informative about the development of a research project,
however upon further investigation some chapters such as the ones mentioned
above provided useful information about present-day methods to approach
qualitative research. The book provides a helpful introduction to the world of
electronic and digital media, both vital tools that are being increasingly used
by researchers. Considering ethics in research, the approach that Albarran
(2013:45) uses in chapter three where he categories the norms used in moral
decision making as, the golden mean, the Jeudo-Christian ethic, the categorical
imperative, utilitarianism, egalitarianism, relativism and social
responsibility theory are well defined and articulated in order for a research
to match their personalities to that of the description of each norm.
Furthermore, the case studies provided at the end of each chapter reinforce the
information shared in each chapter by reflecting on real-life situations.
Why I believe this is a credible source
This is an enjoyable book to read as
Albarran (2013) shares valuable information that can be used both in research
as well as in the workplace. At first glance, Management of electronic and digital media (Albarran 2013) may
appear as a handbook only applicable to handling employees or conducting
process in the work place to effect the flow of managing electronic and digital
media. However, after a complete understanding of the book I have been able to
apply the use of electronic and digital media to my own research project about
South African film.
Source two:
The source
title and DDC number
Doing social research: A global context
300.721DOIN
Editors:
Claire Wagner, Barbara B. Kawulich and Mark Garner
Summary of
source content
Doing
Social Research: A global context by Claire Wagner,
Barbara Kawulich and Mark Garner (2012) is a handbook for novice researchers,
undertaking a research project. The book contains process to consider when
conducting qualitative as well as quantitative research. It is a step by step
guide which assists a researcher from how to formulate a research question,
right up to the producing of their research report. Each chapter in the book
can be understood on its own and allows for reflection at the end in the “test
your understanding” section. In addition to the guidelines stipulated in the
book, the editors have also included Internet links that can be used by
researchers to further their understanding about conducting research.
Commentary on the source content
The books content is easy to digest as the information
provided is not intimidating to a reader. The easy-to-use approach that the
editors utilise is enforced by their demarcation of chapters by using precise
and obvious headings. They also compiled the book in a manner that manoeuvres
from the start of a research project to the end of a research project. Right at
the outset the book advises researchers to be sensible and honest about their
capability “Be honest and realistic about the strengths and weaknesses of your
topic” (Wagner et al 2012:18). This establishes a mindset within researchers to
constantly evaluate their research topic as well as their ability to deliver on
content about their research topic. Lastly, the book provides direct,
deliberate and realistic advice to researchers using graphs and tabulating information
to allow for easy reference and understanding.
Why I believe this is a credible source
I find this source credible because
the editors have sourced information from various experts in the field of
research and have dedicated a chapter to each theorist based on their
expertise. Furthermore, the addition of case studies provide a tested scenario
which researchers can use to learn from. The book is also interactive, sections
such as test your understanding helps researchers reflect on their own
understanding of each chapter and by citing websites that can be used to
compliment the reading of the book the editors assist in expanding of the
readers knowledge.
Source three:
The source
title and URL
Academia
https://www.academia.edu/
Chief Executive Officer
Richard Price
Summary of
source content
Academia (2016) is a website that plays
host to research papers that researchers have produced and published for public
use on the website. Several papers on the website have been written by South
Africans. Content on the website varies and a search on the website can yield a
research paper about any requested topic. Therefore, whether a researcher is
looking for inspiration or is looking for a fellow scholars approach to research,
Academia is the database that can be
used to search topics of one’s interest and needs.
Commentary on the source content
According to Academia
(2016) there are 12.522.983 research papers that are uploaded onto the website,
to date. The website is a platform that acknowledges work conducted by
researchers. Additionally it has the power to build interest around a research
topic and a researcher. The website brings together researchers with similar
interests and creates a network between those who have been working on research
topics that are relative to each other.
Why I believe this is a credible source
This is a source that local as well
as international researchers have published their work on. For instance the work of Professor Keyan
Tomaselli can be found here. Academia also
protects the work that is uploaded through strict copyright stipulations and
have a dedicated team working on the website to ensure that utmost
professionalism and access to information is maintained
Source four:
The source
title and URL
Research models and methodologies
https://www.uow.edu.au/content/groups/public/@web/@commerce/documents/doc/uow012042.pdf
Author
RJ,
Clarke
Summary of
source content
Research models and methodologies (Clarke 2005) defines research and
in particular presents research design formats for qualitative research. Clarke
(2005:56) divides the teaching of the qualitative format into two sections,
namely the introduction and procedure. In addition he writes about the use of
triangulation in research (Clarke 2005: 59). The content provides useful definitions
and reminds researchers of questions that they often ask before embarking on a
research project and throughout the project as well.
Commentary on the source content
This is a short and direct source of information that
pinpoints definitive information. It also references professionals in the field
of research and uses their ideologies in the teaching of qualitative research
design such as Cresswell (Clarke 2005: 56) and Marshall and Rossman (Clarke
2005: 57). The information here reinforces what Doing Social Research: A global context by Claire Wagner, Barbara
Kawulich and Mark Garner (2012) writes about, but in less detail.
Why I believe this is a credible source
This source shares information that
is common among other sources that I have read. I am also of the opinion that
it was well researched as it references the work of influential researchers
whom are well-known in the field of qualitative research. Clarke is an expert
in his own field who presented at this seminar due to his expertise on
research.
Source five:
The source
title and DDC number
Finding your way in academic writing (2nd edition)
808.042 HENN
Author
Elizabeth
Henning, Sarah Gravett and Wilhelm van Rensburg
Summary of
source content
This book focuses on the process of effective writing in
the presentation phase of one’s research project. It provides valuable tools
that one can use in a research project once they have gathered and analysed
their research data. It is helpful in guiding novice researchers who are not
fully confident in their ability to now put into words what they have
identified as valuable research in support of their research topic.
Commentary on the source content
This book is helps researches deliver on the final stage of
the research process that is writing the research report. It acknowledges the
importance of effective writing in order to deliver a substantial report based
on the data collected. Furthermore the authors are concerned primarily on the
handling of qualitative research. The authors address concerns that writers
have during the stages of compiling their report and help ease their mind by
advising them on how to overcome any problems they may encounter.
Why I believe this is a credible source
This is part of a series of books
that are focused on qualitative research methods and report writing. This book
also teaches practical use by researchers which have been tried and tested.
Lastly, the authors themselves share their expertise, thus helping fellow
researchers to be better writers, bypassing mistakes that can be avoided.
LIST OF
SOURCES CONSULTED
Albarran, AB. 2013. Management of Electronic and Digital Media.
5th ed. International edition: Wadsworth
Clarke, RJ. 2005. Research
models and methodologies. Research methodologies, pp. 1-65.https://www.uow.edu.au/content/groups/public/@web/@commerce/documents/doc/uow012042.pdf
(Accessed
10 May 2016).
Gravett, S, Henning,
E & van Rensburg, W. 2005. Finding your way in academic writing. 2nd
ed. Pretoria: Van Schaik.
University of South Africa. Department of Communication
Science. 2016. Media Research: Tutorial Letter 101/0/2016 for COM4802. Kwa Zulu
Natal.
University of South Africa. Department of Communication
Science. 2016. Honours Studies: Tutorial Letter 301/0/2016 for CMNHONE.Kwa Zulu
Natal.
Wagner, C, Kawulich, B
& Garner, M. 2012. Doing Social Research: A global context.
South African Edition, McGraw - Hill Higher Education.
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