Methods and Sources of Research: Primary Research (Data Gathering Agencies)

Data Gathering Agencies

What are data gathering agencies?
- Data gathering agencies are essentially there to gather data and then store it in data banks as such that are are available for then the public to use them. For example TV ratings and viewership.

Some examples of data gathering agencies;







- BARB (Broadcasters Audience Research Board)










- RAJAR (Radio Joint Audience Research)

What was the most successful TV show this week?
- Most popular for 3rd of January was Sherlock Holmes with 11,643 views.

What could be the reason for this?
- Due to 3rd of January being a weekend, this could potentially be the cause in the rise of views in films and shows. Also the time at which the show was scheduled could effect the amount of views the show had got. For example; if the show was at 5 pm a larger based amount of viewers could watch compared to it being at 6 am where not many people would be awake. This could be the reason for the huge increase in television views, or perhaps a media spectacle were to happen where a bunch of people were to communicate and all plan to watch Sherlock Holmes together. An example of recent media spectacles was the passing of David Bowie, where everyone had found out quickly through the use of newspapers and media ( TV,internet).

How do short films have to be more creative when using data?

Short films are rarely commissioned by national networks and are scheduled infrequently. Therefore, it is tricky to capture the data of audience consumption. Instead of using institutions such as BARB they may use YouTube hits and shares to understands its success in a more creative way. They may also use the following; Facebook likes, bloggers, forum and film institutions, to show the successes. 

Why might Short Film Directors be interested in RAJAR data? 

- With RAJAR data its based around radio statistics. With short film producers having this data they have the knowledge of what some main radio stations play, and how many people could be tuning into the radio station, this then allows them to have a potential idea into what they may leave as a music track for their short films. This then could potentially attract some audiences into their short film due to the sound track. Also short film producers may take interest into the adverts at which radio stations are advertising, this potentially gives them ideas into what they could put in their short films. Also gives producers information on any interviews on the radio, and how many people listen. This could then help with information leading to the production of the producers short films.

References:

09SC1,. "Data Gathering Agencies". Slideshare.net. Web. 20 Dec. 2015.
http://www.slideshare.net/09SC1/data-gathering-agencies

"BARB | Broadcasters Audience Research Board". Barb.co.uk. Web. 3 Jan. 2016.
www.barb.co.uk
"RAJAR". Rajar.co.uk. Web. 3 Jan. 2016.
http://www.rajar.co.uk/

Methods and Sources of Research: Primary Research (Self Generated Research)

Self Generated Research

What is Self Generated Research?

- This is research which is something that is made without the help of an external agent. An example would be that it can be produced spontaneously. 

Advantages:

- One advantage to self generated research is that you are carrying out the investigation for information yourself. This is good because you know the information would be reliable and you can stand by it. For example as a short film producer, getting first hand information which is reliable could be very handy in the short film making business. Depending on what the information is which is being gathered.

- Another advantage to using self generated research would be that you can rely on the fact that you have gathered the information so you know that it is new and up-to-date information. This could be important to short film producers as it could help in the making of a short film in the mix. For example this could be a picture that the short film producer could have took and thought "this is a really good photo, I think I might use this on my next short film" this information could be useful to short films.

- A final advantage to what I can think of for self generated research would be that it could happen at any given time, as for the example used in the last paragraph within a sentence "this is a really good photo, I think I might use this on my next short film" this shows how easy it is to receive self generated research and how you can put it to use in short films. This benefits short film producers in many ways, one way would be the fact that it can save them money, with this money they can put towards upgrading the short film in other ways etc.

Self Generated Research: Short Films!

Within the production of a short film, self generated information is generally appropriate as you are going out and finding your own information, doing tasks first hand, uncovering proof on your own (independently) this makes it one of a kind and legitimate meaning it's your own and it's a solid piece of information.

Gathering information regarding to short films would give you high and favourable position when completing an interview, document the information you have found, you are aware of where it is originated from and basically you're aware of how it was gathered. Lastly, a really important factor to be aware of would be why it is applicable for the creation of your short film as well as what it will initially be utilised for. 

Here lies an example of 'Self Generated Research':

titanic student self generated research from Rose Ortiz on Vimeo.

It is essential that during the overall process of distributing a short film, you must conduct research on your own to be able to empower the best opportunity in which you can to having the commissioners support your short film idea and help with the distribution of it. 

Without having the necessary facts and figures required you may miss the mark concerning having your film distributed. Without information such as dates, areas, facts and just any information relevant to the success of your short film the commissioner may feel that you are just not organised as you do not have any background information in which you found yourself. This could lead to your film not being distributed to the market. 

References:

"The Definition Of Self-Generated". Dictionary.com. Web. 1 Jan. 2016.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/self-generated

"Titanic Student Self Generated Research". Vimeo. Web. 1 Jan. 2016.
https://vimeo.com/80891473