research methods

Research is for:
Facts about the subject
Gather a more understanding of the subject
Gather opinions
Checking facts

Types of research:
Production research - Used to inform the production
(Qualitative) Market research - why the products are produced and how they appeal, in more detail
(Quantitive) Audience research - Analysing the products and why they appeal to audiences

Qualitative research is better for when you are making a product like a music video for example, if not a lot of people like violence or metal music, then to be successful you would want to appeal to the audience and if the audience doesn't like what is in the video they won't want to watch it, it doesn't offer facts in data numerical form, which isn't good if you needed statistics to back up the product as it is more descriptive.

Quantitive research consists of numerical data and statistics that is absolute, it is facts not opinions, this is laid out in graphs or charts to show the information, this makes it easy to analyse and draw conclusions form, it is also free from bias.

Primary research - this is the information found "for the first time" this is done by using techniques such as interviewing, observation, focus groups and questionnaires / surveys.

Secondary research - this is research and facts that have already been found such as books, films, journals, magazines, the internet or note taking from DVD's or CD's.