A2 - Approaching Research Investigation

The first thing to do is take a good look at the mark scheme for your research project. As you will see, you are marked solely on AO4:


AO4 “Demonstrate the ability to undertake, apply and present appropriate research”

MS3: Media Investigation and Production 1: 

Research Investigation (45)

Level/marks	A04 Demonstrate the ability to undertake, apply and present appropriate research
Level 1: 0-17	Limited evidence of research. Minimal application of this research which has been presented in an unclear and unfocused way. Quality of written communication will be limited, frequently unclear. Frequent errors in the use of language. Little or no evidence of an ability to structure ideas.
Level 2: 18–26  [18-22] [23-26]	At the lower end of this level, there will be evidence of basic research. This will have been applied in a simple way. Basic ability to present research demonstrated. Quality of written communication will be basic but sufficiently clear to allow communication. Frequent errors in the use of language. Limited ability to structure ideas. At the upper end of this level, there will be evidence of research from a reasonable number of sources. There will be some attempt to apply this research and present it with some coherence. Quality of written communication will be mainly clear. Some errors in the use of language. Some ability to structure ideas.
Level 3: 27-35  [27-31] [32-35]	At the lower end of this level, candidates will undertake sound and relevant research from a range of appropriate sources. This research will be applied in a sound way and presented with supporting points. Quality of written communication will be sound and clear. Reasonable level of accuracy. Sound ability to structure ideas. At the upper end of this level, the research will be good, covering a good range of sources and will be applied in a detailed way. It will be presented appropriately with good references. Quality of written communication will be good. Good level of accuracy. Good ability to structure ideas.
Level 4: 36-45	Research will be excellent, covering a wide range of sources. These will be analysed and applied in a sophisticated way and presented a logical and coherent manner, supported by a range of sophisticated points. Quality of written communication will be sophisticated. A high degree of accuracy. Sophisticated ability to structure ideas effectively.

Make sure you have the level descriptors clearly in mind as you plan your work.

Level 4: A*/A
Level 3: B/C
Level 2: D/E
Level 1: F

1. a)  Research Investigation
   Candidates are required to undertake an individual investigation into a specific area of study focused on one of the following concepts: genre, narrative or representation. Their research should draw on a range of both primary and secondary sources. It should enable candidates to reach conclusions that will inform their production.
   Examples of investigations include:
   
   •   the representation of teenagers in two British films
     
   •   the generic similarities between Dr Who and Stargate
     
   •   the narrative structures of The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing. 
     

Once you’ve gathered sufficient information and ideas from your research, you need to start planning the first draft of your essay.

We will be working on this in class when we return from the summer break so you should ensure you are ready to start writing by then. The summer is an excellent opportunity to finalise your notes and you should continue to update your blogs as you gather more information and ideas.

How to plan:

Your essay should contain a clear introduction in which you:


Clearly state the focus of your investigation

Explain the stereotypes/genre types/typical narratives relevant to your research and how your investigation will explore the positives/negatives or how texts conform to/challenge them

Give reasons for your choice of texts

Set up the main argument of your essay
You should then start writing the main body of your essay. You should have gathered 5-6 points to make about your texts, in support of your argument (as set up in your introduction). The best essays use the following structure to develop each point in turn:


Make a point to support and develop your argument (make sure to look at both sides of an argument by challenging representations or generic types)

Analyse an example text

Apply relevant theory (U&G, Propp’s character functions, hegemonic ideologies, preferred readings etc.)

Come to mini-conclusions after each point – what issues are addressed? What are the effects created?
Your essay should have at least five points with detailed examples, analysis and evidence. The best answers will develop a line of argument.

After this, you can move on to your conclusion. This should be a summary of your findings. You should:


Draw conclusions from your research and analysis

Explain what you have found out

Relate your findings to the ‘bigger picture’ for the media form you have explored

Evaluate your findings and the issue you have investigated
Ideally, you should be ‘summing up’ your argument as explored in the main body of your essay.

First steps:make a list of the points you want to develop in the main body of your essay. Link each to an analysis of your texts, using theory and terminology. What conclusion can you make? Remember, you should be developing an argument so choose the order of your points carefully.