More forms of research...

Research should be OBJECTIVE rather than SUBJECTIVE

Information based, not opinion based.


Experiments (testing a theory by researching)
+ easy to control conditions and closely track progress and changes
- difficult and expensive to do on a large enough scale to get reliable information
-people are not usually in their natural environment and know they are being tracked which may affect result
> Could be used for tests on products to see if they work like cosmetics.

Participant observation (researcher put in research activity)
+ Gives a close and direct opinion or very direct information. First hand primary research can seem more trustworthy.
- could also make observation less useful and in little depth if they are distracted by participating
- subject to bias
> Can be used for things like game testing where a researcher plays it with others and tracks other people's opinions

Historical research 
+ good historical research will be very useful as a background in the understanding of a product or media product. It could also be inspiring for those wishing to improve the product and highlight problems.
- observing behaviour and social changes can put product developments into context
- There is not always enough information available
>  Advertisers may use the history of a product to take on a nostolgic point of view in marketing.

Rhetorical analysis (analysing the media language and how it persuades media)
> for example persuasive scripting in an advert could be analysed and show a taget audience in a certain light
+shows what the media thinks of the audience and how consumers are directed
- audience could behave and react in numerous ways so it may not be particularly useful research in that it couldn't be reapplied particularly and is unspecific and uncertain. Generalisation.

Comparative analysis (Comparing different media products.)
+ can highlight what might be missing from a product
- for looking at things like genre and audiences
e.g. by looking at a product then working out the taget audience

Competitor analysis (analysing and rating competitors products)  
+ gives a fuller view of the market, what you're up against, what you need to be better than and different from.
- rating and assesing in this kind of analysis can easily subjective and bias
eg. comparing two music websites before you go and make your own