For this assignment, you will observe the use of mass communication in an everyday setting (field observation) and write a five page report using the structure suggested in Chapter 5 of the textbook: "Mass Media Research" 10th edition.
report: introduction, research method, research setting, sampling, data collection, findings (the most important thing in the research paper), conclusion. page 130 to 135 and page 153 to 154 in the textbook explain general format for structuring the qualitative report.
For example, one could study a Super Bowl Party (no names please) at a local restaurant. If television broadcasts aren’t to your liking, you could also explore this area of qualitative mass communication research in an arena such as a public library, a hospital waiting room, a concert, a nightclub or movie theatre. It is important that the setting be public with no expectations of privacy on behalf of the people there. The settings and questions you ask are open, but the study must use a passive, qualitative research methodology. You must not be intrusive�you must blend in.
For example, if you decide to do the Super Bowl party, you could consider how the television is set up, who controls the remote, what people do while watching, how commercials are handled by the audience and what people do during half-time.
The main component of grading will be the depth of detail from which you formulate your findings. Before you begin observing, you need to formulate a list of questions. Be sure to note in your report how your questions change or evolve as you do the study. While I do not expect significant amounts of literature review for this assignment, feel free to mention what kinds of outside information would enhance your study.