RESEARCH METHODS.

When doing research, there are several methods to do so which makes the experience a whole lot easier! Below are the four main ways of carrying out research that can help me when it comes to designing my magazine and the main advantages and disadvantages about them...

• Primary - This type of research is normally done independently, and is usually done through surveys, questionnaires, interviews, and direct observations. Some of the advantages of this is that the information can be found out quickly, it is highly controlled meaning the information is relevant and the research can decide on how the information is gained. Some of the disadvantages to this is that you have to prepare everything yourself (i.e. questionnaires, interview questions), once the information has been gained it could be out of date/not neccessary anymore, and people may not be willing to fill out questionnaires or attend interviews.
• Secondary - This type of research has already been done by another person. This could mean that it could be found in books, the library, newspapers, or the internet. Some of the advantages of this is that most of the information has already been found out for you, it in inexpensive compared to primary research and it isn't time consuming. Some of the disadvantages to this is that you may not find all the information you are looking for, some of it may be unreliable and the information found may not be up-to-date.
• Qualitative - This type of research focuses on the 'why' and not the 'how' of the topic you're researching; this includes finding reasons on peoples attitudes, behaviours, culture, lifestyle etc. Emails and in-depth interview are ways in which this data can be gained. An advantage of this is that individuals can be studied in more depth, however a disadvantage of this is that open ended questions from the interview can take a while to analyse meaning it is time consuming.
• Quantitative - This type of research focuses on the numerical side of what you are researching, including things like numbers and statistics. This is based on peoples opinons so that the researcher has hard statisitcs and help to guide indeas or put something forward. Surveys and customer questionnaires are the main ways of gaining the data. An advantage of this is that it is reliable and a good way of finalising results, however a disadvantage is that they require a lot of effort and are time consuming.

Research I am most likely to carry out for my task:
I think the most appropiate way to collect data for my music magazine is either doing primary or secodnary research. Primary research would be ideal as I will have personal opinons and facts on what people of a similar age would expect, however carrying out secondary research will save me a lot of time when it comes to researching the graphology of other magazine styles to help influence ideas for mine.