FSA OFCOM Exam Question 1 Understanding research methods and interpreting research data

Question 1: What are the key issues raised in the article and how has qualitative and quantitative research been applied to explore them?

Question 1: Understanding research methods and interpreting research data
Band 1: 1-4 marks (Fail)	Band 2: 5-8 marks (Pass)	Band 3: 9-12 (Merit)	Band 4: 13-15 (Distinction)
Basic understanding of topic		Understands significance of the topic	Comprehensive understanding of the significance of the topic
Limited connections to media theories and debates	Some relevant connection made to theories and debates	Mostly relevant connections to theories and debates	Detailed and precise connections made to theories and debates
Basic Description of research methods	Understanding of data usage in the research methods used in the article	Analysis of research methods in the article	Evaluation of research methods in the article
Superficial use and consideration of qualitative OR quantitative data	Unsupported evaluative judgements on suitability of research methods in article	Supported with evaluative judgements on suitability	Fully supported with evaluative judgements on suitability
	Qualitative AND quantitative data interpreted showing consideration and applied to response	Qualitative AND quantitative data clearly interpreted showing consideration of the validity and applied to response	Qualitative AND quantitative data fully interpreted showing consideration of the validity, reliability, bias and clearly applied to response

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FSA Exam Question 4 (Production)

What is the impact of the topic on media production in your specific media sector? Refer to your primary and secondary research (500 words, 15 marks)

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FSA Exam Question 3 (Audience Consumption)

With reference to the article and your own research, how has the topic impacted on consumption in your specific media sector? (500 words, 10 marks)

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FSA Exam Question 2 (Primary & Secondary Findings)

How far does the primary and secondary research you have conducted support the conclusions drawn in the article? (500 words, 15 marks)

Question 2: Understanding the relationship between own research and article
Band 1: 1-4 marks (Fail)	Band 2: 5-8 marks (Pass)	Band 3: 9-12 (Merit)	Band 4: 13-15 (Distinction)
Basic description of primary or secondary findings	Primary & Secondary research findings described	Explains the research findings & their relationship to the context of the article	Evaluates the research findings & their relationship to the context of the article
Some links made between own research and article (no relationship)	Some links made as to the relationship between research and article	Clear links made  as to the relationship between research and article	Thorough links made  as to the relationship between research and article
Superficial comments about how research supports  conclusions in the article	Relevant comments how research supports article’s conclusions	Explains the article’s conclusions with detailed comment on the extent this is supported by the research	Evaluates the article’s conclusions with justification of the extent this is supported by the research

Section 1: Introduction 
Answer the question - HOW far and WHAT conclusions does your Primary and Secondary support?

Section 2:
a) Explain WHAT are your research findings & HOW do they relate or link to the 2014 report?

b) HOW do are they relevant to:
Consumption?
Production?
Debates about Technology, Audience and Genre?

c) Evaluate HOW relevant or accurate your findings are in building on the conclusions of the article (sample, research focus, bias, theory?)

WHAT are the strengths of your primary 
WHAT are the strengths of your secondary
WHAT are the limitations of, or bias in your primary
WHAT are the limitations of, or bias in your secondary

Section 3:
WHAT do your findings prove or back up or contradict about the article?
HOW does your Primary and Secondary show links between:
Trends of consumption?
Debates around technology and attitudes?
Impact on Production?

Section 4: 
Explain HOW your primary and secondary research supports article’s conclusions 

Using examples from your primary and secondary research JUDGE the extent each of the conclusions from the article is either supported or contradicted

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