Research

Audience research

Questionnaire

I had constructed a questionnaire as part of my audience research task. This suits the purpose of obtaining information, specifically targeting answers that can be illustrated in visual representations to show data trends and differences. This is achieved via using multiple choice answers. To gather my results, I had targeted a moderately sized sample of eighty people; within a systematic approach. That was people who were present within a select room within my school, within a one hour duration. This duration took place at the time of the lunch period, whereby people’s presence was highest.

Results

Age YouTube Social Media Television Other None

12-16 7 7 1 1 0

17-21 12 4 0 2 2

22-26 4 5 2 4 7

27> 5 6 4 3 7

“In terms of media platforms, what is your most viewing anticipated platform? Also what age category do you fit?”. From this question I intended to obtain results focusing upon the most used platform for viewing media texts, and understand the platform differences between age.

From the sample size of eighty randomly selected people, the results have clearly reflected that the most used platform for viewing media is YouTube. Moreover, the age band of ‘17-21’ years of age, uses the platform mostly. It is shown that older populations have a larger audience that do not anticipate in viewing media; in contrast, older people use television more as a source of media anticipation, in comparison to younger age bands. However, most younger audiences interact with the YouTube and social media platforms to view media. In relation to my production, I may consider YouTube as my primary viewing platform, as it is the most commonly utilised platform; suggesting that I shall obtain a larger audience, in comparison to other media platforms.

Results

Music video structure Population

Abstract 19

Performance 34

Narrative 27

“In terms of music video structures, which type of structure do you prefer?”. From this question I intended to obtain results focusing upon the most prefered structure of a music video production.

From the sample size of eighty randomly selected people, the results have clearly reflected that the most preferred music video structure, is that of a performance basis. Moreover, the data illustrates that narrative is second most favourable, meaning that abstract productions are least. In relation to my production, I may consider the video to be performance based as it is the most preferred structure of a music video production. This suggests that I shall obtain a larger audience, by suiting audience preference. However, the structure of my production will have to be considered accordingly to the music genre and soundtrack that I propose to use.

Results

Age Social media

Television Paper documents

Posters Radio

12-16 11 3 0 0 0

17-21 10 7 1 0 0

22-26 17 12 0 1 2

27> 5 9 0 0 2

“In terms of advertisement, how are you informed about new music video releases?”. From this question I intended to obtain results focusing upon the ways in which audiences are informed about media text releases, mostly. In consideration of age.

From the sample size of eighty randomly selected people, the results have clearly reflected that social media is the most informative source of new media text releases. Oppositely, paper based advertising(such as newspapers), posters, television advertisements and radio broadcasts were the least informative source. Moreover, the most populated advertisement methods; being television and social media, are both dominated by younger age groups. In relation to my production, I may consider the production to be marketed on social media platforms. Which, suggests that I will accumulate a larger audience to my productions release.

Results

Age Hip Hop RnB Dubstep Rock Other

12-16 11 5 4 0 1

17-21 13 9 2 2 3

22-26 8 3 0 0 0

27> 4 5 1 5 4

“In terms of music genre, which type of music genre do you preferably anticipate to listen to?”. From this question I intended to obtain results focusing upon the music genre that is most listened to, in consideration of age.

From the sample size of eighty randomly selected people, the results have clearly reflected that the Hip Hop and RnB music genres are the most preferred genres of music. In addition, a more diverse choice of music is apparent within the ‘27>’ age band, whereby people within the age band have shown various interests in different music genres. Notably, the Hip Hop music genre is the most dominated music genre by younger aged people. In relation to my production, I may consider the production to be based upon a music soundtrack within the Hip Hop genre. As the most preferred music genre, suggests that I will accumulate a larger audience interest.

Results

Age Mobile phone

Tablet Television Computer Other

12-16 15 0 3 0 0

17-21 10 2 5 1 0

22-26 9 2 6 3 0

27> 4 5 13 2 0

“In terms of device platform, which type of device do you utilise to watch and listen to music videos?”. From this question I intended to obtain results focusing upon the platforms of device; that are most used to view media, in consideration of age.

From the sample size of eighty randomly selected people, the results have clearly reflected that mobile phones and television are the most commonly used devices to view music videos. This is a correlation shown through all age bands. Furthermore, the ‘other’ selection had no votes, meaning that the four specified device platforms are the most popular. Moreover, there is correlation pattern between the mobile phone and television platforms in regards to age. Whereby, the older people become, we gather that more people use televisions and less people use mobile phones for viewing music videos; indicating a inter-generational divide. In relation to my production, I will consider the production to be accessible on mobile phone platforms. As the most used device platform for viewing music videos, suggests that I will accumulate a larger.

VOX POP

After establishing that our production was going to be a performance based Hip Hop production; which was certified from our questionnaire results. We wanted to investigate audience expectations of Hip Hop music videos. Whereby, we had approached six young aged people, as they were our target audience. This was also decided, based upon our questionnaire results. Moreover, our choice for a VOX POP was to obtain qualitative data; which is opinionated. As we understood, qualitative data would enable us to gain an understanding of audience preference and the criteria of our production.

Conclusion

In summary, via my data gathering and results constructed. It is inevitable, that YouTube is the most anticipated viewing platform. Furthermore, performance based music videos are most preferred; music of the Hip Hop genre are most preferred also. In addition, social networking is the most popular method of informing the public about new music video releases; whereby mobile phones are the most popular device platform, for viewing music video productions. Moreover, younger audiences have the most interaction with such devices and methods of advertisement. Meanwhile, in relation to media language, Hip Hop music videos are expected to be fast-paced; which is achieved through camerawork and post production stages such as transitional effects. Additionally, Hip Hop music videos are expected to include generic conventions; violence such as guns, relate to drug handling and consumption and further implement female characters as sexual objects.

However, in consideration of the quantitative data that was collected within the questionnaire. It is inevitably unreliable, whereby a sample size of eighty is not large enough to be considered as a representation of a whole population. Furthermore, the data that was collected was only gathered from within a limited location and via a systematic approach, whereby people's opinions may be of similarity; hence the lack of variation in results. Meanwhile, in consideration of the qualitative data that was obtained from the VOX POP, highlights the expectancies of Hip Hop music videos, being fast paced and making references to females, drugs and violence. Which are all generic conventions. Alike the questionnaire, a small sample size cannot be a representative of a whole population. However as the data is opinionated, the results are valid. Notably, I will consider the results in relation to my music video production.