Critical research advice.

Critical Research: Examiner Advice
The points below are taken from the overall report by examiners of media studies so they’re definitely worth paying close attention to! They are all specifically about the critical research unit.

Generally answered well however the following points were noticeable:
• Many candidates spent valuable time writing up to two sides explaining why they chose the topic and their focus area. Limited marks can be gained from this.
• While it was pleasing to see more reflection and evaluation in most candidates’ work, this was often very general and not specific to actual methods or sources that the candidate had used. Many candidates had not been taught the difference between reflection and evaluation.
• Many candidates did not reference their sources but talked generally about newspapers, websites & books.
• Some candidates explained and evaluated a range of methods, but cited only one source for each. A range of sources, where possible, should be cited.
• Explanation of logistic was often unclear. Phrases such as ‘I stumbled across..’ or ‘I was lucky to bump into..’ suggest a haphazard, rather than a logical and well planned, approach.
• There was an increased use of observation as a primary method and this was rarely appropriate, and often simply anecdotal, for example - ‘I observed that a lot of the people I know who do drugs listen to hip hop’.
• When addressing their sources, very few candidates really understand the difference between bias and balance.

Click on the title for Misbourne Critical research links.