Purposes of research

1. Purposes of Research
By Mason Longhurst

2. Audience Research
The definition of Audience Research: Audience Research is research that is
conducted into the audience of a particular media product, such as a radio or
television programme or particular network. As part of this research,
information is gathered and analysed to the audience. Audience Research is
all about investigating, what a type of audience particularly thinks about
products.
Media products target audience but only the right audience. They
communicate with them and share with them as the media industry becomes
fragmented. It is important to know who your target audience is, so you know
what products to make and how to make them, so that you are satisfying that
your audiences needs, wants, tastes and preferences. They will also make
sure that the audience members are aware of a particular service or a
particular media product.

3. Market Research
The definition of Market Research: Market Research involves gathering and
analysis of information, which is about the market and how it must compete
for a share of the audience and for revenue.
The marketplace that is made by media is highly competitive. Media
producers often undertake market research that is detailed, and sometimes
they contract third parties to do the research for them. They also research
into their target market. Media Producers are very interested in what the
media marketplace looks like and also what type of products they have a
interest in. Economic factors is very interesting to media producers, which are
within the market and what is available.

4. Production Research
The definition of Production Research: Production Research is analysis of
information for production and content from a media product.
If the research for the audience is good and goes well and if the marketplace
analysis is favourable, Media company’s might decide to get a new product
into the market and launch it. Production research is needed to: gather
material and provide any content to allow media company’s to develop new
products; they will also need to research how commercially viable it is to
make a product for media company’s; they will need to investigate the
personnel that is available followed by investigating the technology, they
would have to check out a recording that is suitable followed by production
locations and they will have to research and plan production, so then they can
make sure that everything goes to plan in the post-production stages.