Month: February 2026

Useful website for following the harvard style and quate the documents

ATLAS.ti: https://atlasti.com/

Qualitative and Quantitative Research methods are two established research traditions that underpin all academic articles.

Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is an empirical approach that uses numerical data and statistical analysis to test theories and explain or predict phenomena.

Use of Numerical Data: It involves measuring research variables and collecting data strictly in the form of numbers.

Statistical Analysis: It relies heavily on mathematically-based methods—specifically statistics—to analyze the collected numerical data.

Testing and Prediction: The primary goal is to empirically test theories to determine if they can accurately explain or predict social phenomena or human problems.

Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is a complex, multifaceted approach that produces findings without relying on statistical analysis or numerical quantification.

Complex to Define: Because it is rooted in many different theoretical frameworks (paradigms), qualitative research has multiple dimensions, making it difficult to capture in a single, simple definition.

Non-Numerical & Non-Statistical: The most practical working definition is based on what it is not: it is any research where the conclusions and findings are generated entirely outside of quantification (meaning it does not use math, numbers, or statistical procedures).

Epistemology: (a) Which paradigm or worldview will inform the study design?

Theoretical perspectives: (b) Who or what will be studied?

Methodology: (c) Which research strategies will be used?

Methods: Which research methods or tools will be used to collect and analyse data?

Topics including the arts, entertainment, media or technology can be viewed from one or more of these perspectives.

World Views

Environmental/ecological issues

Gender representation

Ethnic representation

Cultural heritage/Exchange

Cultural appreciation and appropriation.

Diversity

Colonialism

Ethical issues

Education

Industry/Vocation

Equality/Human Rights

Community/Social Issues/Social justice

Politics/Government Hegemony https://www.youtube.com/shorts/B9h1wz4NaXo

Media Sectors

Experimental or Commercial

Emergent Practice

Screen based / Expanded cinema

Installation

Interactive

Augmented

Virtual reality

Broadcasting

Games

Cinematography

Production design

What is a literature review?

A literature review is an objective, critical summary of published research literature relevant to a topic
under consideration for research. Its purpose is to create familiarity with current thinking and research on
a particular topic, and may justify future research into a previously overlooked or understudied area.

Why write a literature review?

A literature review is important, as it provides an overview and an analytical analysis of what is known about a
particular topic. It establishes and identifies:

1. An understanding and knowledge of a topic.
2. The current research in this area.
3. Gaps in the literature that helps justify your research.
4. The context for your research and illustrates how it relates to the wider research landscape in this area.
5. The key authors writing in this field

How to approach the literature review

One way to approach a literature review is to start out broad and then become more specific. Think
of it as an inverted triangle, or a funnel.
Using the funnel comparison, find:

1. The background information to your topic. This will identify the broader issues and research
   related to your topic and help you orient it, in the wider subject context.
2. Narrow downyour focus and identify the research that is closer to your area of research.
3. Focus on specific research that is directly related to your topic

Funnel approach to literature reviews

Structuring a Literature Review

Introduction: Sets the stage by defining the core theories and main ideas of the research topic.

Main Body: Organizes sources logically, moving from broad background information down to specific studies. It also points out what is missing or flawed in the current research.

Conclusion: Briefly wraps up the findings, explains how past studies support your work, and suggests next steps for future research.

1. Topic & Questions Define exactly what you want the reader to learn. Break your topic down into a logical flow of main questions and detailed sub-questions.

2. Sourcing & Critical Analysis

• Source Types: Use both Primary (original artifacts, interviews, raw data) and Secondary (academic books/articles analyzing a subject). Use reliable platforms like Google Scholar.
• Be Critical: Never take sources at face value. A good thesis analyzes the context and compares the different biases or perspectives of the authors.

3. The 4 Stages of Research Explore, Plan, Execute, and Finalize.

4. Planning & Structuring

• Build an Argument: Structure your thesis to make a specific point; do not just list events in chronological order.
• Take Control: Dictate the structure yourself—don’t let your raw notes guide you. Group relevant notes by chapter, assign supporting literature to each section, and ruthlessly cut irrelevant material.

Thesis structure

A thesis will usually contain most or all the following sections:

• Title page

A clear title or research question

• Abstract

A short overview of the reasons for and the aims of the research.

• Acknowledgements (Optional)

You may wish to acknowledge any significant contributions to the research from others

• Contents page(s)

Examples will be provided.

• Introduction

Here you should provide context for the study, briefly outline the methods of the study and establish the overall and specific objectives. The reader should clearly understand what they will learn.

• Literature review

Review all the literary materials and sources you plan to use in your research, establishing how they will provide a foundation to support the enquiry and enable the study to reach viable findings and fulfil the research objectives.

• Methodology

This section should review approaches and methods applied to develop findings, including any not covered in Literature review. This might include literary comparison, case studies, surveys, interviews, experiments, exhibitions and events. It should explain how these methods will generate relevant findings or results.

• Themed topic chapters

This will form the main part of the discussion and the number of topics /chapters will vary. Main chapter headings should be clearly labelled e.g., Chapter 1. Contexts in Animated Documentary.

Chapter subtitles should be labelled as e.g., 1.1 Enactment and Re-enactment of Documentary, 1.2 Interview and Animated Documentary

• Results/or Findings (Optional)

This section will present findings and discuss the implications. Consider the practical value your findings will provide to practitioners, educators, and other academics in your field, any ways your work can challenge existing theories and assumptions in your field.

• Conclusions

Conclude the study by evaluating and reviewing the implications of the study identifying any policies that could be impacted by your findings, problems your work can potentially help to fix, or how your work might contribute to current or future research. Identify any limitations and recommendations for future research.

• Reference list

List all the sources cited in your thesis. Arrange your references alphabetically by author surname.

• Bibliography

List books that you have consulted but not cited. Arrange your references alphabetically by author surname. You may also require a filmography

• Image list

       For academic referencing, visuals are categorised as either:

       Illustrations (artwork, photos, screenshots, film stills, charts, graphs etc.) or,

       Tables (numbers or text in columns and rows)

• Appendices

Materials such as letters or relevant documents can be presented here.

From this week, I got the information about this unit and next task and process. In particular, Thesis Proposal Approaches, Thesis Proposal Structure. These are link for these topics.

Thesis Proposal Approaches: https://moodle.arts.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/2090152/mod_folder/content/0/Thesis%20Proposal%20Approaches%20.docx?forcedownload=1

Thesis Proposal Structure: https://moodle.arts.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/2090152/mod_folder/content/0/Thesis%20structure%20and%20notes_master_V1.docx?forcedownload=1

I could understand about tips for writing thesis, especially, structure and contents which I should include in this thesis.

Summary: Should Include the Contents in Thesis

Keep Objective Style

Following Harvard Style: https://www.citethemrightonline.com/

1 Objective (Planning & Topic Selection)

• Select a Topic: Choose a motivating topic with potential impact that meets your assignment’s learning outcomes.
• Define your Target: Clearly identify your Audience (who will read it) and Purpose (what you want them to know).
• Plan the Research: Read the brief, break your thesis into logically ordered main questions and sub-questions, and plan your investigation.

2 Structuring the Thesis

Establish a working title and use the following 5-part structure:

1. Introduction: State the main issue, the topic being investigated, and the report’s purpose.
2. Methodology: Explain your chosen research methods, why you selected them, and how you applied them.
3. Literature Review: Critically evaluate the existing sources and literature that inform your research.
4. Investigation: Present your main discussion, options, and findings based on evidence (use citations and sub-headings).
5. Conclusions: Provide final takeaways or recommendations for your audience based on your findings.

Key Guidelines for Thesis & FMP

• Sources: Use and properly cite academically recognized sources (books, media, etc.).
• Practical Project (FMP): Base your project on your career goals. Decide how to exhibit it and whether it connects directly to your written thesis.
• Format: Choose an approach (experimental or commercial) and a medium (screen, installation, interactive, AR, games, etc.).
• Research Value: Define your audience. Clearly state why your research is original, important, and how it advances existing knowledge.
• Assessment Focus: You will be graded on deep research (Enquiry), skill synthesis (Knowledge), experimentation (Process), clear articulation (Communication), and professional quality (Realisation).