task 1: qualitative and quantitative research.

I will create a report explaining the advantages and disadvantages of qualitative and quantitative research, with relevant media examples.




What is qualitative?
Qualitative is the view or opinion of a matter from the point of an 'expert'. examples are a review in a magazine, diaries and interviews. The information can be trusted to a certain degree but is not 100% reliable. qualitative is the the opposite to quatitative.


Advantages:
- easily accessible 
- get close to peoples actual experiences, meanings and feelings
- gain massive insight into peoples lives and could obtain highly valid information


Disadvantages:
- can question the authenticity and credability of the response given
- sources of the subject to bias as the content may reflect the strong opinion of the person




What is quantitative?


Quantitative is information that is utterly factual. Quantitative is just basic data such as exam results, statistics, graphs and tallies about different and spesific subjects.


Advantages:
- Provides reliable information in terms of accuracy
- reduces bias
- quick to use


Disadvantages:
- statistics lack insight into the meaning, feelings, experiences and motivations of the people being studied 
- In constant need of updating 
- can be outdated 
- can be false


Supersize me - A 1 part documentary about an average american man that takes on a nothing but Mcdonalds diet for 30days in an experiment  to see how it affects his health
 Qualitative and Quantitative analysis: 


Quantitavtive -
- 6 weeks after film McDonalds elminated Supersize portions option of its menu
- Texas is one of the fattest states
- Detroit is now the no.1 fattest state 
- The Mcgrill contains more fat than a big Mac and more sugar than cookies (51g fat, 79% of daily intake)
- Man started the Mcdiet at 185 pounds and ended the Mcdiet at 210 pound
- Cholesterol at 2.30 (dangerous level due to the mcdiet)
- Mcdiet caused 'fat liver' (dangerous build up of fat around liver)
- Went from having just 1% body fat to 18% body fat
- Daily intake of 1 pound of sugar totally in 30 pounds of sugar during the Mcdiet
- twice as likely to have heart failure / diesease 


Qualitative - 
- no sex drive
- Mcdiet caused headaches
- mood swings
- interview with McDonalds: Mcdonalds can be enjoyed as a healthy diet
- Diet expert: Fast food should ideally never be consumed or very rarely
- GP said suggested that this food can be potentially dangerous 
- fast food can be nutritious
-  we know the damage that can caused by fast food


This program presented its different information through animation, narration, images,  short clips and through interviews.
Most of the information was visual which included graphs and animation.


In my opinion, I thought this perticular media example was a very good example to use as it presented its information well in a small amount of time. I managed to get 20 facts about qualitative research within 10 mins of watching this program and it was easily recorded as it was smoothly put across to the audiences.
I liked the way this programme included a vast variety of information and research and vividly contrasting between qaulitative and quantitative examples.