This graduate seminar explores participatory approaches to designing and conducting social inquiry using qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, particularly for media-based research projects. The class focuses on applying such approaches to understanding the role of participatory media, digital narratives, and networked cultures in diverse socio-cultural settings. Students examine case studies, theory and practice, as well as ethical considerations for conducting research in both online and place-based communities. I’ve been developing the course and teaching it with a diverse mix of graduate students from media studies, transdisciplinary design, international affairs, and urban studies at The New School since 2012, many of whom have undertaken thesis research based on the course.
In this intensive hands-on seminar we review approaches for designing pilot research projects, conducting independent and collaborative inquiry, and handling ethical concerns such as informed consent, privacy, and confidentiality. We examine conventional methods such as participant observation, focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and online surveys. We also explore novel participatory modes of research leveraging digital/social media, narrative, mapping, and audio/video for creative investigation. Finally, we examine ways of organizing, visualizing and analyzing the qualitative or quantitative data collected in the field to make sense of emerging research outcomes.
Course Syllabus: Participatory Media Research
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Nitin Sawhney 