OUGD601 - Dissertation - Primary Research - Content Analysis

After discussing with Richard during the first of my individual progress tutorials about where primary research would be applied within my exploration the decision has been made to complete the primary analysis in the form of systematic content analysis.

Due to the fact that my dissertation chapter one pertains to the examination and identification of specific design aesthetics within the graphic design of fashion magazines, the primary research in the form of a content analysis would give me the opportunity to thoroughly and systematically identify the traits in these design aesthetics. The content analysis will materials in the form of an investigation in to how design is used within VOGUE magazine. It will include the meticulous analysis of a range of different VOGUE magazines to identify the extent to which aesthetic trends occur within them.

Below is an example of another content analysis provided to me by Richard, completed C. Eddie Palmer pertaining to Pornographic comics. This example will be very useful as the first point of research for this section as a content analysis is an elements of which I'm not very knowledgeable or proficient in and so this example will help to guide my content analysis correctly and will show me an example of how this should be completed.

After looking at multiple examples of pre-existing content analysis' the decision was made to follow a simple linear method of practice, based upon all examples that were evaluated. Due to the nature of content analysis as primary research there is an inherent order of practice and this is the order in which I will also follow.
The first stage of the primary research is to introduce the intention of the overall investigation the content analysis centres around, reasoning why the subject area was chosen and what I will take from the investigation through an Abstract section. This will outline the means in which the content analysis will be completed.
The next stage of the analysis is to outline a strict methodology that the analysis will adhere to. This will have the objective of identifying out outlining all reasoning for the content analysis by means of evaluation. This linear method will include sections in which the sample of media analysed will be reasoned, the procedure in which this sample will be analysed systematically and finally outline the categories of which will be looked for throughout the content analysis.
After this is completed the actual content analysis can then be completed thoroughly and systematically, identifying all evidence of design aesthetics within my chosen sample of VOGUE magazines. Finally the results of the content analysis will be identified and analysis to see the extend to which design aesthetics trends occur within the VOGUE magazines and all of the results of the information will be formatted in to a table of results of occurrences.