The Study Design and Data Collection

This chapter outlines the methodological choices made in the development and carrying out of the research detailed in this book. The chapter considers in some detail the nature of audience research as a subjective and representational activity, and situates the study detailed here as a product both of the author's personal interest in the subject matter, and their desire to capture the voices of young people. The chapter gives a detailed account of the key decisions made before data collection took places, including describing each of the chosen screenings and the reasoning behind their selection, as well as explaining the thinking behind the series of questionnaires through which the data was collected. In addition to this, the chapter explores the challenges of carrying out research with young audiences, including a detailed discussion of the many specific challenges encountered in the course of the data collection period. Finally, the chapter explores the reasoning behind the shift towards a more qualitative approach to the research, including the introduction of focus groups as an additional data collection method.