COM3706 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 2 2025 - DUE August 2025

1.1 INTRODUCTION [6] Briefly explain to the reader the purpose of the study (or assignment) and what to expect in the following sections of the study (assignment). You are also expected to introduce the daily newspaper that you will be analysing in your study. Note: Mention the name of your selected daily newspaper in your topic, introduction, body and conclusion. Attach the screenshot of the cover page of your selected newspaper as an addendum. 1.2 RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT/MAIN ISSUE [5] Formulate a research problem statement/main issue of the study. Read your prescribed book and study guide for guidelines on how to formulate a research problem statement. 1.3 SUBPROBLEMS [5] Identify three subproblems of the study. Ensure that your subproblems are researchable using the content analysis. Read the study guide and prescribed book to learn more about the subproblems in research. Also read the research scenario in more detail to identify the possible subproblems. 1.4 LITERATURE REVIEW [10] You need to read the suggested reading materials for literature review and identify what other studies reveal about how the media cover sports stories. Read your study guide and prescribed book to learn more about a literature review and its importance. Please note that no marks will be awarded if there are no cited sources in your literature review (at least three sources are required). You may consult academic sources other than the suggested readings. No marks will be allocated for copying and pasting from recommended readings, AI or any other sources. You need to paraphrase what the articles are saying to demonstrate your understanding. The same principle applies to the theoretical framework (next section). 1.5 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK [5] Present a theoretical framework of framing. Briefly narrate the history of framing theory; in other words, when was the theory conceived? Who are the key scholars of the theory? Provide a definition of the framing theory, key theoretical tenets (areas) of the theory, and the arguments of the theory under scrutiny. Note: The framing theory is featured extensively in other communication science modules such as COM3702 (Media Studies: Institutions, Theories and Issues) and COM2604 (Mass Communication and Media Theory). Those students who have done these modules can use the study guide or prescribed book to understand the concept of framing. If you have not done these modules, the suggested readings have used the framing theory. You may also find variety of readings dealing with framing theory online via Google Scholar or other tools. As indicated in the previous section, the practice of copying and pasting is not allowed. 1.6 RESEARCH DESIGN [20] Under the research method framework, you are expected to explain to your client, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture how you will conduct the research; in other words, explain to the client, the type of research design, the population of the study, the sampling type and size, unit of analysis and data collection instruments. • Briefly describe the different characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research designs. • Explain why your research design is both qualitative and quantitative. • What is the data collection method in this study? Also explain the process of collecting data. Indicate which newspaper you will collect data from and justify your selection. You should attach the screenshot of the cover page of your selected newspaper as an addendum. • What is the target and accessible population of the study? • What is the sample size of your study? • What is the unit of analysis of the study? • What is the data analysis method used in this study? 1.7 CONCLUSION [5] You are expected to conclude your research proposal with a brief paragraph. In other words, briefly remind your readers of what has been discussed in the previous sections of the assignment.