Ineedabreak
New member
Hi All,
I realize turning to YA for this maybe a long shot, but I figured I would give it a go anyway. I'm currently writing a Masters level dissertation about Commercial Self Publishing and I need some help focusing my methodology chapter.
My research question is centered around the concept of whether or not 'Commercial' Digital Self Publishers such as Authorhouse are representing themselves correctly based on the services they offer potential authors. For example, Lulu.com calls itself a self publisher, yet their listed business model makes them sound as more of vanity publisher(a term that is obviously looked down upon in the industry).
My main plan of methodology was to complete a Content Analysis of four popular digital self publishing company websites by focusing on different aspects including their selling 'Motto' or website branding slogan, Marketing Plan, How much they offer authors in Royalties, etc and then make inferences about whether or not this makes them Vanity, Subsidy, or true Self Publishers.
My question for everyone is: Does Content Analysis make sense in this context? Over the past month, i have read at least 15 research books and I keep coming back to this concept for my project, although I don't understand the framework of what the Content Analysis works in. Does analyzing websites mean that I'm doing Textual Analysis or something else?
Most of my data will be qualitative, only dealing with numbers periodically from the information in the literature review. Does this mean I am using induction or deduction??
I have most of the data collected and am actually prepared to write, but I keep stumbling over A. What my methodology "type" is and B. If it's actually correct or if I should choose a different methodology outside of Content Analysis.
Does anyone have any insight or recommendations? Unfortunately, my thesis advisor is completely rubbish and has been absolutely useless throughout this ENTIRE process. If I email him, he emails back saying things like "Good Job, Keep it Up, Etc. Nothing of substance, so basically I'm working with no support from my department.
I know I'm on the right track, I just need a little more guidance on this.
Thanks for your help!!!!
Oh, I should also note that I was unable to find much formal research on my topic. No dissertations, No Term papers either. Most of my lit review is made up of newspaper articles and industry opinion pieces.
I realize turning to YA for this maybe a long shot, but I figured I would give it a go anyway. I'm currently writing a Masters level dissertation about Commercial Self Publishing and I need some help focusing my methodology chapter.
My research question is centered around the concept of whether or not 'Commercial' Digital Self Publishers such as Authorhouse are representing themselves correctly based on the services they offer potential authors. For example, Lulu.com calls itself a self publisher, yet their listed business model makes them sound as more of vanity publisher(a term that is obviously looked down upon in the industry).
My main plan of methodology was to complete a Content Analysis of four popular digital self publishing company websites by focusing on different aspects including their selling 'Motto' or website branding slogan, Marketing Plan, How much they offer authors in Royalties, etc and then make inferences about whether or not this makes them Vanity, Subsidy, or true Self Publishers.
My question for everyone is: Does Content Analysis make sense in this context? Over the past month, i have read at least 15 research books and I keep coming back to this concept for my project, although I don't understand the framework of what the Content Analysis works in. Does analyzing websites mean that I'm doing Textual Analysis or something else?
Most of my data will be qualitative, only dealing with numbers periodically from the information in the literature review. Does this mean I am using induction or deduction??
I have most of the data collected and am actually prepared to write, but I keep stumbling over A. What my methodology "type" is and B. If it's actually correct or if I should choose a different methodology outside of Content Analysis.
Does anyone have any insight or recommendations? Unfortunately, my thesis advisor is completely rubbish and has been absolutely useless throughout this ENTIRE process. If I email him, he emails back saying things like "Good Job, Keep it Up, Etc. Nothing of substance, so basically I'm working with no support from my department.
I know I'm on the right track, I just need a little more guidance on this.
Thanks for your help!!!!
Oh, I should also note that I was unable to find much formal research on my topic. No dissertations, No Term papers either. Most of my lit review is made up of newspaper articles and industry opinion pieces.