Critical Investigation: Task #4

Online research sources

The next step for our critical investigation research is searching the archives of Media Magazine and other online sources. Although these may not be quite as credible or weighty as academic books and journals they can still add a huge amount to your critical investigation research.

By now, you should have over 4,500 words in your Notes and Quotes document and will still have a huge amount to read and watch - particularly the crucial ongoing academic research and bibliography that made up critical investigation task #2. Don't forget the historical text analysis that made up task #3, too. 

Today, we’re going to focus on another brilliant resource for our research: the online archives of various magazines and websites that you have exclusive access to.

Media Magazine archive

We have the last 30 issues of Media Magazine in pdf format and also in the archive is a Word document with the contents for each issue. This means it will be easy to go through all 30 issues and identify articles that could help with your topic.

Once you’ve identified the articles, you can then read and research them to add to your Notes and Quotes document.


Media Edu

Another online resource that contains a large number of case studies and articles on key media issues is mediaedu.

Click on the top right box 'Login' and use our Greenford Media that will be emailed to you. Once logged in, you may need to search for a few different aspects of your topic but you will find some excellent case studies, theories and more on this website.



e-Jump Cut online media journal

Jump Cut is an online contemporary Media journal with an archive dating back 40 years. It is published every year and each issue offers around 50 articles on aspects of film and media, often looking at controversial or niche topics. The current issue is available here and the archive can be found here.

It's definitely worth searching the e-Jump Cut archive for articles on your chosen topic – there are hundreds to choose from. This could be particularly useful for your historical text analysis from task #3. Note: you don't need a log-in for Jump Cut, the material is available for free online. 


Notes & Quotes: 6,000 words

You need to search all three archives and make notes/quotes from at least ONE article or page from each. However, you need at least FIVE new sources in total - and if you can't find five between the three sites you are not looking hard enough. You should be looking to add another 500+ words to your N&Q document helping you towards the next milestone which is 6,000 words.

Deadline: task completed and 6,000 words in your Notes & Quotes document by Wednesday 6 December.

If you have a problem with any of the links or log-ins then please let me know.