Audio Essay: Radio Documentary

Introduction

This page features an 'audio essay', a new concept with which we
experimented in our audio production course this year. The aim was to apply principles drawn from qualitative social research methodology to a
reflective discussion of our experiences of putting together audio
documentaries. At the bottom of the page, there is an explanation of the
relationship between my own approach to the practice of producing audio documentaries and principles drawn from qualitative social research
methodology.

The right hand panel lists concept drawn from social research that I find of value to my own practice. In the main panel, I present a series of radio talks reflecting on different aspects of my experience of producing an audio documentary. Each talk draws on the theoretical concepts that I discuss on the page. By listening to the talks and studying the text, listener’s \ readers will hopefully find that theory and practice comes together into a meaningful whole.

This documentary follows the troubled past life of a young man from Grahamstown, who was often in conflict with law. However through arts theatre he has attempted to change his life but his dark past sins refuses to completely let go of him.

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Guide Lines: list of concepts drawn from social research

In-depth interviews:

An in depth interview is a qualitative research method. It involves asking questions, listening, expressing interest, and recording what was said. Generally they involve one or more people being present, occur in the field, and are informal and non-directive.

In-depth interviews are a joint production of a researcher and a member where the members are active participants whose insights, feelings, and cooperation are an essential part of the discussion process that reveals subjective meanings. The kinds of questions asked are flexible, iterative and continuous. The idea is to get to know the subject well, be interested in the subject and thus give them an opportunity to speak about what they find interesting and important in their lives (Newman, 2001; 378).

Ethnography:

Ethnographic research is the scientific description of specific human cultures and societies, based almost completely on fieldwork. Ethnography is the study of people acting in the natural courses of their daily lives. The fieldworker (journalist) ventures in the worlds of others in order to learn firsthand about how they live, they talk, behave and what captivates and distresses them (Newman, 2001; 368).

Flexibility:

Successful field researchers tend to follow a number of flexible steps that are necessary in achieving the goal of their research. Being flexible when conducting field research would give the researcher an advantage as they can easily seize opportunities that become available to them and would easily shift direction and play by the ear and adjust to fluid social situations (Newman, 2001; 378).

Research site or subject:

Selecting a site or subject is equally important. A site according to Newman (2001; 385) is the context in which events or activities occur, a socially defined territory with shifting boundaries. Three factors are relevant when choosing a research site; richness of data, unfamiliarity and suitability (Newman, 2001; 386).

Gate keepers:

Having chosen a site, there is also need to gain access to a site and there are usually gatekeepers. A gatekeeper is someone with the formal or informal authority to control access to a site (Newman, 2001; 387). If it is a community that has been chosen, then maybe there is the community leader who would have to be approached to seek permission. Sometimes, they do not have to be specific authorities but people who are well known and respected because they can help in having the community be more open to an “outsider”.

Exiting research field:

Finally, leaving the field is also just as important and can be difficult because a person may have built emotional connections and friendships with the people. Therefore, the stage implies exiting, dissolving relationships and emotional disengagement among other things (Sarantakos, 2005: 209).

Audio Essay

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Introduction

Radio Documentary

Guide Lines: list of concepts drawn from social research

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