Blog Post #3

Content

Through my research on gender bias in late night talk shows, I found out that there is a gap in the amount of questions asked towards female and male celebrities. Although there is no significant difference in the type of categories asked to the two genders, there is still evidence that there is gender bias within the difference of the quantity of questions asked overal towards men and women. My initial hypothesis of there being a difference between the categories/types of questions asked towards male and female celebrities was proved incorrect because of its statistical insignificance. However, this data presented a new interesting idea of there being far more questions asked towards women than men. In my next steps of this research I could figure out the reasoning behind this surprising data and see if there is a gender related issue behind it. I could also expand my research to multiple celebrity interviews rather than just late night talk shows. This could include press conferences, movie promotions, and other interview types. 

Product

From the final presentation, oral defense, and academic paper of this research project, I learned how important it was to have defendable research. This could mean connecting the ideas of the research through previous academic articles, or making sure your own data collection process is unbiased and done in the proper manner. I also learned how the research process works and how to conduct research. I can apply this in my future learning when I do research in college and apply these skills, or just use them in my school work and outside life. For example, I could use what I learned about having defensible research in my future english classes, and how to connect ideas for future projects and back up my ideas thoroughly. 

Process

As a researcher, I learned that I am able to conduct in depth research and follow a project through a year long process. I think this shows that I am able to dedicate time to my craft. As a student I have learned many skills that I will take with me to college, such as time management, staying organized, and getting through academic hurdles. As a person, this project has broadened my scope of knowledge about gender bias in media and has opened up how I view gender discrimination in society. It has also made me appreciate research and be attuned to how different academic ideas and theories came to a certain conclusion through research.  

Acknowledgments

Throughout this process, Ms. Dobos and Mr. McBride have played a huge part in assisting me in this project by leading the class and giving advice on how to go about different parts of the research. Their support and feedback helped a lot in determining how to go about a year long research project. I would also like to thank my parents for giving their support and encouragement when research became difficult. They also assisted in my presentation and paper by letting me rehearse in front of them and giving me tips on how to present better, and by looking over my paper to check for mistakes.