The First Scientific Seminar of the Methodological Forum of Young Media Researchers

14 April 2025

We warmly invite you to take part in the First Scientific Seminar of the Methodological Forum of Young Media Researchers, which will be held online on June 5–6, 2025.

Below you will find four thematic areas, each accompanied by a brief description and sample questions intended to inspire prospective speakers. We encourage you to read through them, submit paper proposals addressing the outlined issues, and participate in the discussions.

The seminar is addressed to PhD candidates and students in the field of media and communication studies, as well as related disciplines. Participation in the seminar is free of charge.

If you are interested in delivering a paper (presentation time: 20 minutes) or attending the Forum as a participant, please register via the form.

Topic One: The “Art” of Choosing – Between Methodological Pluralism and Commitment to a Single Method

In the context of media research, the dilemma between methodological pluralism and fidelity to a chosen method becomes particularly significant. Media, as a subject of scholarly inquiry, are exceptionally complex, dynamic, and multidimensional. This complexity calls for the application of various analytical tools, while at the same time requiring a precise methodological approach to capture all key aspects of the studied phenomenon.
In this light, it is worth reflecting on how both methodological options – methodological pluralism vs. commitment to a single method – can be effectively applied in media studies, and what advantages and limitations each of them entails.

Guiding Questions:

What are the benefits and challenges of applying methodological pluralism in media research?
How does the combination of quantitative and qualitative methods affect the quality and reliability of media research findings?
Which research methods are most effective for analyzing content published on social media platforms?
In what ways can different theoretical perspectives (e.g., critical analysis vs. empirical analysis) complement each other in media research?
What are the main challenges in integrating findings obtained through different research methods in media studies?
In which cases is the use of a single, specific research method more effective than methodological pluralism?
What limitations may arise from relying on one research method when analyzing the influence of media on society?
How does commitment to a single method affect the generalizability of research findings in media studies?
Is content analysis sufficient as a standalone research method to fully understand media mechanisms?
How can experimental research provide precise insights into the impact of media on social behavior?
What factors influence the choice between methodological pluralism and fidelity to one method in media research?
What are the implications of choosing one of these methodological strategies for interpreting media research findings?
How does the nature of the studied media (e.g., traditional vs. digital) affect the selection of research methods?
Is there an optimal methodological strategy for studying contemporary media?
What are some examples of media research where methodological pluralism or a single method proved most effective?

Topic Two: Ethics in Media and Media User Research – Findings from Original Studies and Good Practices

Ethics in media research and the study of media users is a crucial aspect that is gaining increasing importance in the context of contemporary academic inquiry. Media – both traditional and new (including social media) – have a profound impact on society, shaping opinions, attitudes, social norms, and interpersonal relationships. As a result, research on media and their users must be conducted in accordance with strict ethical standards that safeguard participants’ privacy and autonomy, while also ensuring the reliability and credibility of the findings. This topic encourages reflection on ethical challenges, the sharing of good practices, and the presentation of original research that addresses these issues in practice.

Guiding Questions:

What are the key ethical principles that should be upheld in research on media and media users?
How do evolving media technologies influence ethical standards in research?
What are the major challenges related to protecting the privacy of participants in media studies?
What are the ethical boundaries of collecting and analyzing data from social media users?
To what extent are social media users aware that their data may be used for research purposes?
Which methods of obtaining informed consent are most effective in studies involving internet media users?
What ethical risks are associated with researchers’ interactions with media users in digital spaces?
How can researchers ensure the protection of personal data of participants in media studies?
What strategies are used to anonymize data in research on social media?
What legal consequences may arise from unethical processing of media user data?
What are the ethical challenges in analyzing content from both traditional and digital media?
What best practices can be implemented to ensure the reliability and objectivity of media content analysis?
What are the ethical implications of research focused on disinformation and fake news in the media?

Topic Three: Methods of Disseminating Research Findings. Media – Communication Channels – Strategies for Educating Non-Academic Audiences

The dissemination of scientific research findings is a key element in building a bridge between the academic world and the general public. Contemporary science communication requires the use of diverse methods that enable complex content to be conveyed in a manner that is both understandable and engaging for non-expert audiences. In this context, the media, various communication channels, and educational strategies are essential for effectively reaching society with research results. Numerous tools and approaches are available for researchers and academic institutions to effectively share their discoveries.

Guiding Questions:

How do different types of media (traditional vs. digital) influence the effectiveness of disseminating scientific research findings?
What types of scientific content are most eagerly consumed by audiences across different media (press, television, social media, YouTube)?
What communication strategies are used by researchers and academic institutions on social media to popularize their research?
In what ways do traditional and digital media differ in terms of perceived credibility of scientific content?
What are the main ethical and methodological challenges involved in disseminating research findings through the media?
Which communication channels (visual, audiovisual, textual) are most effective in reaching different audience groups?
How does the format of presentation (infographics, podcasts, webinars, live streams) affect the understanding and assimilation of scientific knowledge?
What role do social media algorithms play in the distribution of scientific content?
How do science podcasts impact audience engagement with research topics?
What visual and linguistic elements enhance the effectiveness of communicating research results in digital media?
What science dissemination strategies are most effective in educating people outside the academic community?
What role do non-governmental organizations and cultural institutions play in promoting research findings?
How can educational games support the popularization of science, and how do they influence audience engagement?
What forms of collaboration between researchers and the media are most effective in disseminating research?
What is the importance of tailoring scientific content to different audience groups (e.g., youth, seniors, professionals outside academia)?
What are the biggest barriers to effective communication of research findings to the general public?
What risks are associated with science communication in the age of misinformation and fake news?
How can researchers counteract misinformation about their studies on social media?
How can interest in science be increased among people who are not typically engaged with the academic environment?
How does simplifying scientific communication affect its substance and public reception?

Topic Four: Inductive and Deductive Methods. Towards Applied Media Studies and the Challenges of Contemporary Media Civilization

Contemporary media civilization, shaped by the rapid development of communication technologies, poses new challenges and tasks for researchers and communication practitioners alike. From the perspective of media studies, which explores the influence of media on society, cultures, and individuals, it is crucial to understand the ways in which media phenomena are analyzed and interpreted.
In this context, research methods such as induction and deduction play a significant role in the development of media studies as a discipline. It is worth reflecting on how these methods are applied in media research and what contemporary media-related challenges call for new research approaches.

Guiding Questions:

What are the key differences between inductive and deductive methods in analyzing media phenomena?
In which cases within applied media studies is the inductive method more effective, and in which the deductive one?
What methodological limitations are associated with using inductive and deductive methods in media research?
How can inductive and deductive approaches complement each other in the analysis of media phenomena?
What research techniques (e.g., content analysis, digital ethnography, experiments) are most commonly used within inductive and deductive frameworks in media studies?
How can the inductive method be used to analyze the impact of advertising campaigns on audiences?
How can deduction be applied to studying the effectiveness of communication strategies in social media?
What is the role of the inductive method in analyzing emerging trends in digital media (e.g., viral content, micro-influencers)?
How can deduction be used to test existing media theories in the context of contemporary communication challenges?
What insights into media dynamics can be gained by using an inductive approach to analyze user responses to image crises in the media?
How do changes in media consumption patterns necessitate adaptation of inductive and deductive research methods?
How can inductive and deductive methods be applied in studies on disinformation and fake news?
What challenges do researchers face when analyzing media using deductive methods in the context of algorithm-driven content distribution in social media?
Which research methods are most effective in analyzing the impact of artificial intelligence on media communication?
What are the main difficulties in studying the influence of big data on media messaging from both inductive and deductive perspectives?
How can the inductive method help examine the formation of online identities in social media?
How can deduction be used to analyze the influence of media on democratic processes and public opinion formation?
What inductive models of media analysis are useful for studying digital filter bubbles?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of using the deductive method in analyzing the impact of media on voting behavior
How can research methods be used to analyze social polarization triggered by digital media?
What research strategies can help predict future media trends based on big data analysis?
How can inductive methods be used to analyze the role of influencers in shaping public opinion?
What are the benefits of using the deductive method in studies on the effectiveness of digital educational campaigns?
How can inductive content analysis help identify mechanisms of propaganda and manipulation in the media?
How can the deductive method be applied to studying the effectiveness of crisis communication strategies in the media?

We cordially invite you to participate in the FMMBM seminar. We invite young researchers, PhD students and students preparing their master’s theses, as well as all others interested in research methodology in social communication and media sciences.
Applications are accepted via the form until May 20, 2025.

Contact: forum.mlodych.badaczy@uken.krakow.pl