My Dissertation Question

[saxondale.]

Well it's still in the works and needs tweaking, but here is my question:
"Is Apple neglecting the media industry in favour of the high street consumer?"

When i say media industry, i'm talking about the pro consumers (video/music editors, graphic designers etc).

I just wanted to hear people's opinions about this.

Thanks

 

[Cave Man]

A dissertation should be based on hypotheses, not questions.

 

[saxondale.]

A dissertation should be based on hypotheses, not questions.

I will obviously come to a conclusion but i am keeping it open ended, since i don't even know where i stand at this point. I've been given the go ahead by my tutor, so if you don't mind, could we just focus on the question.

Thanks

 

[184550]

First off, will you be able to find/ conduct enough primary source research to adequately answer the question?

 

[saxondale.]

First off, will you be able to find/ conduct enough primary source research to adequately answer the question?

I definitely have enough connections in the media industry to get their views, but primary research about Apple is going to be tricky; i do have connections within Apple but that'll only take me so far.

 

[eawmp1]

An in-depth analysis of a secretive company that doesn't like negative press...good luck with that.

"Outsiders' Opinions/Perception On Apple's Evolution From Desktop Workstations to Portable/Consumer Computing Has Seemingly Left Pro Consumers Behind" might be a better title.

 

[184550]

I definitely have enough connections in the media industry to get their views, but primary research about Apple is going to be tricky; i do have connections within Apple but that'll only take me so far.

Then, I think, it all depends on the length of the dissertation.

If it's more than 15 or 20 pages you may have some trouble meeting the page length requirement.

Personally, I think the question is fine. It's just the research that sounds like it might be tricky.

 

[Richard1028]

"Is Apple neglecting the media industry in favour of the high street consumer?"

It stands to reason if a consumer is high they'll buy more. No surprise here.

 

[saxondale.]

Well the minimum word count is 7000, so it's not really a lengthy dissertation. I completely agree that it's going to be difficult to get solid information about Apple but it's something that i'm willing to chance. Apple have a huge affect on my industry and it's something i want to learn about it great detail. I feel like the connections i have will able me to get a somewhat accurate answer to this question.

eawmp1: I like your question. If it turns out that i have to go down that direction with my research, i'll definitely take your question into consideration if i change it.

Richard1028: Not sure i quite understand. I completely understand that the money is coming from the high street consumer, but with reports suggesting that Apple are pulling staff from pro app developments, it could very well cause a backfire if the next release of pro apps (fcp, logic, aperture etc) don't meet the expectations of the pro consumer - Final Cut Studio 3 is a good example of this.

I'm going to restrict my input in this thread, since it could influence or turn the thread it into something else.

Thanks

 

[saxondale.]

If any of you guys had to tackle this question, how would you break it down?

 

[Xeperu]

At what level is this dissertation? I tutor MSc students and if one would propose me something silly like your initial question I'd tell them to go home and think about it again to come up with something decent.

My advice is to broaden your scope to the top few tech companies. Also your initial question is suggestive. Try something more along the lines of "Is X affecting Y". Not "Is X negatively affecting Y "

 

[maflynn]

I don't think apple's focus on the consumer sector and supposed neglect of media industries is sufficient for a dissertation. Complicating the matter is the fact as others stated, the lack of source materials and dealing with a company that zealously protects its image and news.

I've never had to do a dissertation, but is "connections" to the industries sufficient for siting references? I mean will it be acceptable to quote Joe in the sound room for his opinion, or should you be siting publications and other acceptable forms.

Personally, I don' think apple had a serious and explicit focus on design, music, etc. Those folks started using Macs, and apple followed suit with some products but it wasn't AFAIK a overt decision to go after that sector.

You may have better luck writing a dissertation about apple's relationship with the education sector, how overtly courted school systems back in the early apple days and the eventual cooling of that sector by apple