Contributing Knowledge
In this assignment, I plunged headfirst into the murky world of qualitative research and emerged with an eye for decoding meaning beneath the surface. By dissecting the coding process and its ethical implications, I learned how to interpret raw, cluttered primary data, observations, all of it, and shape it into structured insight. The use of scholars like Denny & Clark and Charmaz illuminated how open and axial coding turns unfiltered narratives into coherent themes.
This response pushed me to not just organize information, but interrogate it, asking "why" and "how" rather than settling for the obvious. In doing so, I learned to weave my analysis into broader academic conversations about validity, reliability, and the ethics of representation. This isn’t just analysis, it’s creating meaningful knowledge from the ground up.
Reading Response: Analyzing Primary Data
Understanding Coding in Primary Data Analysis and Ethical Considerations.
Coding in research is more than just organizing data it is a way of interpreting and making
sense of qualitative information to identify patterns and deeper meanings. denny and Clark
(2021, p. 86) explain that coding is a crucial step in analyzing primary research, particularly
when dealing with qualitative data. While quantitative research often focuses on numbers and
statistics, qualitative research is about understanding behaviors, opinions, and experiences.
Down et al. (2012, p. 86) emphasize that qualitative research aims to answer “why” and “how”
questions that cannot always be measured numerically. This means coding is not just about
categorizing information but about exploring the underlying reasons behind responses and
actions.
When coding primary data, researchers go through a process that starts with collecting data
through interviews, surveys, or observations. These are basically your primary and secondary
sources. Once collected, the raw data must be organized and prepared for analysis. Creswell
(2009, p. 92) suggest that reading through all the data first is essential to understand its overall
meaning before assigning labels or themes. Open coding is a common approach, which means
identifying categories and patterns that naturally emerge from the data rather than applying pre-
existing labels. Charmaz (2014, p. 91) argues that this method allows the data to guide the
researcher rather than forcing it into predetermined categories. This is especially useful in
exploratory studies where researchers may not initially know what themes will be most
important. After open coding, researchers move to axial coding, where they look for
relationships between different codes and group them into broader themes. For example, in
their analysis of humor in superhero movies, Denny and Clark (2021, p. 94) found that
responses could be broadly categorized into positive and negative perceptions of humor. While
some responses highlighted humor as a tool for character development and audience
engagement, others saw it as a distraction that undercut emotional stakes (Denny & Clark,
2021, p. 96). Through axial coding, these categories could be refined further into themes like
audience immersion, pacing, and humors impact on narrative tension.
Interpreting and presenting coded data requires ethical responsibility. Gibson and Brown (2009,
p. 97) stress that analysis involves more than just reporting participant responses; it requires
deriving meaningful insights from the data. To ensure accuracy, researchers often use
intercoder reliability. Lavrakas (2008, p. 97) notes that when multiple researchers code the
same data and compare results, they minimize subjectivity and bias. Maintaining consistency in
coding strengthens the validity of research findings.
As far as ethical considerations, each step must guide every stage of research. Driscoll (2011,
p. 91) explains that ethics extend beyond data collection to interpretation and reporting.
Protecting participant confidentiality is critical; researchers must anonymize data using
pseudonyms or numerical codes, in line with the belmont report (1979, p. 91), which stresses
confidentiality to prevent harm. This step also minimizes researcher bias, which can occur when
identifying details influence analysis.
Beyond confidentiality, ethical research demands accuracy in representing data. Morse (2009,
p. 98) warns against cherry-picking, which involves selectively reporting data that supports a
specific argument while ignoring contradictory evidence. For example, if a study on social
medias effects on teens only highlight negative responses without acknowledging positive ones,
it presents a distorted picture of reality. To prevent this, researchers must include a balanced
view of the data.
Validation methods help ensure ethical analysis. One approach is member checking, where
researchers share their findings with participants to confirm accuracy. Another method is
triangulation, where multiple data sources or analytical approaches are used to cross-verify
results. both strategies strengthen credibility and reduce the risk of misinterpretation.
Clear communication is essential in ethical research. Findings must be reported transparently
with acknowledgment of limitations and potential biases. Researchers should avoid overstating
conclusions and instead present nuanced interpretations, allowing readers to form informed
opinions based on balanced evidence.
In summary, coding primary data is a big part of qualitative research that involves more than
categorization; it requires careful interpretation and ethical responsibility. Denny and Clark
(2021, p. 86) Emphasize that coding is about making sense of data in a way that generates
meaningful insights. Ethical research ensures that findings are trustworthy by prioritizing
confidentiality, balanced reporting, and transparency. Through proper coding and validation
methods, researchers can produce responsible and insightful analyses.
This annotated bibliography was a calculated strike, an intellectual infiltration of media studies through a lens of humor. I gathered, assessed, and synthesized a wide range of peer-reviewed sources to uncover how humor functions as both a narrative weapon and a tool of psychological manipulation. Whether through Baltag’s exploration of humor as expression or King’s dissection of comedic villains, I developed the ability to critically compare and evaluate diverse perspectives.
More than just summarizing, I interpreted how each source feeds into the central questions of storytelling, ethics, and audience influence. This project was the perfect arena for putting primary and secondary sources into direct conversation, placing theory against data, critiques against examples, and forging a cohesive narrative argument. It proved I can contribute to a scholarly dialogue and not just echo it.
Annotated Biliography
Tonal Modulation in Action/Drama Narratives: The Role of Humor in Balancing Tension and Action
1. Research Question
How do superhero movies use humor as a narrative tool to balance tension and action, and
what is the impact of this tonal modulation on audience engagement and character preception?
This question investigates the duality of humor and tension in high stakes action narratives,
analyzing it’s function in relieving narrative stress, deepening character relatability, and
enhancing audience emersion.
2. Critical Conversation
Superhero films have emerged as cultural touchstones, blending action, drama, and comedy to
appeal to broard audiences. Within this genre, humor has evolved as a key narrative element
that alleviates tension, enriches character depth, and sustains audience intrest during high
stake moments.
Relevant Conversations:
Film studies: Examines how genre conventions blend humor and drama to create unique tonal
hybrids. Narrative Studies: discuss the role of tonal contrasts in storytelling, particularly how
humor breaks tension without undermining narrative stakes.
Reception studies: Focuses on how humor influences audience preceptions of characters and
their emotional responses to narratives.
This research contributes to ongoing debates about how humor in superhero movies balances
there dual roles as lighthearted escapism and emotionally compelling storytelling.
3. Chosen Research Method
Method: Multimodal Analysis
Superhero movies rely on complex interactions between verbal, visual, and auditory elements.
This method allows for a comprehensive study of how humor is integrated across multiple
narrative layers, including:
Scripts and Dialogue: Analyzing comedic timing, verbal wit, and sitiuational humor.
Visual Humor observing non verbal elements, such as physical comedy and visual gags.
audience Feedback: Analyzing publicly available reviews, ratings, and commentary to asses
audience responses to humor.
This method is suited for superhero movies due to they’re reliance on multimodal storytelling,
blending dialogue, visuals, and action to convey tonal contrasts.
4. Basic Methodology
This study employs genre analysis and rhetorical criticisms to evaluate humor’s role in
superhero movies.
Genre Analysis: Identifies reoccuring patterns in how humor interacts with action and tension
across selected films. rhetorical criticism, Explores humor as a rhetorical tool to create
emotional release, establish character relatability, and enhance narrative pacing.
Theoretical Frameworks:
Comedy Theory: Examines types of humor (e.g situational, slapstick, self depreciating) and their
narrative effects.
Narrative Theory: Investigates how tonal shifts structure pacing and character development.
Reception Studies: Focuses on audience interpretations and reactions to humor.
5. Plans for Making Sense of this data
Data collection,
Selected films represent diverse approaches to humor within the superhero genre:
Deadpool (2016): A self aware, humor heavy narrative that uses darker humor to engage
audiences.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014): Known for it’s ensemble driven comedic tone.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017): Combines mythological themes with humor to redefine it’s tone.
Avengers: Endgame (2019): Balances high emotional stakes with moments of humor to alliviate
tension.
data points:
Textual Data: Analyze scripts to identify instances of humor, timing, and it’s narrative function.
Visual Data: Study physical comedy, visual gags, and non verbal cues.
Audience Feedback: Use aggregate reviews, critical commentaries, and audience responses
from platforms like Rotten Tomatos, IMDb, and YouTube.
Coding and Categorization:
code instances of humor (eg. verbal, physical, meta humor) and classify their narrative role.
Compare humor heavy scenes to high tension moments to evaluate audience impact.
Comparative Analysis:
Contrast humor strategies in lighter films (Guardians of the Galaxy) with those in darker ones
(captain deadpool.)
Analyze patterns in how humor influences pacing, emotional stakes, and audience preceptions
of characters.
6. Selection Criteria
Why These Films?
They illustrate varied approaches to humor in superhero movies, ranging from humor dominant
to tension-heavy narratives.
Each film represents a milestone in the genre, shaping audience expectations and critical
discourse.
Their accessibility ensures robust analysis of scripts, visuals, and audience engagement data.
Why Multimodal Analysis?
Superhero films rely heavily on multimodal storytelling, combining verbal and visual humor to
convey tonal shifts. This approach captures the interaction of these elements, providing a
nuanced analysis of humor’s role in balancing tension and action.
7. Timeline for Conducting Primary Research
Week 5: Preparation and Planning
Finalize selection of films and obtain scripts.
Identify key scenes with humor and action for detailed analysis.
Begin gathering audience feedback from review platforms and commentary forums.
Week 6: Data Collection
Analyze selected films for humor instances, coding them by type and narrative role.
Collect visual and textual data, noting interactions between humor, action, and tension.
Gather audience feedback data (e.greviews, critical commentary, and social media discourse).
week 7 Data analysis
Compare humor’s role across films, focusing on narrative structure and audience response.
Identify recurring patterns in how humor balances tension and enhances character perception.
Analyze contrasts between humor heavy films (guardians) and darker ones (deadpool).
Week 8 Drafting Findings
Synthesize analysis into a cohesive narrative, focusing on humor’s role in balancing tension and
action.
Highlight implications for broader genre conventions and audience engagement.
To conclude
By exploring humor as a narrative tool in superhero movies, this research illuminates how tonal
modulation balances high-stakes action with emotional accessibility. The findings will contribute
to ongoing discussions on genre evolution, narrative strategies, and audience engagement in
contemporary cinema.