So I have been instructed to do an analysis of a research paper, how exciting right? I thought I would try to make this as interesting as an analysis can be by choosing a semi-interesting topic, but here goes nothing…
Purpose/context: This article has the purpose to raise awareness amongst individuals that teenage boys are not receiving the same level of health education compared to teenage girls. This research paper in particular assesses and identifies the gap between teenage boys and girls and how they receive information about sexual development.
Author + topic and position: This paper is written by three renowned writers, including, Alan Mckee, Anthony Walsh and Anne-Frances Watson. Alan Mckee is an Australian University professor and internationally acclaimed researcher of sexualised media. Throughout this research article, Mckee’s expertise is demonstrated through his strong opinions and detailed research. Anthony Walsh is a Manager in Regional Services and Projects, Family Planning Queensland. Anne-Frances Watson is a Lecturer in Communication at the Queensland University of Technology. This research article is focused on the way in which teenage men are not being exposed to enough healthy sexual development teachings, compared to teenage girls. I portray this text as a reliable and accurate source due to the number of cited works throughout the text, and the title of the authors.
Audience: The intended audience for this article can include Australian teenage men, health care professionals, parents, university students, teachers and other researches. I think the writers directed the article towards this type of audience to raise awareness about sexual development and to promote an equal opportunity for both men and women to be educated about their health.
Proof/evidence: This article uses the qualitative research methodology to report on the use of digitally distributed vulgar comedy videos as a way to reach young men with information about healthy sexual development. The researchers conducted 20 focus groups with 89 people aged between fourteen and sixteen from 5 different schools. These children were questioned on the ways they gather various kinds of information about sex, including from school, parents, peers and the media. I think the findings are a valid source of information as there was first hand research conducted along with several different works cited.
Organisation: The organisation of this research paper was very clear and easy to read. The information was broken up into different sub-topics and clearly labelled under a sub-heading, for example ‘the uses of comedy’, ‘challenge 1: not being worthy’ etc. I think the way the information was put down on the paper in contrast with the actual topic, made it interesting to read and also was engaging.
Conclusion: This article has successfully shown that young men do not have equal access to information regarding healthy sexual development in comparison to women. Although most of the teenagers interviewed said they found sex ‘funny’ or that they learnt it from vulgar TV shows such as ‘Family Guy’, these shows can unconsciously provide some form of education in relation to sexual development to young boys. Overall I think the text has accurately demonstrated that there is a high demand for the need of increased education for teenage boys. In my opinion this is a very interesting research project and has been delivered very well by Alan Mckee, Anthony Walsh and Anne-Frances Watson.
References:
McKee, Alan; Walsh, Anthony and Watson, Anne-Frances. Using digitally distributed vulgar comedy to reach young men with information about healthy sexual development [online]. Media International Australia, Incorporating Culture & Policy, No. 153, Nov 2014: 128-137. Availability: <http://search.informit.com.au.ezproxy.uow.edu.au/documentSummary;dn=812537793796531;res=IELLCC>
Funky Fresh 