For Theme 3 I chose to examine an article by Jelle Mast
called Negotiating the “real” in reality
shows: production side discourses between deconstruction and construction as
it examines and analyzes contemporary concepts in a well-known area – the TV
industry.
The writing explains how reality shows are in fact
fragmented reality by supporting its claims via statements made by
interviewees. The people who have been cited in this project are either working
in this branch or have participated in those formats which helps the reader to
gain knowledge about the true nature of reality shows while relying on what the
interviewees have directly experienced.
Programs are being promoted as reality ones or “true to
life” as the audience easily identifies with their subject but before reaching
the public, what is promoted as real has actually been first attentively cut,
edited and ‘coloured’ by passing the stages of deconstruction and reconstruction.
Being an
entertainment kind of program, reality shows are following the limits set by
the televisual space. Even though they try to present real experiences and
behavior, there is already set algorithm of a storyline since the producers want
to meet the expectations of the audience and modulate their experience. Both
the participants of the show and the audience can be triggered emotionally.
The show relies on the participants’ ability to project
reality while they use certain acting tricks in a way to be more expressive.
This is why they are also known as social actors.
The deconstruction consists of cutting certain dialogue,
the use of decors and complex editing skills so that it is made to emphasise on
certain parts of the reality. The spectator is able to see only chosen reconstructed
fragments and witness certain type of behavior.
It is all about
capturing true events, real sounds, speech, people and then cut some of their “truth” to create an alternative reality.
Describe the
major theory or theories that are used in your selected paper. Which theory
type (see Table 2 in Gregor) can the theory or theories be characterized as?
Theoretically the article is looking on the problem in a
broad way so that certain points can be further observed and be subject to more
in-depth analysis but in my opinion it successfully defends its thesis of the
deconstructive and constructive nature of the reality shows. The main concept
is divided in several points each of which is supported by the interview of
certain specialist in the field it affects or a person affected by its outcome.
However, I feel that the article lacks of information on why and where this
tendency originates from.
In my opinion it is based on the theory of explanation
since it focuses on answering how reality is negotiated and how its constructs
lead to an empirical product (empirical in means of being what is shown without
gaining objective knowledge of its entireness).
There is a relationship between action and social structure with the analysis of the stages done to the product before it reaches the audience and explanation on why it is
done so – the audience to be entertained
via the effects of sound design and editing and also to identify and feel.
Furthermore, I found the usage of interpretative theory since the phenomena of
interest is explained from the point of view of the ones who have actually
experienced it in a real world situation.
Briefly
explain to a first year university student what theory is, and what theory is
not.
Theory is the
systemized argumentation of certain phenomena of interest, which creates a view
and provides knowledge about it.
The Information
Systems Theory in particular identifies and analyzes the connection between
empirical results with human behavior. Depending on which area of a process the
theory focus and to which questions it gives answers, it can be classified into
types. In the IS sphere the types are 5 – theory of analyzing, of explaining,
of predicting, of predicting and explaining and of design and action.
Theory cannot be defined as such if it does
not answer the question why. It provides information on why certain occurrence
or non-occurrence happens and if it lacks logic, consistency and in-depth
presentation to all of its constructs and the relation between them, then it
can be classified as a simple hypothesis. Furthermore, references, diagrams or
data itself cannot be specified as theory as they rather construct it and are
part of it than being able to exist on their own creating a whole image of
phenomena.
Which are the
benefits and limitations of using the selected theory or theories?
The benefits of selected theory is that it can be explored in a bigger
depth focusing on the problem it is resolving. It answers certain questions and concentrates on them without
focus-shifting. The wider the topic and the sphere it affects, the bigger the
options for the development of new sub-theories.
By specifying the type of
theory, one can easily reach his/her knowledge of interest as he is to be
guided by the points of interest it specifies. What is also beneficial is the
reach to set of specific outcomes instead of gaining general conclusion as this
hides the risk of missing essential knowledge.
In Scientific Research in Information
Systems: A Beginner's Guide
While observing
the classification of theories Jan Recker states theory depends on the nature of the problem, question or phenomenon
being addressed which I think is like that so it can reach its ultimate goal
that specifies what the theory is for.
However, this
still causes limitations as the IS uses theories which are applicable in a big
range of disciplines outside its sphere and in many cases there is need for
customized algorithms to be developed.
Used sources:
1. Mast, J. (2016) Negotiating the ‘real’ in ‘reality
shows’: production side discourses between deconstruction and reconstruction, Media Culture and Society Vol. 38. Available at: http://mcs.sagepub.com/content/38/6/901.full.pdf+html
(2016/09/13)
2.
Recker, J. (2013) Scientific research in information systems a beginner’s guide. 11th edn. Berlin: Springer.
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