To+What+Level+do+Children+Interpret+and+Learn+From+the+Messages+in+iCarly,+August+Navarro


 * Research Question:** What effect do the advertizing pods have on viewers of iCarly? Do they condition young children for consumer society at a young age? What perceived messages are being relayed to children and what do the advertizing pods featured in iCarly teach us about the shows target viewers and how advertisers approach a young but profitable segment of the economy? Also, how do parents of these children feel about commercials their children are watching?


 * Methods:** Content analysis of iCarly followed by content analysis among a group children; a group of parents; and Online Research.


 * Work Plan** – My main method of research will be aimed at understanding how kids as well as their parents perceive commercials in iCarly episodes after they watch them. I will first have to do a very deep watching of several iCarly episodes and map out the commercials, taking note of which themes, stereotypes, and ideas are presented on a regular basis. By comparing my observations to traditional advertising theory, as well as other scholarly research on the subject, I will develop one series of questions to ask children (boys and girls 10-14) and another series of questions to ask parents of these children. After I have a map of the commercials and questions, I will watch them with children of the presumed age group and ask them these questions before, during, and after the episode. After my initial research is done, I will compare it to current online research that explores similar topics, taking into consideration advertising pods that appear on other television shows, analyzing how commercial advertisements and promos in iCarly relay information to children. I am also interested in how parents react to the advertisements that their children are being exposed to on a regular basis. I may find it necessary to also research commercial pods in adult entertainment and compare it to that of children's entertainment. I am confident that there is sufficient scholarly research on this topic, that when combined with my first hand interviews and observational research, i will be able to formulate some interesting answers to my hypothesis.

Predictions - I expect to draw several conclusions from my research. The first is that young children's consumer behaviors are directly connected to the commercials they view on their favorite programs. I also expect that the commercials in a show not only reflect the programs target audience, but may actually shape it. I also plan to draw several conclusions from the parents point of view. I dont think parents realize how many commercials their children are being exposed to in a 30 minute show, as well as the content of the commercials. I am extremely interested in what the parents reaction to this information will be and how that will effect the shows and amount of time they allow their children to watch television. This topic is particularly interesting to me as i have studied advertising extensively here at Temple, and have been consistently surprised at the lack of information, literature, and emphasis on advertising towards young children. This will allow me to research something i have been interested in for a long time, as well as generate some information on this subject.

Terrific project here - this is a comprehensive research plan and I like your vision and creativity in developing it. But for this class, it's probably too big to do in just a few weeks. It might be difficult to get access to parents, for example. I suggest sticking with the content analysis of the iCarly pods along with viewing and discussion with children--- that's plenty big enough for such an important topic! You have the green light!