Broadly defined, media “platforms” are methods (linked with technologies) that allow media producers to deliver content to media consumers or audiences. “Platform” may refer to a technology, service, site, or method of delivering content. Every platform has its own uses, gratifications, technologies, rules/codes, structures, cultural standards of use—in short, what we might call its own “ecosystem.”
Traditional or “old” media platforms (print and broadcast media, including books, newspapers, magazines, television, film, etc.) rely on unidirectional messaging. Digital or “new” media platforms (internet media, including social media, knowledge platforms, media sharing platforms, service-oriented platforms) allow multi-directional messaging.
For your essay, you will choose one modern media platform to research. Your research will enable you to provide the following in your essay:
- A detailed description of the platform
- An explanation of its technological and cultural development
- An account of its practices and standards
- A consideration of its place and significance in evolution of media
- A theoretical consideration of its cultural impact
Scholarly/Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Ebsco search for Communication/Media StudiesSearch across the following databases:Communication & Mass Media Complete; Academic Search Premier; MLA International Bibliography; Humanities International Complete; SocINDEX with Full Text; and Business Source Premier,
Note:Click on Choose Databases (above the search boxes) to change the databases being searched.
- Limit to Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals under Limit your results.
- Sample search:
Facebook
AND
(effect or influence or impact)
- JSTOR This link opens in a new window
- Since results may contain articles that are not peer reviewed, search for the journal title using the A-Z Journals by Title list to verify the journal's peer-reviewed status.
- Science Direct This link opens in a new windowAccess to full text of over 2,500 scholarly, peer-reviewed journals in the areas of: Biochemistry; Business and Management; Genetics and Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Immunology and Microbiology; Medicine; Psychology; and Social Science. Includes recently-accepted articles in press.
- Note: AND, OR, NOT must be entered in all uppercase. (See further details.)
- All the content is scholarly, peer reviewed.
- Sample search: Facebook and behavior
- Google Scholar This link opens in a new window
- Click on the Full-Text@Emmanuel at the right of articles or the more option below the item record.
- Search for the journal title using the A-Z Journals by Title list to verify the journals peer-reviewed status.
Company and Industry Information
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new window
- Click on Company Profiles and search by your company's name to access the MarketLine report. This report includes: A company history, SWOT analysis, and major products and services for larger companies like Facebook.
- Search for articles on your company along with mobile app and social media industry
Note: Limit to Scholarly (Peer-Reviewed) Journals.
Explore the resources on the Company/Industry Guide for more in depth company and industry research.