CMNS 230: Case study
SYLVIA ROBERTS
Communication librarian
sroberts@sfu.ca
Case Study assignment
“Rather than making an argument or a thesis, you are analysing an
organisation, a problem or an issue. It involves acquiring and in-depth
understanding of the operations of the organisation or issue and its
impact on the wider media/cultural industries and society.”
CBC
CRTC
TELEVISION
INDUSTRY
Friends of Canadian
Broadcasting
CTV
Requirements
• Do some preliminary research first before settling on a topic to
ensure you are able to find sufficient appropriate sources.
• Each essay should include a minimum of five sources, with at least
one of your references from an academic source (something from
your course readings is acceptable to meet this requirement).
• Proper APA citation and referencing format should be followed.
• You are encouraged to use graphics such as charts of organisational
structure, if that will strengthen your study – but be sure to reference
all figures appropriately.
Choose an entity from the following
• A) A regulatory / policy institution (e.g. CRTC, BC Film Commission)
• B) An advocacy organization (e.g. OpenMedia)
• C) a media or cultural company (e.g. CTV, CBC, Vancity Theatre)
In-depth understanding
• Organization web site – “about”, “history”, reports, governance
• Annual reports
• Financial statements
• Books, by and about (e.g. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)
• Articles in Canadian news and business databases (e.g. CBCA Fulltext
business)
Industry research sources
• Business Source Complete and : industry analysis, news, trade
publications
• Sector focused databases: news & views, profiles (e.g. Music Index)
• Industry associations: reports, statistics, advocacy
• Think tank reports: analysis, profiles
• Parliamentary and government sources for policy environment:
consultations, legislation, reports, press releases
• Interviews with key players (competitors, founders, legislators)
Policy Institution
• Institution web site to find mandate, annual reports, budget information, reporting structure
• e.g. CRTC
• Communication, business & policy article indexes for history, regulatory scope, future of
institution, stakeholders
• Academic journal articles, trade publications, news sources
• Also books & reports
• Government sources stakeholders, impact on industry, future
• e.g. Parliamentary committees , government departments
• Trade/industry associations
• e.g. CMPA
Advocacy Organization
• Organizational web site
e.g. OpenMedia
• Social media
e.g. Twitter , Facebook
• Funding: charitable status?
• CRA charities registry
• Also articles in academic journals, stakeholders, news reports, etc.
Company research
• FIRST, is your company:
•
•
•
•
Profit or not-for-profit?
Private or public?
Independent or subsidiary?
e.g. CBC , CTV
• Annual reports, financial statements, operations, plans
• Article indexes for news, trade publications, industry and company profiles:
• Business Source Complete
• CBCA Fulltext business
• Trade associations
 e.g. Canadian Association of Broadcasters
Questions
• On Canvas, research guide pages at bottom of modules
• On the SFU Library web site: Search for “cmns 230” or via the
Browse Research Guides link
• Ask a Librarian
• Sylvia Roberts sroberts@sfu.ca