The purpose of my ethnography is to explore people's opinion on workout supplements and to possibly correct some misconceptions about them. A significant number of guys, especially high school students, college students, and men in there 20s, take workout supplements without knowing what they really are. The media is loaded with images and advertisements of ripped men holding onto supplements. Such advertisements give men false impressions of what workout supplements really are, and people often mistake them for "magic juice" that gives them explosive muscle growth. Language that is used to describe such supplements also come across as significant problems. Phrases such as "scientifically proven to grow muscle" or "explosive lean muscle growth in this container" give consumers the wrong idea. I am planning to interview three people:
Person 1:
- Male college student
- Works out regularly, more than three times a week
- Have been lifting for more than three years and takes it seriously
- Have tried many different supplements and is taking them continuously
- Has a positive opinion about workout supplements
Person 2:
- Male college student
- Works out regularly, more than three times a week
- Have been lifting for more than three years and takes it seriously
- Have tried many different supplements, but quit taking them
- Has a rather negative opinion about workout supplements
Person 3:
- Female college student
- Works out regularly, more than three times a week
- Does not take workout supplements
- Has an objective view of supplements because she has never taken them before
The variety of questions that I would ask the three people are regarding their thoughts on workout supplements, and whether or not they were affected by the media in any way in making their decision. Since media making is a central component of the project, I would also ask them if they make any media themselves. (e.g. take selfies and post them on SNS)
Possible interview questions for guys
1. What is your health goal? Why do you work out?
2. Are you more concerned about internal health or external looks/ beauty?
3. Do you take supplements? How did you know about workout supplements?
4. How long have you been taking supplements for? If you don't take supplements or quit, what is your reason for doing so?
5. Are you aware of any health concerns regarding your supplementation?
6. Did the media affect you in any way in making your decision to take or not to take workout supplements?
7. How do you feel about workout supplement advertisements?
8. Do you think it is a necessary investment?
9. To what extent do you believe in the advertisements?
10. Do you think people, especially those in high school and college, often take workout supplements without knowing what they really are?
Possible interview questions for girls
1. What is your health goal? Why do you work out?
2. Are you more concerned about internal health or external looks/beauty?
3. Do you take supplements? If you do, how did you know about them? If not, why don't you?
4. In general, what do you think workout supplements are? What is your opinion on workout supplements?
5. It is more common for men than women to take supplements, why do you think it is so?
6. How do you feel about your guy friends taking workout supplements? Are you concerned about their health? Side-effects maybe?
7. Do you think they are aware of such things?
8. Do you think people, especially those in high school and college, often take workout supplements without knowing what they really are?
Person 1:
- Male college student
- Works out regularly, more than three times a week
- Have been lifting for more than three years and takes it seriously
- Have tried many different supplements and is taking them continuously
- Has a positive opinion about workout supplements
Person 2:
- Male college student
- Works out regularly, more than three times a week
- Have been lifting for more than three years and takes it seriously
- Have tried many different supplements, but quit taking them
- Has a rather negative opinion about workout supplements
Person 3:
- Female college student
- Works out regularly, more than three times a week
- Does not take workout supplements
- Has an objective view of supplements because she has never taken them before
The variety of questions that I would ask the three people are regarding their thoughts on workout supplements, and whether or not they were affected by the media in any way in making their decision. Since media making is a central component of the project, I would also ask them if they make any media themselves. (e.g. take selfies and post them on SNS)
Possible interview questions for guys
1. What is your health goal? Why do you work out?
2. Are you more concerned about internal health or external looks/ beauty?
3. Do you take supplements? How did you know about workout supplements?
4. How long have you been taking supplements for? If you don't take supplements or quit, what is your reason for doing so?
5. Are you aware of any health concerns regarding your supplementation?
6. Did the media affect you in any way in making your decision to take or not to take workout supplements?
7. How do you feel about workout supplement advertisements?
8. Do you think it is a necessary investment?
9. To what extent do you believe in the advertisements?
10. Do you think people, especially those in high school and college, often take workout supplements without knowing what they really are?
Possible interview questions for girls
1. What is your health goal? Why do you work out?
2. Are you more concerned about internal health or external looks/beauty?
3. Do you take supplements? If you do, how did you know about them? If not, why don't you?
4. In general, what do you think workout supplements are? What is your opinion on workout supplements?
5. It is more common for men than women to take supplements, why do you think it is so?
6. How do you feel about your guy friends taking workout supplements? Are you concerned about their health? Side-effects maybe?
7. Do you think they are aware of such things?
8. Do you think people, especially those in high school and college, often take workout supplements without knowing what they really are?