OAR@UM Collection:/library/oar/handle/123456789/298082025-12-24T22:46:19Z2025-12-24T22:46:19ZBeauty vlogs and their influence on purchase intentions : a study amongst millennials in Malta/library/oar/handle/123456789/262882018-05-08T08:45:11Z2017-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Beauty vlogs and their influence on purchase intentions : a study amongst millennials in Malta
Abstract: Video communication is a rapidly growing medium which gives users the opportunity to
disseminate Electronic word of mouth in a more efficient manner. However, even though
conversational video blogging has increasingly become more popular and influential, few
studies have touched upon the topic (Biel & Gatica-Perez, 2013). Consequently, this
research study aims to fill the gap within this regard by examining whether perceived
credibility and attitude towards product information in beauty vlogs have an impact on the
purchase intention of viewers. In order to achieve this objective, the study adopts a
quantitative approach. An analysis of the data collected from the 226 survey participants
shows that both perceived credibility towards the vlogs and attitude towards product
information provided in vlogs have an effect on the user’s purchase intentions and
subsequently both hypotheses posited in the study are accepted. The main findings of this
research study correspond with previous findings in the literature that illustrate the
importance of perceived credibility (Pornpitakpan, 2004; Iqbal, Farooq & Ahmad, 2014)
and attitudes (Ajzen & Fishbein 1980) on the formulation of purchase intentions. Since
consumers show more credibility towards other consumers rather than towards
manufacturers (Cheong & Morrison 2008) this study suggests that marketers may achieve
better results in exposing their products by teaming up with beauty vloggers in order to
achieve maximum credibility, translating in an increase of sales and profits.
Description: B.COMMS.(HONS)2017-01-01T00:00:00ZUnderstanding the use of social media platforms by local sports organisations/library/oar/handle/123456789/262872020-05-12T12:14:42Z2017-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Understanding the use of social media platforms by local sports organisations
Abstract: Social media has become an integral part of everyday communications and the ease of access
to most social networking sites has provided a communications tools for many organisations.
This study explored how local sports organisations are making use of social media in order
to communicate to their audiences. To achieve this, the researcher has organised semistructured
face to face interviews with 12 representatives of local sport associations or
federations. The interviewees were mostly volunteers who were responsible for the creation
and curation of social media content.
There were different opinions and perceptions on social media. However, the respondents
were convinced of the necessity to maintain an online presence as they wished their
organisation to remain relevant in the public consciousness.
Despite the respondents were aware about the importance of social media as vehicle for
public relations, this study shows that most of them were inadequately trained for their
communications role. Their organisation even lacked the necessary investment or funding to
maintain a consistent and effective social media presence.
Description: B.COMMS.(HONS)2017-01-01T00:00:00ZDisrupted : the production of a Christian digital magazine/library/oar/handle/123456789/262862018-05-08T08:36:20Z2017-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Disrupted : the production of a Christian digital magazine
Abstract: This dissertation explores the possibility of launching a new digital magazine in Malta, targeted
towards youths who live by Christian ethos and/or are interested in a lifestyle that is inline with
the Christian faith.
Field research, in the form of a focus group and interviews, confirmed that there is a lack of local
Christian content online that is modern and interactive. Conciseness, simplicity and validity were
found to be key elements in the requisites for a local Christian digital magazine.
The process of content selection is outlined and the issues of a trans-media approach are detailed.
The final publication consists of a 24-page digital magazine in PDF and web format, featuring
four in-depth interviews including an audio-visual production.
Description: B.COMMS.(HONS)2017-01-01T00:00:00ZGender portrayal and stereotypes in books for fourth graders/library/oar/handle/123456789/262852018-05-08T08:18:21Z2017-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Gender portrayal and stereotypes in books for fourth graders
Abstract: This dissertation employs a qualitative approach in order to look into what gender
stereotypes are still in use within the reading books and textbooks fourth grade children
in Malta are exposed to. The study makes use of six books in total, mainly Abacus 3 -
Shapes Data and Measures and Abacus 4 - Numbers Textbook 1 for Mathematics,
Senduq Kuluri - Orangjo and Stilel for Maltese and Way Ahead 3 - Pupil’s Book and The
Dragon’s Bride and Other Dragon Stories for English. The methodology was split in
two with the main part being a thorough Semiotic Analysis of the six books and a
second part that encompassed in-depth interviews with local fourth grade teachers to
support the analysis. The study showed that some of the books still in use include a
worrying amount of gender stereotypes that might impact a child’s eventual behaviour
in society. Therefore a revaluation of books currently in use within schools, especially
the fourth grade, is suggested as a way forward.
Description: B.COMMS.(HONS)2017-01-01T00:00:00Z