Institute for Communications and Gamification Research

13/05/2026

Feeling lost in Chapter 3? 😵‍💫 If you’ve ever felt like your Research Methodology is just a collection of academic jargon you don't actually understand, this video is for you.

In Episode 17, we are peeling back the Saunders Research Onion to find your "Research Soul." We aren't just reading definitions; we are building a bulletproof foundation for your Viva. By the end of these 10 minutes, you’ll know exactly which "glasses" you're wearing and where you're standing as a researcher.

[Key Takeaways - The "GPS" markers]
📍 The Philosophy Layer: Are you a Scientist (Post-Positivist), an Artist (Constructivist), or an Activist?
📍 Etic vs. Emic: Are you the Outsider with the telescope or the Insider with the story? (And yes, you can be both!)
📍 The Logic Flow: Is your brain moving Deductively (Top-Down) or Inductively (Bottom-Up)?
📍 The Alignment Check: Why your thesis will collapse if your worldview doesn't match your

Binge-watch the series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL76RNp_9yA4HuQ5VE6B-LgyhKJyd0HxAs

Dr. Sanjana Rahman focuses on media effects and behavioural insights to drive positive social impact. She founded the Institute for Communications and Gamification Research, promoting innovative strategies in education and communication. Her award-winning game-based learning project reflects her commitment to transformative education, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals to empower communities through media, research, and practical, impactful communication solutions. Dr. Sanjana earned her PhD from Universiti Putra Malaysia.

13/05/2026

Feeling lost in Chapter 3? 😵‍💫 If you’ve ever felt like your Research Methodology is just a collection of academic jargon you don't actually understand, this video is for you.

In Episode 17, we are peeling back the Saunders Research Onion to find your "Research Soul." We aren't just reading definitions; we are building a bulletproof foundation for your Viva. By the end of these 10 minutes, you’ll know exactly which "glasses" you're wearing and where you're standing as a researcher.

[Key Takeaways - The "GPS" markers]
📍 The Philosophy Layer: Are you a Scientist (Post-Positivist), an Artist (Constructivist), or an Activist?
📍 Etic vs. Emic: Are you the Outsider with the telescope or the Insider with the story? (And yes, you can be both!)
📍 The Logic Flow: Is your brain moving Deductively (Top-Down) or Inductively (Bottom-Up)?
📍 The Alignment Check: Why your thesis will collapse if your worldview doesn't match your

Binge-watch the series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL76RNp_9yA4HuQ5VE6B-LgyhKJyd0HxAs

Dr. Sanjana Rahman focuses on media effects and behavioural insights to drive positive social impact. She founded the Institute for Communications and Gamification Research, promoting innovative strategies in education and communication. Her award-winning game-based learning project reflects her commitment to transformative education, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals to empower communities through media, research, and practical, impactful communication solutions. Dr. Sanjana earned her PhD from Universiti Putra Malaysia.

04/05/2026

Truth is under pressure… are you ready to respond?

In a world of deepfakes, AI-generated narratives, and hyper-polarised discourse, crisis communication is no longer reactive.. it’s strategic, psychological, and global.

Welcome to the 2nd Virtual ICOMGAM Innovation in Media and Communications Summit (IIMCS) 2026 — where theory meets the War Room.

- From AI & the “Zero-Truth” environment to ESG-driven crises
- Featuring panels on creator economy ethics & mental health in crisis comms
- Plus our flagship: The War Room Chronicles — real stories from the frontline

This isn’t just a conference. It’s where communication evolves.

📅 December 2026
🚨 Stay tuned — registrations opening soon.

03/05/2026

Stop guessing if your Research Questions are "right." Use the Mirror Rule. 🪞

"I don’t know if my questions are PhD level."
"My supervisor says my objectives are too weak."
"I feel like I’m just going in circles."

If you’ve said these things, you aren’t alone. Most researchers feel a deep sense of shame when they can’t "align" their study. But here is the truth: Alignment isn't a talent; it’s a technique.

In Episode 14 of the PhD Foundation Series, I’m peeling back the curtain on the 1-to-1 Mapping Technique.

Think of it this way:
📍 If your Problem Statement is the "Disease"...
📍 Your Research Questions (RQ) are the "Investigation"...
📍 And your Research Objectives (RO) are the "Treatment Plan."

If your treatment plan doesn't match the disease, the patient (your thesis) won't survive the Viva. 🛑

What you will learn in this session:
✅ The Mirror Rule: Why every RQ needs a matching RO (and how to spot a mismatch).
✅ Action Verbs that Command Respect: Why you should stop using "To understand" and start using "To evaluate" or "To synthesize."
✅ The 1:3 Rule: Balancing Descriptive vs. Inferential statistics so your data actually makes sense.
✅ The PhD Standard: How to move from a Masters-level "What" to a PhD-level "How and Why."

Stop feeling lost in the jargon. Let’s build your roadmap together.

📺 Watch the full breakdown: Link in Bio.

Which one are you struggling with more right now—writing the Question or choosing the right Action Verb for the Objective? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇

✨ About the Series:
Hosted by Dr. Sanjana Rahman, Founder of the Institute for Communications and Gamification Research. My mission is to turn complex research into practical, impactful solutions.

03/05/2026

Stop guessing if your Research Questions are "right." Use the Mirror Rule.

"I don’t know if my questions are PhD level."
"My supervisor says my objectives are too weak."
"I feel like I’m just going in circles."

If you’ve said these things, you aren’t alone. Most researchers feel a deep sense of shame when they can’t "align" their study. But here is the truth: Alignment isn't a talent; it’s a technique.

In Episode 14 of the PhD Foundation Series, I’m peeling back the curtain on the 1-to-1 Mapping Technique.

Think of it this way:
📍 If your Problem Statement is the "Disease"...
📍 Your Research Questions (RQ) are the "Investigation"...
📍 And your Research Objectives (RO) are the "Treatment Plan."

If your treatment plan doesn't match the disease, the patient (your thesis) won't survive the Viva. 🛑

What you will learn in this session:
✅ The Mirror Rule: Why every RQ needs a matching RO (and how to spot a mismatch).
✅ Action Verbs that Command Respect: Why you should stop using "To understand" and start using "To evaluate" or "To synthesize."
✅ The 1:3 Rule: Balancing Descriptive vs. Inferential statistics so your data actually makes sense.
✅ The PhD Standard: How to move from a Masters-level "What" to a PhD-level "How and Why."

Stop feeling lost in the jargon. Let’s build your roadmap together.

📺 Watch the full breakdown: Link in Bio.

Which one are you struggling with more right now.. writing the Question or choosing the right Action Verb for the Objective? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇

About the Series:
Hosted by Dr. Sanjana Rahman, Founder of the Institute for Communications and Gamification Research. My mission is to turn complex research into practical, impactful solutions.

02/05/2026

Stop guessing if your Research Questions are "right." Use the Mirror Rule. 🪞

"I don’t know if my questions are PhD level."
"My supervisor says my objectives are too weak."
"I feel like I’m just going in circles."

If you’ve said these things, you aren’t alone. Most researchers feel a deep sense of shame when they can’t "align" their study. But here is the truth: Alignment isn't a talent; it’s a technique.

In Episode 14 of the PhD Foundation Series, I’m peeling back the curtain on the 1-to-1 Mapping Technique.

Think of it this way:
📍 If your Problem Statement is the "Disease"...
📍 Your Research Questions (RQ) are the "Investigation"...
📍 And your Research Objectives (RO) are the "Treatment Plan."

If your treatment plan doesn't match the disease, the patient (your thesis) won't survive the Viva. 🛑

What you will learn in this session:
✅ The Mirror Rule: Why every RQ needs a matching RO (and how to spot a mismatch).
✅ Action Verbs that Command Respect: Why you should stop using "To understand" and start using "To evaluate" or "To synthesize."
✅ The 1:3 Rule: Balancing Descriptive vs. Inferential statistics so your data actually makes sense.
✅ The PhD Standard: How to move from a Masters-level "What" to a PhD-level "How and Why."

Stop feeling lost in the jargon. Let’s build your roadmap together.

📺 Watch the full breakdown: Link in Bio.

Which one are you struggling with more right now—writing the Question or choosing the right Action Verb for the Objective? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇

✨ About the Series:
Hosted by Dr. Sanjana Rahman, Founder of the Institute for Communications and Gamification Research. My mission is to turn complex research into practical, impactful solutions.

02/05/2026

Stop guessing if your Research Questions are "right." Use the Mirror Rule.

"I don’t know if my questions are PhD level."
"My supervisor says my objectives are too weak."
"I feel like I’m just going in circles."

If you’ve said these things, you aren’t alone. Most researchers feel a deep sense of shame when they can’t "align" their study. But here is the truth: Alignment isn't a talent; it’s a technique.

In Episode 4 of the PhD Foundation Series, I’m peeling back the curtain on the 1-to-1 Mapping Technique.

Think of it this way:
📍 If your Problem Statement is the "Disease"...
📍 Your Research Questions (RQ) are the "Investigation"...
📍 And your Research Objectives (RO) are the "Treatment Plan."

If your treatment plan doesn't match the disease, the patient (your thesis) won't survive the Viva.

What you will learn in this session:
✅ The Mirror Rule: Why every RQ needs a matching RO (and how to spot a mismatch).
✅ Action Verbs that Command Respect: Why you should stop using "To understand" and start using "To evaluate" or "To synthesize."
✅ The 1:3 Rule: Balancing Descriptive vs. Inferential statistics so your data actually makes sense.
✅ The PhD Standard: How to move from a Masters-level "What" to a PhD-level "How and Why."

Stop feeling lost in the jargon. Let’s build your roadmap together.

📺 Watch the full breakdown: Link in Bio.

Which one are you struggling with more right now.. writing the Question or choosing the right Action Verb for the Objective? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇

About the Series:
Hosted by Dr. Sanjana Rahman, Founder of the Institute for Communications and Gamification Research. My mission is to turn complex research into practical, impactful solutions.

02/05/2026

Stop hiding from your Theory Chapter. It’s not a monster—it’s your best friend.

Without an underpinning theory, your research is just a collection of random facts.

Many PhD students treat Theory like a scary monster they have to hide in the deep corners of Chapter 2. They feel ashamed because they don’t "get it" immediately, or they feel stressed trying to force a theory to fit a topic it wasn't made for.

We're here to guide you through the fog. In Day 5 of the PhD Foundation Series, We're showing you that your theory isn't a hurdle—it’s the "Skeleton" of your research. It’s the lens that helps you see the world clearly and the tool that convinces examiners your work is academically rigorous.

In this video, we are breaking down:

- The Logic: If your Problem Statement is the "Lock," your Underpinning Theory is the "Key."
- The 7 Traditions: Navigating the communication traditions to find where your study lives.
- Testing vs. Extending: Why I chose to extend Media System Dependency (MSD) Theory instead of just checking a box.
- Integration: How to make your theory flow through your entire thesis, not just one chapter.

Stop building on sand. Let's give your research the backbone it deserves.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Which theory are you currently leaning towards?
🔹 Social Cognitive Theory?
🔹 Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)?
🔹 Uses and Gratifications? or anything else?

Drop your choice in the comments! If you’re stuck between two, tell me your topic and I’ll help you find the "Key" that fits. 👇

30/04/2026

Ever feel like your research is accidentally playing favorites? If you're tired of your data reflecting only the loudest voices in the room, pull up a chair for the masterclass on inclusive research methods by Dr. Mastura Mahamed.

She’s on a mission to prove that true research isn't just about collecting numbers—it’s about ensuring that those often left in the margins actually get a seat at the table. From ditching the "convenience trap" to embracing the art of co-design, this session is your toolkit for turning "just another study" into a masterclass of social responsibility and genuine representation.

Grab your curiosity and join the conversation—because better research starts with a better mindset!

Watch Full Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgwIllw3LUc

1 like. "Research for Everyone: How to Move Beyond Biased Data and Marginalized Voices | Dr. Mastura Mahamed"

27/04/2026

Why Mondays are the "Literature Review" of the Week ☕📑

Did you know that Monday is named after the Moon (Mōnandæg)? It’s a bit fitting.. because, like the moon, most of us start the week reflecting light rather than generating it until the coffee kicks in.

In the world of research, Monday is essentially the "Abstract" of your week. You have a grand vision, a clear objective, and a strictly defined scope... ...at least until Tuesday’s "Methodology" starts breaking things.

But here’s the witty truth: Monday is the most productive day for breakthroughs. Why? Because after a weekend of subconscious processing, your brain is finally ready to stop "searching" and start "finding."

Let’s turn those Monday blues into a peer-reviewed success!