Module: Research for Journalists

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Research for Journalists
Module Code	CM3014 (ITS) / JRR1021 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Communications
Module Co-ordinator	Dawn Wheatley
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only
Students must submit a new or substantially-revised annotated bibliography or comparisons and models report.

Description

Research for Journalists prepares students to undertake their final-year projects or dissertations. The module will introduce students to the common research methods that underpin undergraduate dissertations and in-depth journalism. The module will take the form of weekly classes that will cover the research skills of identifying topics and problems, reviewing previous studies and journalism, finding models and exemplars for their work, recognising and evaluating advanced journalistic research skills, as well as recognising and evaluating various research methods in the humanities and social sciences.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify advanced research methods for journalism
2. Identify foundational research methods in the humanities and social sciences
3. Identify and evaluate problems that are suitable for research or journalistic examination
4. Recognise the elements of project management
5. Analyse examples of advanced journalism
6. Analyse examples of undergraduate dissertations
7. Prepare a proposal for a substantial journalistic project or academic dissertation

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Independent Study	103	No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Identifying a topic and problem for projects and dissertations

Identifying models and exemplars for projects and dissertations

Reviewing earlier studies and previous journalism

Advanced research skills: Academic sources

Advanced research skills: Digital tools

Advanced research skills: Databases, repositories, archives, company documents

Research method 1: Qualitative interviews

Research method 2: Case studies

Research method 3: Analysing media content

Research method 4: Surveys

Project management

Review and next steps

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	a.) Students planning a dissertation will produce a research problem and an annotated bibliography of 1,500 words. b.) Students planning a project will produce a research problem for journalism and a 1,500-word report on “comparisons and models”.	40%	Week 5
Assignment	Students will write a 3,000-word proposal for their project or dissertation.	60%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

William E. Blundell: 1988, The Art and Craft of Feature Writing, Plume, New York,
Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M.Williams: 2008, The Craft of Research, 3rd, Chicago University Press, Chicago,

Other Resources

None