Module: Research for Journalists

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Research for Journalists
Module Code	JRR1021 (ITS: CM3014)
Faculty	Communications	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

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

Section Breakdown
CRN	10866	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Dawn Wheatley	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment 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; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None