Module: Research Methods and Sources for Journalists

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Research Methods and Sources for Journalists
Module Code	MCO1075
Faculty	Communications	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

Research for Journalists teaches foundational research skills to prepare students to undertake their Masters projects or dissertations. The five-credit module aims to help students conceptualise a final project or dissertation, conduct initial research, select an appropriate research method or media format, and devise a proposal for their final work. 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. The module also aims to develop students’ critical research literacy: the ability to understand how research is routinely conducted and how that research be analysed and critiqued. The work undertaken in Research Methods and Sources for Journalists lays the groundwork for the final Project/Dissertation module that students will go on to produce over the autumn period.

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 dissertations

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	12	6 x 2hr lectures
Class Presentation	12	No Description
Independent Study	101	Readings, preparation of proposal, presentation preparation.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11919	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale		Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category		Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator		Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Research problem and annotated bibliography OR Research Problem and Review of Similar Stories This exact form will depend on whether students select a practical project or a dissertation. Either way, a research “problem” is needed, and an approx. 1500-word review of work related/similar to the proposed idea. Details to come.	30%	Week 6
Presentation	In-class presentation and feedback to other classmates: All students must give a presentation on their planned work. Separately, they must provide feedback to two other classmates following their presentations.	10%	As required
Assignment	Research proposal: This is a 3000-word proposal for the project/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

Week 1 - Introduction – outline of the module

Week 2 - Formulating a research/project “problem”

Week 3 - Conducting a Literature Review/Survey of Similar Stories; Academic interviews

Week 4 - Video documentary and Content Analysis

Week 5 - Thematic analysis and Photojournalism project

Week 6 - Focus groups, Radio documentary, Features series

Week 8 - Reading Week

Weeks 8-12 - student presentations and feedback

Reading list
For dissertations:

- Booth, W.C., Colomb, G.G., and Williams, J.M. 2008. The Craft of Research. 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. [This book is available as an e-book in the DCU Library.]

- Bauer, M.W. and Gaskill, G. (eds.) 2000. Qualitative Researching With Text, Image and Sound: A Practical Handbook for Social Research. London: Sage. [This book is available as an e-book in the DCU Library.]

- Messenger, Davies, Maire, and Nick Mosdell. Practical Research Methods for Media and Cultural Studies : Making People Count, Edinburgh University Press, 2006. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.dcu.idm.oclc.org/lib/dcu/detail.action?docID=267208. [This book is available as an e-book in the DCU Library.]

For projects:

- Blundell, W.E 1988. The Art and Craft of Feature Writing. New York: Penguin Random House.

- Stewart, P. and Alexander, R. 2021. Broadcast Journalism: Techniques of Radio and Television News. 8th edition. Abington: Routledge. This is the most recent version of this book. Other editions are available in the DCU library.

- Booth, W.C., Colomb, G.G., and Williams, J.M. 2008. The Craft of Research. 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. (Chapters 3 and 4) [This book is available as an e-book in the DCU Library.]

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None