57071 Journalism Research Project Part A

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Journalism
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): 57011 Research and Reporting for Journalism AND 57012 Regulation of the Media AND 57013 Journalism Studies

Handbook description

Students produce an original piece of supervised scholarly research in media studies relevant to journalism, the specific topic to be agreed between the student and supervisor. This research is written up and analysed in a thesis of approximately 12,000-15,000 words. Normally this subject is taken as an alternative to the combination of Journalism Professional Project and Journalism Studies Project by students wishing to further their studies with a higher degree by research. Part-time students enrol in this subject in two semesters to complete the required 16 credit points of which this subject forms the first part.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

Develop and finalise a reading program that draws on appropriate academic literature in the area of Journalism Studies.
Identify a key issue in Journalism Studies that lends itself to further investigation, analysis and discussion in a research thesis.
Develop a case study that tests out existing ideas in Journalism Studies via an empirical examination of an aspect of the selected research topic (i.e. a study of a representative instance of your research question).
Analyse, synthesise and integrate ideas gained from academic sources, as well as your own ideas, into a well-argued and appropriately formatted and referenced thesis on the chosen issue.

Contribution to graduate profile

On completion of the subject, students will:

Have strong research and reporting skills and be able to effectively retrieve and analyse information from a range of sources
Have knowledge and critical understanding of the media
Be equipped with the necessary skills to either enter professional practice in the media or continue with additional skills and intellectual depth
Have a knowledge of the historical, philosophical, ethical and cultural foundations underpinning journalism and strive to promote the important role of professional and ethical journalism in the service of the public
Have an understanding of the role of the media in local. regional, national and global contexts
Have a understanding of the relationships between media theory and practice
Have a critical understanding of the relationships between technology, professionalism and social change and be able to adapt their professional skills to future change and to new production challenges
Have a critical understanding of issues of gender, race, ethnicity, disability and class and the way these are linked to issues of media presentation, production and reception
Understand the role the media has played in the dispossession of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the importance of the role the media can play in the reconciliation process and bringing justice to all communities
Develop the ability to be self-reliant and pro-active, flexible and innovative
Have an understanding and commitment to ethical journalism practice and a commitment to life-long learning in journalism professional.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject will develop your ability to write about the literature, analytical categories and key research topics in Australian Journalism Studies. It also seeks to enhance your critical analytical and essay-writing skills to the point where you will feel confident in evaluating and engaging with scholarly arguments. The seminars provide an opportunity for students to discuss key issues in Journalism Studies, familiarise themselves with the requirements of academic writing, and develop and discuss their projects with other students. Individual supervision involves one-to-one meetings with the subject coordinator to discuss work-in-progress and deal with any problems encountered during the research and writing process. The subject co-ordinator will schedule individual supervision meetings. You need to prepare a work agenda for each meeting and email it to the subject coordinator on the day before it takes place in order to ensure that the necessary resources or advice can be provided. Suggested agenda items include: Getting started? Recommended reading? Refining my topic? Developing my argument?

Content

The following topics will be covered in the seminars. In terms of Australian Journalism Studies, we will take an overview of the area, identify some key researchers and recent research projects/findings, explore some of key categories and look at what the experts have to say on topics selected by students. In terms of academic skills development, there will be an introduction to academic writing and the research process, discussion of different types of research design, and exploration of different essay structures and argumentation strategies.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Seminar report on the research design

Objectives	a, b, c
Value	50%
Due	27 March
Word limit	2,000-2,500 words
Task	To compile a written report on the student's work-in-progress that includes the research question, a one-par explanation of the main argument, one-par explanation of research method, and an annotated bibliography of 12-15 academic sources that will be used to develop the argument in the research essay. The annotations should include a brief evaluation of sources, including the identification of links between scholars, issues and debates as well as a brief judgement about the quality of the research (see Putnis and Petelin 1999, p. 347). Please note: Successful completion of this task requires student attendance at and participation in the seminar on research design.
Assessment criteria	Research skills: evidence of systematic reading that leads to an appropriate selection of a research topic, research method and supporting bibliography. Critical analysis: evidence of systematic reflection about and scrutiny of the ideas and arguments found in the chosen texts that leads a cogent explanation of the research topic and research method as well as a list of bibliographical annotations that briefly describe and evaluate each academic source. Effective communication: evidence of systematic and timely writing process that leads to the presentation and discussion in class of a well-organised report that is appropriately structured, edited, formatted and referenced.

Assessment item 2: Case study — progress report

Objectives	a, b, c
Value	50%
Due	5 June
Word limit	3,500-4,000 words
Task	To compile a written progress report on the case study that includes a statement of the questions that guided the empirical research, an explanation of choice of data collection and data analysis methods/criteria, an outline of the data collected, and an overview of the main findings. Make sure you include reference to the theoretical perspective that informs the study. You may also want to mention/discuss unresolved issues to be taken up in the second part of the project next semester.
Assessment criteria	Research skills: evidence of systematic reading and reflection that leads to an appropriate and well-designed case study. Critical analysis: evidence of effective data collection and analysis that leads to a cogent account of the case study rationale, research process and key findings. Effective communication: evidence of systematic and timely documentation of the case study that leads to the presentation of a well-organised progress report that is appropriately formatted, edited and referenced.

Minimum requirements

Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, students are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. Should students experience difficulties fulfilling this requirement, they are advised to contact their lecturer. Students who have a valid reason for extended absence from class (e.g. illness) may be required to complete additional assignment work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives. All assessment tasks must be completed and submitted and a satisfactory level overall achieved to pass the subject.

Indicative references

Topic 1 - Introduction to Australian Journalism Studies research

What is academic writing? How can I choose a topic in Journalism Studies that lends itself to analysis? How can I plan and structure the reading, writing and analytical process to achieve a well-argued essay? What is an annotated bibliography and why is it an important research resource?

Reading:
Putnis, P & Petelin, R. 1999, 'Writing in an academic context' in their Professional communication: Principles and applications, Sydney, Prentice Hall, pp. 333-380.

Further reading:
Allan, S. 2005, Journalism: Critical issues, Berkshire UK, Open University Press, pp. 1-15.

McNair, B. 2005, 'What is journalism?' in Making journalists, ed. H. de Burgh, Oxon, UK, Routledge, pp. 25-43.

Franklin, B., Hamer, M., Hanna, M, Kinsey, M. and Richardson, J. 2005, Key concepts in Journalism Studies, London, Sage.

Iorio, S. 2004, 'Qualitative case study methods in newsroom research and reporting' in her Taking to the streets—Qualitative research in journalism, Mahwah, NJ, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, pp. 59-92. [UTS Library has an electronic copy]

Ewart, J. 2004, 'Challenging journalists' thinking about their role and journalism', Australian Journalism Review, 26(2), pp. 99-113.

Kirkpatrick, R. 2002, 'The glory of the revelator: Historical documents as a resource' in Journalism: Investigation and research, ed. S. Tanner, Sydney, Longman, pp. 134-149.

Fogg, C. 2005, Release the hounds: A guide to research for journalists and writers, Sydney, Allen & Unwin, pp. 168-190 (on databases, directories and search engines).

Dobinson, G. 2003, 'Australian journalism research index 1992 – 2002', Australian Studies in Journalism, no. 13, pp. 268-356.

Topic 2 - Designing the research

What are some key projects and analytical categories in the Australian research field? How can my research project build on and develop existing knowledge? How can I generate research questions and hypotheses from my background reading? How do I select and explain my choice of a research method?

Reading:
Herbert, J. 2003, 'Industry and academics: we need each other's research', Australian Journalism Review, 25(2), pp. 189-205.

Bromley, M. 2006, 'How good is journalism research?' Australian Journalism Review, 28(1), pp. 211-217.

Further reading:
Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA). (2001). Sources of news and current affairs. Retrieved 20 February 2007, from http://www.aba.gov.au/ newspubs/ radio_TV/ research.shtml

Australian Centre for Independent Journalism, news/Worthy—How the Australian media cover humanitarian, aid and development issues, Retrieved 20 February 2007, from www.ausaid.gov.au/ publications/ pdf/ newsworthy.pdf

Australian Press Council 2006, State of the News Print Media in Australia Report 2006, Retrieved 20 February 2007, from http://www.presscouncil.org.au/ snpma/ snpma_index.html

Bromley, M. 2006, 'How good is journalism research?' Australian Journalism Review, 28(1), pp. 211-217.

Collins, S. & Rose, J. 2004, 'Case study: City Voice, an alternative to the corporate model', Pacific Journalism Review, 10(2), pp. 32-45.

Ewart, J., Meadows, M., Forde, S. & Foxwell, K. 2005, 'Media matters: ways to link community radio and community newspapers', Australian Journalism Review, 27(2), pp. 87-103.

Jacka, E. 2003, 'Democracy as defeat—The importance of arguments for public service broadcasting, Television & New Media, 4(2), pp. 171-199.

Knight, A. 2003, 'Globalised journalism in the Internet Age', E-journalist, v.3, no.2, Retrieved 20 February 2007, from http://www.ejournalism.au.com/ ejournalist/knightr.pdf

Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance 2007, 'Official spin—Censorship and control of the Australian press 2007', Retrieved 5 July 2007, from http://www.alliance.org.au/ sections/ media/ 2007-press-freedom-report.html

University of the Sunshine Coast 2006, Responding to Cronulla: Rethinking multiculturalism—A National Symposium, Retrieved 20 February 2007, from http://www.usc.edu.au/ NR/ rdonlyres/ F22784F0-05D0-45E1-B984-B75A7F1D2467/0/ CronullaSymposiumProceedingsFinal.pdf

Academic skills development:
UTS Library Online Tutorials 2007, Information Research Skills, Databases, Endnote, STAR, Citation Searching, Retrieved 20 February 2007, from http://www.lib.uts.edu.au/ information/ online_tutorials

Bronwyn Becker, Patrick Dawson, Karen Devine, Carla Hannum, Steve Hill, Jon Leydens, Debbie Matuskevich, Carol Traver, & Mike Palmquist 2005, 'Case Studies', Writing@CSU. Colorado State University Department of English, Retrieved 20 February 2007, from http://writing.colostate.edu/ guides/ research/ casestudy/

Topic 3 - Essay structures and argumentation strategies

What do the experts have to say on my research question? How do I discuss their ideas in a literature review? What new evidence am I offering in response to this question? How do I indicate its relevance and significance?

Reading:
Simons, M. 2006, 'The Gallery: Insular, intrusive or indispensable?', Speech to The Sydney Institute, February 2006, Retrieved 20 February 2007, from www.margaretsimons.com.au/ Web_Site_Documents/ Margaret_Simons-Speech_to_Sydney_Institute_(1Feb2006).pdf

Nolan, S. 2003, 'Journalism online: the search for narrative form in a multilinear world, retrieved 20 February 2007, from http://hypertext.rmit.edu.au/ dac/ papers/ Nolan.pdf

Wallace, T. 2002, 'Lachlan Murdoch: Black-tie champion of the common man?', Retrieved 20 February 2007, from http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/ view.asp?article=1097

Academic skills development:
UTS Library Study Guides 2007, 'Developing an argument', Retrieved 20 February 2007, from http://www.lib.uts.edu.au/ information/ referencing_and_writing/ developing_an_argument

Other resources

Research resources

The major readings for this subject are available either in Closed Reserve at the UTS Markets Library or online. The very large research report documents should be downloaded at the discretion of each student depending on her/his research interests and priorities. All journal articles can be accessed as PDF files via APAIS database, available through the UTS Library. The UTS Library also contains a wide range of material in the Journalism, Media and Communication Studies' areas including books, journals and newspapers. You can check the range of material by looking at the list of subject headings on Journalism in the on-line catalogue. Alternatively, you can scan the shelves in the 070 and 300-330 sections. A third alternative is to start with the journals, accessed either by direct link to the journal via the catalogue or by using a journal database via the 'Finding info' menu on the UTS Library homepage: APAIS covers Australian journals, Academic Search Elite for overseas.

The following journals and newsletters are relevant and worth keeping an eye on: Journalism Studies; Journalism: Theory Practice and Criticism; Australian Studies in Journalism; Australian Journalism Review; American Journalism Review (online); Global Media and Communication; Colombia Journalism Review; Online Journalism Review; Asia Pacific Media Educator; Media International Australia; Media, Culture and Society; Australian Journal of Communication; European Journal of Communication; Journalism and Mass Communications Quarterly; Critical Studies in Mass Communication; Communications Law Bulletin.