LT238-6-SP-CO:
Research and Data Handling
2024/25
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
15
21 August 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module aims to support students develop advanced skills in research and investigation as journalists and researchers.
It will also give them confidence in handling sophisticated statistics-based stories, learning about research methods and engaging with flagship debates around data, artificial intelligence and the impact on the journalistic practice. The module gives special attention to the forms and meanings of data driven journalism.
The aim of this module is:
- To give you sophisticated research capabilities and equip you with the skills you need to find, assess and report stories to be found in big data and through social networks.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Conduct advanced searches of the internet and other sources.
- Understand how to look for stories in big data, how to interrogate data and find the hidden stories they have to tell.
- Handle statistics and numbers with confidence and due scepticism.
- Understand how to use social networks as a means of finding and reporting stories.
- Understand how to use the FOI Act to extract information and source stories.
- Develop creative techniques for the presentation of data-based stories in different media.
Indicative syllabus
- An introduction module’s topics, themes and assignments. Presentation of main critical notions with examples from national and international media.
- Research methods (1): Introduction to main qualitative and quantitative methods such as structured interviews, participant observations and content analysis.
- Research methods (2): Introduction to survey, how to generate quantitative data and how to make sense of statistics for accurate journalism.
- Research methods (3): How to develop a research plan; preparation and mentorship for students’ assignments.
- Research in journalism. Accessing information, including the use of FoI (Freedom of information) and subject access request and researching social media platforms (guest talk).
- Data visualisation and its use in storytelling (guest talk).
- Data journalism; challenges and opportunities: Introduction to main concepts and examples from collaborative global investigative journalism.
- Data journalism in the age of post truth: When big data is a tool of repression, bias and discrimination. Examples from current affairs.
This module will be delivered via:
- Weekly two-hour lectures/classes.
This module does not appear to have any essential texts. To see non - essential items, please refer to the module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
750 word article/script (individual) |
04/04/2025 |
30% |
| Coursework |
750 word reflective commentary on the research plan (individual) |
04/04/2025 |
30% |
| Coursework |
1500 word research plan (group work) |
04/04/2025 |
40% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Fatima El Issawi, email: feliss@essex.ac.uk.
No
No
No
Prof Jairo Alfonso Lugo-Ocando
College of Communication, University of Sharjah, UAE
Dean and Professor of Journalism
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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