APR6035 - Advanced research methodologies in media, film and journalism - 2017

The unit explores some of the key research methodologies used in the fields of journalism, media studies and film studies. It considers the scholarly thesis as a genre and compares it with other advanced modes of writing. It also reflects on the non-traditional form of the doctorate required by the PhD Journalism and the scholarly exegesis this form requires. It provides an overview of expectations involved in a literature review and considers questions of ethics in higher degree research. The program will be adapted according to the thesis and/or journalism projects in the class, but the unit will consider literature reviews, quantitative and qualitative methodologies, the relation of research methodologies in the fields to those of adjacent disciplines such as history, politics, sociology and methodological questions in addressing testimony, memory, truth, visual representation and power.

At the satisfactory conclusion of the unit students should be able to:

1. demonstrate a sound understanding of the kinds of methodologies which can be applied in media, film and journalism;
2. analyse and expound the key ethical questions involved in scholarly or journalistic research;
3. participate effectively in collaborative learning activities at a sustained high level;
4. demonstrate a clear understanding of the relationship between theory, methodology and analysis in research;
5. demonstrate a clear understanding of the points of continuity and difference between scholarly research and research in journalism and other media fields;
6. identify the points of difference between journalistic and scholarly codes of ethics and prescribe when they respectively apply;
7. produce written work for assessment of a quality appropriate to doctoral studies.

Written Assessment 1 (500 words): 20%

Written Assessment 2 (2000 words): 40%

Written Assessment 3 (2000 words): 40%

2 hours class contact and 20 hours private study including online collaborative and written assessment tasks, per week.

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Deb Anderson

Off-campus students will have access to recordings of on-campus seminars and other electronic resources, and are required to be fully engaged in the online collaborative learning and assessment activities.