RESEARCH METHODS FOR JOURNALISM

COMMS 308 FALL 2011

Course Objective: Journalism Research Methods is designed to give student journalists the skills to locate, interpret and analyze a broad variety of informational resources crucial to your success as a working journalist, including standard reference materials, public records, and Internet resources. You will learn and practice investigative journalism techniques and discover how to analyze and interpret commonly used data, including charts, reports and statistics often provided to journalists. Public records and other publicly available sources of information will be reviewed. A large component of the course will also focus on the practical applications of these search techniques by good reporters and editors. Course Description: This is a course designed to give specific methods of research and the application of that research in a journalism setting. As such, lecture and discussion will be a necessary component to the course. However, the course also requires hands-on 1

training. The course will cover all aspects needed for a thorough journalistic search, including:

Course outcomes 1. Students will be able to communicate effectively with their audiences. In particular, students will be able to: 4. Use appropriate research methods to answer relevant questions.

Basic numeracy. Preparing and executing a successful interview. Civic journalism techniques. Research in standard references and libraries. Online research in commercial and government databases, with an emphasis on the Internet and the World Wide Web. Manipulating newsworthy data, including the use of spreadsheets such as Excel. Public records in major governmental agencies, including those related to courts, local government and state government. Interpreting surveys and statistics.

2. Students will act professionally in their practice. In particular, students will be able to: 1. Practice communication within legal boundaries 2. Exhibit standards of professional behavior 3. Demonstrate sensitivity to the ethical issues of their practice 3. Students will be scholars of the mass communication process. In particular, students will be able to: 1. Apply relevant theory to communication practice Discussion/Lab Time: 220 Required Text: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-1:50 p.m. BRMB

The Investigative Reporters Handbook, Brant Houston, Len Bruzzese and Steve Weinberg, Fifth Edition, Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2009. Available on Blackboard Joel Campbell 2

Other readings Class Instructor

314 BRMB Office hours Phone E-mail in the subject line Mondays, 2-4 p.m. AND by appointment (801) 422-2125 or (801) 362-4298 (texts gladly accepted. Make sure you include your name.) foiguy@gmail.com. Please put Comms 308

Comms 308 rules to live by

1. Attendance is required

(I really shouldnt have to say this.) Attendance is required at all class sessions and labs. You are expected to attend class, take notes and participate in the class discussion. There will be in-class quizzes and other opportunities for attendance points. The only exceptions to attendance are those allowed by the university. You may miss one class period. Thereafter, 20 points will be deducted for every missed class.
2. Backup your stuff All students must have a thumb drive for use in the lab. Students are required to save all of their lab assignments on the drive and not on the lab computers hard drives. Please put a label on the drive with the following information: name, Comms 308, section number. Please keep the information until after final grades are posted. 3. Course courtesy Please turn off cell phones during lectures and labs. You will be docked 10 points for texting or speaking on the phone. Please avoid leaving lectures early and arriving late. 4. Grade issues

Please periodically view your grades on gradebook.byu.edu during the semester to check for missing grades and report them to your lab instructor. Please dont say at the end of the semester, I finally checked gradebook and see missing grades. That wont cut it. In order to meet grade deadlines, all missing grades must be reported to Prof. Campbell by the last day of class. Missing grades reported after that date will not be considered.
5. Professional Standard of behavior please read the entire policy on syllabus.byu.edu. Here is an important excerpt. Students who demonstrate consistently unprofessional behavior in class may also be dropped from his/her major or not allowed to apply in the first place. Examples of unprofessional behavior include but are not limited to excessive absences, disruptive behavior, sleeping in class, chronic tardiness,

reading non-course material during class, playing computer games and/or checking e-mail during class, use of cell phone or text messaging, and regularly leaving class early without making arrangements with the instructor. Deadlines The Department of Communications faculty have identified meeting deadlines as a significant learning outcome for this class. This learning outcome reflects the fact that the communications industries are deadlinedriven and that meeting deadlines is an essential component of this program. The content of this class is intended to help you be prepared for this demand of the work world. The Communications faculty have determined that in classes teaching to this learning outcome, such as this one, the ability to meet deadlines is essential and will not be waived, modified or accommodated, except in rare cases to be determined by the instructor. In deciding whether extra time will be given for an assignment in this class, the instructor will apply a professional standard such as whether an extension would be reasonable in a professional setting. Academic honesty and the honor code zero tolerance policy As both a BYU student and future communications professional, you are expected to adhere to high ethical standards, including the honor code. Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be reported to the appropriate department and university officials. Intentional plagiarism is a form of intellectual theft that is in violation of the Honor Code and may subject the student to appropriate disciplinary action administered through the University Honor Code Office, in addition to academic sanctions which may be applied by an instructor. BYU policy also requires compliance with state and federal copyright laws. As a journalist, it is unethical and dishonest to engage in activities such as inventing or changing quotes, or inventing sources, events or facts. Violation of this policy on any assignment, exam or quiz will result in an automatic failing grade in the class. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask the instructor or bring up the subject in class. Examples considered in violation of this policy: - Failure to properly cite quotes that did not come from an interview you personally conducted. In such cases you need to cite the name of the newspaper, magazine, Web site or reporter which conducted the interview. - Inventing sources, quotes, circumstances or any other facts in any homework or lab assignment. The only exception would be scenarios provided by an instructor for instructional purposes. - Plagiarizing information in assignments from any source including copying information from the Web, press releases, databases, books, newspapers, magazines, former and current communications students work or any other source. - Passing off work of others as your own for any assignment. This includes requesting others to gather information for an assignment on your behalf. - Using unauthorized sources including text, notes or newspapers to aid you in taking exams. - Sharing information given in class to reward those in attendance with those

who did not attend. - Having others sign in for you or forging a signature at extra credit events or on any class roll. - Unauthorized use of copyright protected work. Honor Code Standards Along with honesty in academic work, students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the universitys expectation, and my own expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards. Preventing Sexual Harassment Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds. The act is intended to eliminate sex discrimination in education and pertains to admissions, academic and athletic programs, and universitysponsored activities. Title IX also prohibits sexual harassment of students by university employees, other students, and visitors to campus. If you encounter sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please talk to your professor; contact the Equal Employment Office at 801-422-5895 or 1888-238-1062 (24-hours), or http://www.ethicspoint.com; or contact the Honor Code Office at 801-422-2847. Students with Disabilities If you have a disability that may affect your performance in this course, you should get in touch with the office of Services for Students with Disabilities (1520 WSC). This office can evaluate your disability and assist the professor in arranging for reasonable accommodations.

Earning your grade

Points about 900 points

Participation/Attendance 150 Labs -- 120 Quizzes 170 points Final reporting/research project100 points Exams 100 points Homework Assignments 260 points Extra Credit 20 points total for the semester ASSIGNMENT POINTS, DATE DUE Journalism Research Assignment 20 Final project proposal due 10 Midterm group project presentations and paper 50 5

Midterm exam, 50 Pedigree Chart due 10 CAR Assignment 20 Legislative Research Assignment 20 Draft of final project - consultation 10 Courts assignment -- 20 Final project due 100 Final exam -- 50, in testing center Grading scale Percent 95 90 86.33 83.33 80 76.33 73.33 70 Letter grade A AB+ B BC+ C C-

69.9 and below

E (No Ds given in the course)

Comms 308 Homework Assignments Fall 2011 Journalism Research Assignment Read a journalistic research report found on the IRE Web site (http://www.ire.org/extraextra/) and answer the following questions: What interview (human) sources were used? What secondary sources were used? What primary sources were used? What public documents were used? Is there any evidence that some computer was used to manipulate or analyze data? What obstacles do you believe the journalists have to overcome to prepare the report? What photographs or graphics were used to illustrate or highlight the report? What questions do you still have after reading the report? Are there holes in the research or questionable logic?

You have been assigned to write a story for tomorrows paper or tonights newscast about the proposed city budget. Using the tools you learned in the Excel lab, please answer the following questions using the City Budget (citybud.xls) file under Ho mework Assignments on Blackboard. Which department will have the largest budget increase in terms of percentage increase? Which department will have the largest budget increase in terms of dollars increase? Which will have the lowest increase in terms of percentage increase? Which will have the lowest increase in terms of dollars increase? Which department will have the largest slice of the city budget next year? Which department will have the smallest slice of the city budget next year? Which is the biggest revenue source in the city? Develop five questions that you would ask about the numbers to flesh out your story. Write a simple broadcast or print story based on the numbers.

Final Project Proposal Handout will be given in class. CAR Assignment 7

Pedigree Chart Complete and submit a fourgeneration pedigree chart with all available names, dates and information. Group Project Background legislators We will divide up Utah lawmakers among groups. We will begin to build a database of the following items for each legislator. 1. Name and address 2. Property records 3. Business filings 4. Court filings 5. Conflict of interest forms 6. Lobbyist expenditures 7. News search news profile 8. Non-profit participation 9. Others as we discover Legislative Research Assignment. Interim Days. Sept. 21, Oct. 18, Nov. 16. http://le.utah.gov/interim/2011/pdf/interi m.2011.pdf Visit Capitol and complete the following. COMMS 308 LEGISLATIVE WORKSHEET 1. Pick up a legislative directory, if available. 2. Identify the issue you want to cover and attend the hearing.

3. Record the names of the committee members. Later identify which city or area of the state they represent either through a printed legislative directory or online. 4. Identify all who testified to the committee and committee members who spoke. 5. Take notes about the testimony and discussion on the issue. Write a 300-word news story summarizing what happened either in print style or broadcast style. 6. As you did in lab, identify earlier attempts to address the issue. Find a bill from either the 2010 or 2011 General sessions that addressed the issue. Research one of these previous bills related to the topic and record all of the committee and floor votes. Describe if the vote was split along party lines or created other issues of conflict. 7. Find at least two articles from local news organizations archives that you could use as background in covering todays hearing. List the headlines and date of publication. 11. Courts assignment Sept. 27, Before you attend a court hearing: Review the court calendar for cases being heard during the time you will be attending. Make a note of the courtroom room number. 8

http://www.utcourts.gov/cgibin/cal/display.cgi?fn=11 Go to the courthouse. Dress up and dont take in your cell phone or backpacks. Take in a pen and notepad. Note the clerks desk as you go in the building. Utah County - Provo District Court 125 North 100 West Provo, UT 84601 If you are listening to a morning law and motion calendar, take notes of the name of calendar number and/or defendant. Take notes on the judges order or on testimony given. Return to the courts at the end of November and review the case file. The assignment is due Document the following from a criminal Utah Courts case: Case No.: Name, address and age of defendant: Name of prosecuting or district attorneys office: Summary of probable cause statement: Charges filed including how many counts of charge(s): Name of judge hearing the case: Amount of bail: Amount of jail or prison time ( if any): Length of probation (if any): Amount of fine (if any): Notes of any other penalty:

LAB 2: Treasure Hunt

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE COMMS 308

You must be on time and attend lab to receive credit. No makeups are allowed unless you make special arrangements with Prof. Campbell before you miss class. You may miss one class. Thereafter, you will lose 20 points per class for not attending. You must attend class to receive participation points and quiz points As indicated in the syllabus, the Prof. Campbell reserves the right to not give credit if you leave early or arrive late to lab or class. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE Week 1 Introduce syllabus Please read Investigative Reporters Handbook, introduction v-x, and Chapter 1, pages 3-18 Week 2 Course Introduction Research methods as tools for journalists. Paul Williams Way Reading for quiz: IRH introduction v-x, and Chapter 1, pages 3-18. LAB 1: Dissect an investigation Week 3 Secondary sources Reading for quiz: IRH Chapter 2, pages 19-33 10

Final Project

Week 4 Primary documents Reading for quiz: IRH Chapter 3, pages 34-52 Public Records Access GRAMA, FOIA Group Project Introduction Final Introduction Start work on group projects LAB 3: Local beat coverage Week 5 Visit the Courthouse, Tuesday Sept. 27. VISIT COURTHOUSE Here is a Fourth District court calendar http://www.utcourts.gov/cgibin/cal/display.cgi?fn=11 Investigating the Judicial System Reading for quiz: IRH Chapter 10, pages 179-213 ASSIGNMENT: Journalism Research LAB 4: FOIA,GRAMA Week 6 Investigating the Legislative and Executive Branch Campaign Finance How a bill becomes a law Reading for quiz: IRH Chapter 9, pages 152-173 LAB 5: Legislative lab Week 7 Spreadsheets Numeracy Computer Assisted Reporting Reading for quiz: IRH Chapter 4, pages 53-66 LAB 6: Excel lab I, PDF to text

ASSIGNMENT: Final project proposal

ASSIGNMENT: CAR Assignment Week 12 Surveys Non-profits Reading for quiz: Chapter 10 LAB 10: Non-profit Lab, Final project lab

Week 8 Visit Legislature, Wednesday, Oct. 19 Interviewing Online reading: Loosening Lips Backgrounding an Individual Reading for quiz: IRH Chapter 5, pages 67-87 LAB 7: Excel Lab II, midterm presentations ASSIGNMENT: Legislative Research Week 9 Midterm Group Presentations ASSIGNMENT: Team paper Midterm Exam Review Midterm exam in Testing Center Week 10 Surveys Demographics Reporting Diversity Blackboard Reading for quiz: Surveys and polls LAB 8: Survey/Census lab ASSIGNMENT: Pedigree Chart Due Week 11 Investigating Law Enforcement Reading for quiz: IRH Chapter 11, 218-255 LAB 9: Family History Lab 11

Week 13 No formal class, meet in scheduled consultations Final Project Draft Consultations w/ Prof. Campbell ASSIGNMENT: Courts Assignment due LAB 11: Work on final projects. Week 14 Ethics Civic Journalism Investigating Education Reading for quiz: Tapping Civic Life (online) and IRH Chapter 11, 261-293 LAB 12: Work on final project Final In Testing Center Final Project due