Course-Based Research Assignment: Diversity Analysis of the Student Newspaper (JOUR 534)

Abstract

The Diversity in Media class partnered with the University Daily Kansan during the fall 2019 semester to create a comprehensive research report regarding diversity in the campus newspaper. The ultimate goal was to create a strategic plan with advice for creating a more inclusive and representative publication for the university community.

The course is primarily designed as a conceptual class to teach future mass communicators best practices for portraying diverse communities in journalism, advertising and public relations. This research project allowed for real world analysis to enhance the in-class philosophical discussions regarding coverage of race, gender/sexuality, class, generation, culture, disability and religion.

Specifically, students engaged in three research methodologies: content analysis, interviews and focus groups. Students divided into teams and began by analyzing a semester’s worth (15 weeks) of Kansan coverage, specifically news, sports, photography, advertising, and social media, to generate quantitative data about the state of diversity in the Kansan.

Next, students engaged in interviews with 50 diverse individuals across campus to establish qualitative data about the perceptions of the state of diversity in the Kansan.

Finally, students hosted focus groups with 54 diverse individuals to collect data on ideas for improving coverage and relationships between the newspaper and diverse communities.

Therefore, a total of 104 people across campus served as research subjects for this report.

All data was combined into this research report that includes a strategic plan of recommendations and a marketing plan.

The file uploaded includes the project instructions.