Module Details

Module Code: JOUR C3804
Module Title: Data Journalism
Title: Data Journalism
Module Level:: 7
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Myles Kelly
Module Author:: Eleanor OLeary
Domains:  
Module Description: Data journalism skills are vital in today’s media. Creators and journalists across multiple industries need to be able to understand and interpret data like analytics, and then be able to convey these insights to audiences while maintaining high professional standards. This module’s aim is to provide students with the skills necessary to work with various forms of data to produce compelling, well-sourced reports and stories. It brings together the technical, ethical and cultural dimensions of data journalism to enable students to gain a clear understanding of data journalism’s important role in the contemporary media landscape.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Students will learn the fundamentals of good journalistic practice
LO2 Students will learn how to use the techniques and tools required for data news gathering, verification and writing
LO3 Students will develop the ability to pitch their work and to deliver briefs to a professional standard
LO4 Students will develop the technical and storytelling skills necessary to utilise social media, data sets and analytics as news sources
LO5 Students will gain insight into the professional, technical and ethical dimensions of data journalism in the modern media.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Essential elements of data journalism
Accessing data sets - finding stories in data - interpreting statistics - using freedom of information requests (FOIs)
Fundamentals of writing for the web
SEO-informed writing practice - the inverted pyramid - visual languages - digital storytelling
Data visualisation
Info-graphs - charts - Canva - storytelling through digital images
Social Media as A Source
Finding stories - verification techniques - fact-checking - trend analysis - analytics - ethics and integrity
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Project100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Portfolio % of Total Mark 100
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Students develop a portfolio of work over the term utilizing case studies and generating assessment documentation such as briefs, articles, social media posts and blogs.
No Project
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.
Reassessment Description
Final Project: Portfolio of Work

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact lab and classroom based delivery Every Week 3.00 3
Independent Learning Time Non Contact Reading, research and writing Every Week 6.00 6
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Bounegru, L. and Gray, J., 2021. The Data Journalism Handbook: Towards a Critical Data Practice, [ISBN: 978-946298951].
  • Bradshaw, P., 2013.. The online journalism handbook: Skills to survive and thrive in the digital age, [ISBN: 978-113879156].
  • Felle, T., Mair, J. and Radcliffe, D., . 2015. Data Journalism: Inside the global future, [ISBN: 978-184549663].
  • Filak, V.F., 2020.. Dynamics of news reporting and writing: foundational skills for a digital age, [ISBN: 978-150634474].
  • Dewdney, A. and Ride, P., 2013. The digital media handbook, [ISBN: 978-041569989].
  • Houston, B., 2018.. Data for journalists: a practical guide for computer-assisted reporting, [ISBN: 978-081537034].
  • Witschge, T., Anderson, C.W., Domingo, D. and Hermida, A. eds., 2016.. The SAGE Handbook of Digital Journalism, [ISBN: 978-147390653].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
Discussion Note: