Another academic year has come and gone at the University of Northern Colorado, which was full of new research efforts by graduate and undergraduate students and professors.
As I conclude my blogging and writing on UNC research, I also reflect on my time in the journalism and mass communications program thus far.
Though I have at least one semester left, I think I have made significant progress in the journalism field thanks to the JMC program.
I have kept a 4.0 within the major, pending solid grades from this semester, and have become editor of the student-run newspaper, The Mirror. I have taken a wide variety of courses, dealing with topics such as history of journalism to public relations to newswriting.
One area I think the program should emphasize more in teaching is the art of interviewing. Many students - including myself, to some extent - may be unclear on which questions to ask, which angles to take on a story, or which tactics are helpful for the student and subject to be open and comfortable with each other.
As the journalism profession changes and newsrooms become smaller, I know only the top students have a shot of finding a well-paying job that will ensure a spot in the field after graduation. With my continued studies and dedication, I hope I can achieve that plateau.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Research rampant as semester wraps up
As the semester comes to a close, more UNC faculty and students have embarked on the path toward bettering the world through university research. As the semester draws to a close, a number of research-based items of note have occurred in recent weeks:
A study by a university psychology professor is currently underway to explore the relation between marijuana usage and student knowledge retention and lethargy. Study organizers are calling out to students who regularly use the recreation drug, and promise discretion.
Clearly, this study topic is highly controversial (and in some aspects, illegal). Because of this, I am considering writing about it for my investigative story.
The continuing research of University of Northern Colorado mathematics professor Igor Szczyrba and colleagues on brain trauma in football has received national attention.
UNC students partook in Research Day April 7 and showcased their studies of the last year.
Students entered projects in seven categories: oral research excellence, poster research, honors program theses, McNair Scholars theses, biological sciences, oral research and poster.
A new Office of Undergraduate Research has been opened at UNC, giving undergraduate students support and advising systems for their fields of study.
In the last month, research has seemingly been a priority for UNC members, as new breakthroughs and groups focus on developing science and understanding.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Research writing reflection
Meaningful and insightful research conducted at the University of Northern Colorado is more prominent than some may think.
This I discovered while writing for my university research beat as part of my Advanced News and Feature Writing journalism class.
So far, I have written two stories: a day-in-the-life on students and a professor performing chemistry research and a profile on a professor, Mark Riddle, who will publish two articles in "The SAGE Handbook of Social Network Analysis."
The thing I like most about my beat thus far is the understanding I am gaining on the subject of research and how it is conceptualized and enacted. Though not every study is groundbreaking and affecting scientific communities, each instance provides valuable experience for students and professors and could be one step closer to the next major discovery.
However, there is a downside to this equation. It occasionally can be hard to find story ideas on those who are doing research when the majority of the campus is more education-based. Sometimes it's also difficult to understand what these individuals are trying to explain.
I think I'm being descriptive and informational in my story telling, which makes it easier for the reader to comprehend. I also think I am acquiring adequate information. To improve, I think I need to learn to condense my information and perhaps ask more in-depth questions.
This I discovered while writing for my university research beat as part of my Advanced News and Feature Writing journalism class.
So far, I have written two stories: a day-in-the-life on students and a professor performing chemistry research and a profile on a professor, Mark Riddle, who will publish two articles in "The SAGE Handbook of Social Network Analysis."
The thing I like most about my beat thus far is the understanding I am gaining on the subject of research and how it is conceptualized and enacted. Though not every study is groundbreaking and affecting scientific communities, each instance provides valuable experience for students and professors and could be one step closer to the next major discovery.
However, there is a downside to this equation. It occasionally can be hard to find story ideas on those who are doing research when the majority of the campus is more education-based. Sometimes it's also difficult to understand what these individuals are trying to explain.
I think I'm being descriptive and informational in my story telling, which makes it easier for the reader to comprehend. I also think I am acquiring adequate information. To improve, I think I need to learn to condense my information and perhaps ask more in-depth questions.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Research and Blogging 101
The amount and importance of research being conducted at the University of Northern Colorado is often overlooked.
Among the major universities in Colorado, UNC is sometimes looked down upon as a school for students who weren't accepted to any other institution. This could be because of the school's high acceptance rate at 92 percent.
Despite this, UNC members are conducting a wide variety of research in topics that affect a worldwide audience. For example, Stephen Mackessy recently received nationwide news coverage over his ongoing work with snake venom that could potentially be used to cure cancer.
The purpose of this blog is to continue to detail the accounts of these individuals looking to better the community and the world with their findings through research at UNC.
Though I have never written a blog before, I look forward to the opportunity and the chance to learn new mediums of journalism and better my writing. With a blog, I have the ability to reach a much larger audience than at a newspaper, but it may see a smaller readership as it competes with popular blogs on an internet already cluttered with information.
Among the major universities in Colorado, UNC is sometimes looked down upon as a school for students who weren't accepted to any other institution. This could be because of the school's high acceptance rate at 92 percent.
Despite this, UNC members are conducting a wide variety of research in topics that affect a worldwide audience. For example, Stephen Mackessy recently received nationwide news coverage over his ongoing work with snake venom that could potentially be used to cure cancer.
The purpose of this blog is to continue to detail the accounts of these individuals looking to better the community and the world with their findings through research at UNC.
Though I have never written a blog before, I look forward to the opportunity and the chance to learn new mediums of journalism and better my writing. With a blog, I have the ability to reach a much larger audience than at a newspaper, but it may see a smaller readership as it competes with popular blogs on an internet already cluttered with information.
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