A Qualitative Study of University Journalism Programs in Illinois: Survival in the New Age of Digital Media and Budget Constraints A Research Proposal for EPSY 710 Amanda Bright

What’s at Stake? Departments and colleges of journalism have come in numerous incarnations during their more than 130 years in existence, and during this time, intense debate about which model is superior has not ceased (Brandon, 2002). Contributing factors to current paradigm shift: Illinois’ more than 18 months without budget Shift to digital, emerging media Continued academic vs. pragmatic philosophy debate Politics and economic pressures on industry

A Review of Literature Little comparative analysis or research done on models of J-Schools in United States (Steel, at al., 2007) Academic, liberal arts foundation vs. pragmatic, vocational training as constant tension (Lahav, 2008) Possible permutations of a journalism program: Full college or department with major (accredited) Minor to supplement multi-disciplinary approach Absorption into speech communication (theoretical) Removal from academic realm (apprenticeship only)

Research Purpose The purpose of this qualitative inquiry in the form of a multiple case study is to analyze the transformations currently occurring at three public Illinois university journalism programs in order to understand how J-Schools in the state are responding to the myriad pressures that will dictate the academic future of the discipline.

Research Questions How are public Illinois journalism programs currently changing their J-School models? What are the pressures in Illinois that are causing either a discussion of or a specific change in the model of each J-School? How will the changes in the J-School models in Illinois affect or dictate the academic future of the discipline?

Pilot Study Themes Five hours of classroom observation and three, one-hour interviews with professors of journalism at a mid-sized Illinois university with a full program Subjects unified on purpose of journalism program “People who can serve democracy well. We are public servants.” Divergent ideas on future of program Focus on new technologies necessary Broaden with journalism across curriculum approach Double-down with legacy media and increased ethics

Methods and Methodology Multiple case study (universal method) with three public Illinois university journalism programs Typical case subjects selected by random purposeful sampling determined by criteria either extensive knowledge of the college’s journalism program, control over the direction of the journalism program, or both Sample size determined by saturation, but no less than: 20 hours at each institution Five subjects at each institution Any documents related to above

Methods and Methodology Naturalistic Observations with Field notes Meetings, organizational discussions, program roundtables Descriptive and reflective notes Focus Groups with Criterion-based Subjects Semi-structured protocol At least five faculty, staff, leadership from each institution Document Content Analysis Minutes, memos, contracts, etc. Only those considered or composed during observations

Researcher and Trustworthiness My position: adjunct journalism instructor Mission and no decision-making ability Steps toward toward establishing trustworthiness Credibility  reflexive journal Transferability  thick description of observations Comfirmability  member checking throughout Dependability  triangulation

Data Instruments and Analysis Instrument Details: Observation protocol with both descriptive and reflective field notes and use of thick description Focus group protocol (semi-structured) with stakeholders Content analysis of any supporting documentation Analysis Parameters: Coding  Thematic Elements  Constant Comparison  Inductive Arrival at Main Narrative for each Institution Member checking and inter-rater reliability (as needed) Visualization in form of case display with an explanatory effects matrix (tentative)

Potential Contributions All three institutions are headed toward possible major changes in next 1-2 years Journalism programs, future students, faculty, professional practitioners all stand to benefit from understanding transformation Decisions made will profoundly shape journalism education, journalism profession, Fourth Estate of our democracy J-Schools are where next version of journalism will be born

Limitations and Future Directions Author’s tangential connections to subject matter Three institutions not representative of entire state Not generalizable to all J-Schools nationwide Subjects less than forthcoming while under enrollment pressure, financial pressure, and possible demise Limited literature on what is happening beyond blog posts and non-research based essays

A Qualitative Study of University Journalism Programs in Illinois: Discussion and Critique A Qualitative Study of University Journalism Programs in Illinois: Survival in the New Age of Digital Media and Budget Constraints A Research Proposal for EPSY 710 Amanda Bright Thank you!