thegreatgalactic

[thegreatgalactic]

Mastery Journal: New Media Journalism Final Project.

The course objective in the beginning of this month was initial researching and writing about my Capstone Project from the project planning all the way down to the project execution. Honestly, out of my entire Mastery Journey of course being the final month; that this was very challenging month in a rich and positive experience for myself. Moving overseas and adjusting to the time zone difference would be the biggest one. Secondly, the first couple weeks overall. The writing for thesis assignment; were considerable the “meat and potatoes” for analytic research paper. It was challenge trying to establish a good well written paper that has a very strong introduction and powerful literature piece. So having to constantly revising my paper will need for this project. Closer to the third and final week here has really been bittersweet with achieving towards the end of the Mastery Journey. Completing the last constructive pieces with the thesis project for myself was easier, understanding the big picture. Ultimately, I really wish my Capstone Project was fully able to take off in the social media promotion and execution stage. Having to deal with the pause and cancellation due to potential “military representation” was disappointing and confusing at first which progress to frustration.  Personally, if gotten the proper guidance and clearance on publishing the project; without hesitance it would have immediately been picked up more heavily. Furthermore, this class has taught and rooted me more with the idea and revisions and refining. The write in the course was not a really considered a “cakewalk” but challenging you to thoroughly refine and perfect my skill of writing. This course has also considerable boosted my skill and confidence with research and scholastic papers. Throughout of my time here, I would have to say this a most definite skill needed for the journalistic Mastery of Journalism.

[thegreatgalactic]

Mastery Journal Assignment: Research and Investigation Skills

 

Objective Goals:

 

Learning to find and research government and organizational sources. 

One of the biggest things I expected to take away from this course was learning how to properly conduct more research. Normally, in the beginning, I would look for websites and publications outside the realm of biased articles or research. Usually, it would be mostly from historical websites or official government and organizational posts.

 

How to properly use and format information found.

Throughout my high school and mostly college career, I would be used to citing references and citations on a separate page in APA style format. In addition, most of my courses would use this method for research papers and discussion posts.

 

Properly documenting and citing information gathered.

With references and citations, learning to convey and cite information in various formats. Traditionally, sources citations within the paper are  useful for quick references from articles or online publications. Ironically, I also have been using this writing style and in-paragraph citations while in another course towards my military career.

 The three most helpful pieces of information that I learned during this course were:

Using “.gov” following Google Searches to find the most accurate research.

While conducting research for this course, I never would have thought that using “.gov” after Google searches; would navigate users' access to public records about the initial topic. It was initially challenging to find sources within the beat of my website to aid my research; however, finding and reading more accurately was very helpful and resourceful.

Finding and using interviewed sources or experts to further conduct research.

In addition, another method of research I found very useful during my time in this course was finding more relevant and accurate interviews and experts within my subject of study. Applying the same method of using “.gov,” I found more videos related to my topic. This would be on YouTube, video archive sites, or the written publication itself. This was extremely helpful when I had to find more war photography and photojournalism experts. Plus, this was very helpful to just be able to watch documentaries and learn as a visual learner.

Creating infographics for timeline references for resources.

In my experience, I have created many infographics before, but using them for my research and publications in a timeline format was unique and helpful. This tool helps me find more accurate research and information and how to structurally illustrate this information.

The information I have learned throughout my time in Research and Investigative Skills course has helped prepare me for my journalistic career because these findings and research have helped me develop a better understanding of finding resources, to further discuss and analyze my conducted research, and how to use references and citations formally and informally in my journalism writing. Overall, this course has helped me and guided me to find and develop research for more topics more accurately.