(MASC 323)
[Computer-Assisted Reporting] (E)
Sat-M 1:40-3:30, 71/B02
Academic Year 2002-2003
Dr. Abderrahmane Azzi
Office Hours: Sat-M 12:00-1:30
Course Description:
The course is about the use of statistical data in reporting. The course is based on the use of spreadsheets, database mangers and online resources that enable students not only to write news stories, but to create news and put data in large contexts. The course is a practical guide to the use of computers to store, import and analyze data that help students initiate and develop their own news stories more quickly and with a deeper understanding of the story's subject.
Course Objectives:
· To make student appreciate the use of statistical software and online resources in reporting
· To enable students to use computers to analyze statistical data, write news stories and do far-searching research through online documents.
· To give students a chance to analyze data from different angles and perspective that can be creatively used in reporting.
· To provide students with the necessary technical and analytical skills in reporting.
Topics:
1st & 2nd Week: High-Tech Journalism: introduction and basic tools.
3rd & 4th Week: Computer Basics: columns and rows, operating
systems, boxes inside boxes, techno-speak, modems
and networks…
5th and 6th Week: Spreadsheets: handling data, percentages, from
horizontal to vertical, comparing the parts and the
sum, sorting the results, charts and graphs…
7th and 8th Week: Database Managers: selecting, searching,
filtering, sorting, grouping matchmaking, building
your own database…
9th and 10th Week: Online Resources I: library researchers, newspaper
clips, email, newsgroups, World Wide Web,
Protocol Transfer Protocol…
11th and 12th Week: Online Resources II: finding data, obtaining
databases, computer tapes, importing databases…
13th and 14th Week: Strategies For Stories: building databases,
matching databases to knowledge, integration of
databases, ….
15th and 16th Week Introduction to Mapping and Social Science
Research Tools: patterns in information, matching,
zooming --- standard deviation, frequencies,
descriptive statistics, cross-tabs…
17th Week: Ethics and Accuracy: privacy, authenticity, errors
in record layouts…
18th Week: Review
Evaluation: A student is evaluated on the followings:
35%: Quiz & Class assignments
25%: Mid-term examination
40%: Final examination
Reference:
Brant Houston, Computer-Assisted Reporting: A Practical Guide, 2nd Edition, Bedford/St.Martin's, New York, 1999.
Other Resources:
The National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting