Digital Commons Network^™

Creating Equitable And Inclusive Basic Course Classrooms: A Response Essay, Kristina Ruiz-Mesa, Melissa A. Broeckelman-Post

Basic Communication Course Annual

In 1992, Jo Sprague challenged communication educators to think more critically about how we teach and what we include in our communication curriculum. In the decades since Sprague’s powerful call for instructional communication researchers and instructors to ask ourselves, “What is knowledge and how is curriculum established?” (p. 11), we find ourselves needing to engage with ongoing contemporary conversations about what counts as knowledge in a basic communication course and which knowledge is viewed as important enough to include in the curriculum. A meta-synthesis of basic communication course surveys showed little change in the basic communication course content over the …

Securing The Right Skills: A Longitudinal Assessment Of College Students’ Writing And Public Speaking Self-Efficacy, T. Kody Frey, Jessalyn I. Vallade

Basic Communication Course Annual

This research investigated the developmental patterns of students’ writing and public-speaking self-efficacy throughout their experience in the basic communication course (BCC). Questions were posed regarding (a) whether students grew in their reported writing and public speaking self-efficacy over two semesters, (b) whether growth differed based on biological sex, and (c) whether affinity and apprehension (as sources of performance self-efficacy) played a role in student growth. Two multilevel models revealed significant differences in students’ initial status and rate of growth for each outcome. Specifically, sex, affinity, and apprehension influenced students’ starting positions in the course, while only apprehension had a significant …

Spartan Daily, February 15, 2023, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2023

Volume 160, Issue 9

“Tweeting During Emergencies”: The Egyptian Ministry Of Health Twitter Communication Strategy Under The Umbrella Of The Crisis And Emergency Risk Communication Model (Cerc) Case Study: Covid-19 Pandemic, Pakinam Elgohary

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates using the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Model (CERC) for COVID- 19 communication by analyzing the content of Twitter messages posted by the Government of Egypt through the Egyptian Ministry of Health (MOHP). It further examines how official communicators and institutions utilize social media to contact the public during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting critical strategies of recommendations. Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC), a five-staged theory, recommends a set of messaging and pertained communication characteristics to implement at each stage of the identified following stages: (1) “Pre-crisis, (2) Initial event, (3) Maintenance, (4) Resolution, and …

Spartan Daily, February 14, 2023, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2023

Volume 160, Issue 8

Chimes: February 13, 2023, Calvin University

Chimes

Student Senate survey highlights points of difference and consensus by Abigail Ham

University adopts statement on role for interfaith dialogue by Gabriel Choi

Weekday breakfast to move back to Commons by Emily Thomas

Getting through SAD season by Lainey Moore

Just like any other sport, but virtual: Calvin Esports is now a club sport by Katie Rosendale

2022's extreme weather hit close to home for some Calvin students by David Ogboro

The challenge of being a two-sport athlete by Lauren Nyong

Facing the narrative gap: a conversation with Lisa Sharon Harper by Abigail Ham

Digital Flourishing: Conceptualizing And Assessing Positive Perceptions Of Mediated Social Interactions, Sophie H. Janicke-Bowles, Tess M. Buckley, Rikishi T. Rey, Tayah Renea Wozniak, Adrian Meier, Anna Lomanowska

Communication Faculty Articles and Research

Recent research started to apply concepts of well-being to the context of computer mediated communication (e.g., social media, instant messaging). While much research investigates negative perceptions of mediated social interactions (e.g., “problematic” or “addictive” social media use), a multi-dimensional measure that taps into users? positive perceptions is sorely lacking. The present research therefore develops the first comprehensive measure of digital flourishing, defined as positive perceptions of mediated social interactions. Building on a qualitative pre-study that aided the construction of the Digital Flourishing Scale (DFS), Study 1 (N = 474) employed exploratory factor analysis to reveal five subdimensions of …

The Impact Of Social Network Friendship On Lending Behaviors: An Empirical Analysis Of Peer-To-Peer Lending In China, Xianyun Chen

Fordham Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation builds on the theoretical framework of information asymmetry, signaling theory, and social network, and empirically studies the impact of social network friendship on peer-to-peer lending (P2P). Using the P2P lending data from China, it studies how social network affects the lending willingness in China’s P2P lending. In particular, it examines the effect of social network on the adverse selection in P2P lending in China, and the effect of social network on interest and default rates. It also explores how P2P loans use the advantages in low-cost customer acquisition and fast …

Wikipedia’S Intentional Distortion Of The History Of The Holocaust, Jan Grabowski, Shira Klein

History Faculty Articles and Research

This essay uncovers the systematic, intentional distortion of Holocaust history on the English-language Wikipedia, the world’s largest encyclopedia. In the last decade, a group of committed Wikipedia editors have been promoting a skewed version of history on Wikipedia, one touted by right-wing Polish nationalists, which whitewashes the role of Polish society in the Holocaust and bolsters stereotypes about Jews. Due to this group’s zealous handiwork, Wikipedia’s articles on the Holocaust in Poland minimize Polish antisemitism, exaggerate the Poles’ role in saving Jews, insinuate that most Jews supported Communism and conspired with Communists to betray Poles (Żydokomuna or Judeo–Bolshevism), blame …

Spartan Daily, February 9, 2023, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2023

Volume 160, Issue 7

Spartan Daily, February 8, 2023, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2023

Volume 160, Issue 6

Spartan Daily, February 7, 2023, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2023

Volume 160, Issue 5

Chimes: February 6, 2023, Calvin University

Chimes

Tuition won't go up in 2023 by Hadassa Ribeiro

Calvin winter sports claim national ranking spots by Lauren Nyong

Worship Symposium back in person after two years online by Gabriel Choi

How to actually have sweet dreams in college by Maya Oeverman

Governance review is more important than it sounds by Grace Buller

Simulation actors help nursing students prep for clinicals by Lainey Moore

Calvin seminar spreads awareness of tobacco industry strategies by David Ogboro

"A crazy, fun, only-in-college tradition": Cold Knight Plunge turns 25 by Katie Rosendale

Stop buying books; use Hekman instead by Abigail Ham

Spartan Daily, February 2, 2023, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2023

Volume 160, Issue 4

Spartan Daily, February 1, 2023, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2023

Volume 160, Issue 3

Evaluating The Impact Of Defamation Judgments On Coverage Of Corruption By Kenyan Media: A Case Study Of Standard Group Plc And Nation Media Group, John Kamau Muthoni

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

The media in Kenya has been under much pressure to remodel the news business to attract revenue amidst technology disruption, tough regulations and defamation cases. This study set out to evaluate the impact of defamation judgments in the coverage of corruption in Kenya. It employed questionnaires and oral interviews as ways or tools of gathering data. Data was collected at two levels: interviews with editors, and questionnaires administered to journalists. Purposive sampling was used to select Nation Media Group (NMG) and Standard Group (SG) in Nairobi as the study locations and a sample of 10 editors. In addition, 242 journalists …

Analysis Of Kenya’S Print Media Framing Of The Dusit D2 Terror Suspects, Ibrahim Galgalo Bocha

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

The reporting of Terror Incidents (TIs) by the media in Kenya started when the first case was reported under the reign of President Jomo Kenyatta (1963-1978), with the first incident reported in 1980, when Palestinian militants staged an attack at Norfolk Hotel on New Year’s eve. Whereas the media has had to balance covering TIs in a timely, factual and objective manner, journalists also need to frame their narratives to reflect the event's social, economic and psychological dimensions. They strive to avoid sensationalism, bias and a presentation of facts that could be seen to fan militants’ propaganda. This study aimed …

The Effects Of Social Media On Newspaper Content Distribution: A Case Study Of The Star Newspaper, Mercy Gakii Kiunga

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

The Star newspaper is arguably the epitome of bold experimentation in the newspaper industry in Kenya. Over time, Star has evolved from a social features newspaper to a political newspaper, growing from a weekly tabloid to a daily circulation newspaper. It is now at the forefront of distributing content on social media channels, print circulation, and digital platforms. This research explored the influence of social media channels on content distribution in Star newspaper. As people use social media platforms to consume news, an increasing number of newspaper channels are turning to social media to catch users' attention. The use of …

The Influence Of Cyberspace Regulations On The Practice Of Online Journalism In Uganda, Patience Ndinawe

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

The study assessed how cyberspace regulations have influenced the practice of online journalism in Uganda. The study's specific objectives were: to find out journalists’ and regulators’ understanding of cyberspace regulations in Uganda, to explore ways used to regulate online journalism in Uganda, and to examine how the implementation of cyberspace regulation in Uganda has affected online journalism practice. The study used a qualitative research method and an explorative research design that involved an in-depth and extensive investigation of a specific instance. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach, with interviews and document reviews. Findings reveal that most online journalists …

Examining The Adoption Of Mobile Journalism In Uganda’S Newsrooms: A Case Of Nbs Tv And Ntv, Eve Masawi

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

Mobile journalism has increasingly become popular in television newsrooms due to the burgeoning number of audiences using mobile devices and social media. Scholarship in mobile journalism has analyzed news gathering, production and dissemination and content production for mobile users. However, no studies focus on adopting mobile journalism within Uganda’s newsrooms. This study aimed to examine the adoption of mobile journalism in newsrooms in Uganda using the case study of NBS TV and NTV newsrooms. The study employed diffusion of innovation and adopted a mixed methods research approach and case study design, employing survey (N=109) and in-depth interviews (N=12) as data …

An Analysis Of Newspaper Coverage Of Far-Flung Counties In Kenya, Galgallo Duba Fayo

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

This study explored how the Kenyan Print Media covers far-flung counties, with a case study of Marsabit, Turkana and Mandera counties. The following research objectives guided the study: (i) To analyse the prominence of Marsabit, Turkana and Mandera Counties issues by the Daily Nation and The Standard (ii) To determine the frames that the Daily Nation used and The Standard in coverage of issues from far-flung counties and (iii) To analyse the extent to which stories from the three counties published by the publications draw from local sources and realities. The two newspapers were selected from the population of 44 …

Ruben Fm And Its Involvement In Socio-Economic Challenges Of Mukuru Kwa Ruben Slums Of Nairobi, Henix Obuchunju

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

vii ABSTRACT Slums are a reflection of underdeveloped and marginalisation. It is so yet the traditional watchdog genre of journalism and the commercial press are both as old as the slums themselves. Past studies show that community radios are struggling with feedback. As such they are yet to assess their value to the world. This study sought to assess the impact of the Mukuru kwa Ruben-based Ruben FM in addressing the socio- economic needs of its listeners; and whether it is advancing the tenets of Solutions Journalism practice. That is; coverage of solutions rather than the problems. The study relied …

Uses And Gratifications Of Sensationalised Content On The Digital Native News Websites In Kenya, Lynet Igadwah

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

The changing media landscape in a digital era has led to increased competition between legacy and new media as the clamour for audience attention takes centre stage. As more people move to access their news online, online-only journalistic brands, otherwise known as digital native news websites, are giving mainstream media a run for their money. These sites are tapping more on internet penetration and digital technologies to drive traffic to their sites particularly using social media as a window. These digital native sites are typically big on photos, bear flashy and bold headlines and are more entertainment-focused, emphasising attracting eyeballs …

Application Of Lean Startup Methodology By Legacy Media Organisations In New Product Development: A Case Of Nation Media Group-Kenya, Ogolo Akoth Dorine

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

Ries (2011) and Blank (2013) documented various aspects of the Lean Startup Methodology and the principles thereof. The literature reviewed point to the need to bridge existing research gaps in the application of the principles, especially in the media industry. The main objective of this research was to establish if and how Nation Media Group - Kenya has applied the Lean Startup Methodology in product development and the effects on the company’s performance. The research was qualitative in nature, with data being collected through interviewing key informers, as well as document analysis. The study established that Nation Media Group preferred …

Challenges Faced By Journalists In Digital Media Enterprises And How To Overcome Them, Robert Ndungu

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

This study aims to identify the challenges faced in successfully transitioning to becoming a digital journalist and the solutions to these problems in a way that creates a template or blueprint to replicate for other journalists. In chapter 1, there is the introduction and background which highlight these challenges including difficulties in having regular training about new tools and technologies. It highlights the struggle digital journalists face to understand their roles and responsibilities, especially in the context of the DME's own interpretation, the advocacy for good mental health and stress management support in the workplace and the complexities of flexible …

Human Resource Management In The Digital Era: Leading A Multi-Generational Workforce In Kenyan Newsrooms, Caroline Wambui Mwangi

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

Human resources are a key pillar for driving media leadership and innovation. These resources are, however, very diverse in terms of skills, expertise, gender, areas of specialization and age among other factors. This study set out to critically examine and understand the dynamics of multi-generational digital newsrooms in Kenya and provide recommendations and strategies for how they can be managed better to ensure productivity and sustainability. Chapter one of this document provided an introduction and background to the study. This chapter also outlined the rationale of the study, the literature review, the problem statement, research objectives and questions, the research …

Gamesmanship In Modern Discovery Tech, Neel Guha, Peter Henderson, Diego A. Zambrano

Faculty Scholarship

This chapter explores the potential for gamesmanship in technology-assisted discovery. Attorneys have long embraced gamesmanship strategies in analog discovery, producing reams of irrelevant documents, delaying depositions, or interpreting requests in a hyper-technical manner. The new question, however, is whether machine learning technologies can transform gaming strategies. By now it is well known that technologies have reinvented the practice of civil litigation and, specifically, the extensive search for relevant documents in complex cases. Many sophisticated litigants use machine learning algorithms – under the umbrella of “Technology Assisted Review” (TAR) – to simplify the identification and production of relevant documents in discovery. …

How The U.S. Mainstream Media Perpetuates Cis White Masculine Hegemony, Yelena Dzhanova

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The news is important because it helps individuals understand their place in the world and make the best decisions for themselves. Throughout its strong history and presence in the United States, the journalism industry has prided itself on delivering fact-based news using an objective framework, meaning that there is an expectation that journalists communicate the news impartially and without bias. Through an examination of gendered language and visual representations published in and by recent mainstream U.S. digital and print media outlets, this paper explains how the media plays a major role in the perpetuation of cis white masculinity. This paper …

Stand-Up Comedy Visualized, Berna Yenidogan

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Stand-up comedy has become an increasingly popular form of comedy in the recent years and comedians reach audiences beyond the halls they are performing through streaming services, podcasts and social media. While comedic performances are typically judged by how 'funny' they are, which could be proxied by the frequency and intensity of laughs through the performance, comedians also explore untapped social issues and provoke conversation, especially in this age where interaction with artists goes beyond their act. It is easy to see commonalities in the topics addressed in comedians’ work such as relationships, race and politics.This project provides an interactive …

Impact Of Social Media  On Public Perception Of Government Covid-19 Response Efforts, Taher Taher

Theses and Dissertations

This research aims to understand this phenomenon to provide insights into how governments can perform better in times of crisis regarding social media and its impact on public opinion. This research aims to understand how social media impacts public perception of government COVID-19 response efforts by studying Facebook comments, likes, and reactions (emoticons).

The study was based on data gathered from Facebook comments on the daily infographic COVID-19 statistics from the official site of the Ministry of Health and Population. The sampling frame is the 52 weeks of 2020, January to December, through random sampling resulting in 546 comments. The …