Assignment:
Investigative Reporting
Investigative reporting relies upon the effective utilization of information from a variety of sources. Throughout this course, you will develop the skills necessary to locate and research Internet sites for valid information, and evaluate those resources for credibility.
In the Final Research Project, you will apply the research and analysis skills you have developed throughout the course to an investigation of an area of interest. Using the resources found in The Investigative Reporter's Handbook as a guide, select one of the following focus areas for your research project:
? Punishment: Prison, Probation, Commutations and Pardons
? Law Enforcement
? Education
? Business: For Profit or Non-Profit
? Health Care
? Environment
Based on your reading of The Investigative Reporter's Handbook and other outside reading, respond to each of the following in at least two to three pages per area. Please note that the Final Research Project should be contained within one Word document.
1. Explain the unique issues confronting the topic you investigated.
2. Assess the major players and how they interact with each other and the public at-large.
3. Summarize your findings on the two specific questions investigated.
4. Critique each of the references you used to cover both the topic at large and the specific issue you covered.
Writing the Final Research Project
The Final Research Project:
Must be at least eight double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.