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Description
Analytics has transformed many of the core principles of sports journalism, forcing journalists to work smarter, harder and more creatively than ever before. Yet reporters today are uniquely prepared to navigate the constantly evolving world of journalism, as they now find themselves armed with a plethora of statistics and data

Analytics has transformed many of the core principles of sports journalism, forcing journalists to work smarter, harder and more creatively than ever before. Yet reporters today are uniquely prepared to navigate the constantly evolving world of journalism, as they now find themselves armed with a plethora of statistics and data that allow storytelling at depths never previously imagined. In interviews with those at the cutting edge of the industry, journalists from around the country imparted insight into how they work to blend new age thinking with time-tested methods of journalism. This thesis expands on those insights and examines the strategies employed to best attack questions of how to best integrate analytics into writing, what role analytics should play in interviews, how to find stories using analytics and others.

The process to answer these questions began by compiling a list of 166 journalists who could provide valuable insight into the current state of sports journalism. Targeted specifically were those journalists who were either currently or had spent extensive time as a beat reporter, as a crucial aspect of the study hinged on the exploration of the role of analytics in day-to-day coverage. Of those 166 journalists, 93 made themselves available through either Twitter direct message or email. Once contacted, 47 of those journalists responded, eventually leading to 27 phone interviews and 7 email interviews.

Each interview began with the journalist establishing a baseline for what they thought the role of analytics should be in the coverage of their respective sports. From there, the conversation often took a linear turn as journalists talked about the experiences in their career that led them to that conclusion, what moments had shifted their overall opinions of analytics, their best approaches for utilizing analytics in both articles and interviews, their favorite and least favorite analytical measures, the gaps that remain in analytics, and the future of the industry as a whole.

Each interview was transcribed, and a number of compelling themes emerged. The many different themes were organized into three different groups, past, present and future, where they were further expanded on to best display the many concepts illustrated in this thesis. Among the themes explored include how journalists use coaches and players to validate statistics, what strategies work best when including analytics in conversations with athletes, how to find story ideas through analytics and the issues plaguing the analytics community. Once themes had been identified, the percentage of journalists who had indicated agreement with the themes were calculated. Thus, themes investigated were represented statistically as well as by a quote from a journalist addressing the idea.

Across 34 interviews with some of the country’s most established and well-respected voices, many of the pressing issues facing analytics in sports journalism today were explored, including the melding of analytical and narrative writing, how best to use analytics in question asking, and the “holy grail” of analytical data. Across interviews, a host of interesting strategies and ideas emerged as journalists examined how the industry reached its current point, what practices are currently most effective, and where the industry is headed. The perspective gained from this thesis gives insight into many of the lesser-discussed elements of journalism, imparting a deeper understanding of the challenges that lay ahead for sports journalism through an examination for how far the industry has come. While analytics and their usage in sports journalism remains a difficult concept to fully encapsulate, this thesis hopefully gives a better look at their complex and ever-evolving relationship.
ContributorsRosenfarb, Jacob Alexander (Author) / Boivin, Paola (Thesis director) / Reed, Sada (Committee member) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Comm (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
In this research, the effect of the crystal structure of the parent phase on the morphology of nanoporous gold is explored. Specifically, Cu-Au alloys are studied. For this experiment, Cu0.75Au0.25 is heat treated to achieve an ordered phase Cu3Au and a disordered random solid solution, face centered cubic, Cu0.75Au0.25 phase,

In this research, the effect of the crystal structure of the parent phase on the morphology of nanoporous gold is explored. Specifically, Cu-Au alloys are studied. For this experiment, Cu0.75Au0.25 is heat treated to achieve an ordered phase Cu3Au and a disordered random solid solution, face centered cubic, Cu0.75Au0.25 phase, which are then dealloyed to form nanoporous gold (NPG). Using a morphology digital image analysis software called AQUAMI, SEM images of the NPG morphology were characterized to collect data on the ligament length, ligament diameter, porosity size, etc. of the samples. It was determined that the NPG formed from the ordered parent phase had an average ligament diameter that was 10 nm larger than the NPG formed from the disordered parent phase. This may be due to the ordered crystal structure allowing for faster gold diffusion and coarsening resulting in an increased average ligament size. Further future work is needed in order to obtain further evidence to support this hypothesis.
ContributorsTse, Ariana Yusof (Author) / Sieradzki, Karl (Thesis director) / Wang, Qing Hua (Committee member) / Materials Science and Engineering Program (Contributor) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Comm (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
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DescriptionI created a multimedia website exploring the history and influence of Christianity in Native American communities throughout the Southwest. More specifically, this project explores how Christianity was introduced in these communities, how Native Americans responded to it, and how it has impacted them since.
Created2019-05
Description
Journalism is one of the most far-reaching mediums to inform the public about environmental and sustainability issues. Mass communication has brought this discussion to an unprecedented level of exposure that continues to escalate, and the quality of storytelling must continue to spark discussion about sustainability and environmental problems. The quality

Journalism is one of the most far-reaching mediums to inform the public about environmental and sustainability issues. Mass communication has brought this discussion to an unprecedented level of exposure that continues to escalate, and the quality of storytelling must continue to spark discussion about sustainability and environmental problems. The quality of environmental journalism, the “researching, verifying, writing, producing and broadcasting of news about the environment” to and for the public sphere, has been a subject of much debate (Pezzullo & Cox, 2012). This beat, relatively new, is an emerging one that serves the public by explaining the importance of protecting and preserving the environment. However, sometimes journalists’ work falls on deaf ears. In order for environmental journalists to be effective storytellers with robust, reliable work that resonates with audiences, they must continue to improve the effectiveness and captivating qualities of their work.
This project will explore how the American public perceives environmental reporting, constraints on its production, an assessment of the industry’s success and growth, and advice from current journalists. I will conclude with a list of the best practices for captivating and effective storytelling. Finally, I will close with a reflection based upon my creative project, a multimedia piece on how citrus crops in Arizona are affected by honey bees. I aim to provide student journalists with an informal guide to the key skills that will help them excel not only in reporting on a certain sustainability topic, but also on the environment as a whole.
ContributorsHenne, Sarabeth Baxter (Author) / French, Lynn (Thesis director) / West, Maureen (Committee member) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Comm (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Journalists are the eyes and ears for the communities in which they serve. They don’t cover all issues and stories, however, not necessarily because of a lack of concern, but due to the lack of diverse voices that work behind-the-scenes, on-air, and serve in leadership positions in television newsrooms. This

Journalists are the eyes and ears for the communities in which they serve. They don’t cover all issues and stories, however, not necessarily because of a lack of concern, but due to the lack of diverse voices that work behind-the-scenes, on-air, and serve in leadership positions in television newsrooms. This paucity of diversity plays out in many more implicit rather than explicit ways. This issue has been addressed by the theoretical framework of intersectionality, utilized as a rationale in this thesis to further develop an argument on how the absence of diversity in television newsrooms affects the entry of new diverse employees in the workplace. The thesis also analyzes microaggressions in the workplace and the factors that influence not only the hiring process but also the ability of newsrooms to retain diverse talent. Most of all, this thesis gives voice to Black female television journalists who stayed in the journalism business despite all odds and highlights their struggles as well as coping strategies for building their careers and taking it to the heights they have.
The creative element of this thesis brings the research to life, with audio and video interviews that describe the challenges and accomplishments of the 11 interviewees currently working in the industry. This thesis reviews recent and older literature to find common trends, explore the issues previously addressed, and uses the interviews to provide a current picture of the situation in television newsrooms.

Keywords: Diversity, Television News, Black Women, Journalists, Leadership, Producers, Broadcasters
Created2019-05
Description
Traditional forms of news distribution are rapidly dying out. Newspaper revenue continues to decline, while internet alternatives, accurate or otherwise, gain traction. One of the fastest growing forms of "new media" is the podcast. Everyone from comedians to organizations like National Public Radio is launching their own, and they are

Traditional forms of news distribution are rapidly dying out. Newspaper revenue continues to decline, while internet alternatives, accurate or otherwise, gain traction. One of the fastest growing forms of "new media" is the podcast. Everyone from comedians to organizations like National Public Radio is launching their own, and they are increasingly becoming legitimate sources of income when supplemented with advertising. Video podcasts have also exploded into the mainstream, generating millions of views on platforms like YouTube. However, it is rare to find a video podcast series with one journalist and a guest, and even less common for a show to be hosted by a college student. The "Tell it Like it is" video podcast is an attempt at bringing college journalists into the world of video podcasting. It examines the extent to which a single person can have a successful podcast while in college and what resources are necessary for the task. The following paper contains the history of podcasting, its growth in the 21st century, the inspiration for this project, an in-depth description and background of each episode, challenges, successes, future endeavors, and a conclusion. An accompanying website serves as the headquarters for the five-part video podcast series. The website also hosts additional information about the subjects and their careers. All episodes have been uploaded to YouTube.
ContributorsDowd, Kyle Christopher (Author) / Knudson, Syleste (Thesis director) / Sandoval, Mathew (Committee member) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Comm (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-12
Description
Arizona State University presents numerous opportunities beyond the classroom for students of various academic disciplines, such as through organizations and publications. However, there is a demand by students for more extracurricular activities pertaining to the field of fashion. This thesis presents a solution to the dilemma by outlining a business

Arizona State University presents numerous opportunities beyond the classroom for students of various academic disciplines, such as through organizations and publications. However, there is a demand by students for more extracurricular activities pertaining to the field of fashion. This thesis presents a solution to the dilemma by outlining a business plan for SPARK, a funded and student-led campus fashion and beauty magazine. The content of this paper will discuss the need for an outlet of this nature and the research that was conducted to support this idea, such as the fashion-related opportunities that already exist at ASU, an overview of the university’s current student publications and a comprehensive competitive analysis of fashion magazines from colleges around the nation. A main research component of this creative project was a survey that was distributed as a means of understanding the fashion media interests and consumption habits of ASU students. The results of this study will be discussed, followed by an analysis of how these data played into the organization and planning of the publication. Attached to this dissertation is a business plan comprised of a thorough value proposition, three-year budget, audience insights and more. A sustainable business plan for SPARK, an interdisciplinary and original student-led fashion magazine, will be presented.
ContributorsTaylor, Emily Anne (Co-author) / Taylor, Emily (Co-author) / Parrish, Mi-Ai (Thesis director) / Pucci, Jessica (Committee member) / School of Art (Contributor) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Comm (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-12
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Description
As a student at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Barrett, The Honors College, as well as a lover of travel, Brielle Ashford decided to combine her passions and spent four months abroad in Spring, 2019, creating a senior thesis in digital international journalism. She enrolled in

As a student at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Barrett, The Honors College, as well as a lover of travel, Brielle Ashford decided to combine her passions and spent four months abroad in Spring, 2019, creating a senior thesis in digital international journalism. She enrolled in the Center for Intercultural Educational Exchange's Open Campus program for a semester and spent a month and a half each in three countries. Starting in Cape Town, South Africa, she interviewed locals about their lives post-Apartheid. In Paris, France, Brielle found a story in a non-profit that teaches French youth about religious diversity. Lastly in Rome, Italy, she covered the famous, vibrant food culture of gelato at the city’s oldest gelateria. It was the experience of a lifetime and the stories stand on their own... and she made it all happen with little more than the Adobe editing suite and an iPhone X.

CAPE TOWN IN BLACK, WHITE AND COLOURED:
https://youtu.be/7egRATDxKso

RELIGIOUS SECULARITY IN PARIS: FILLING IN THE GAPS THE LAW LEFT OUT
https://youtu.be/Xd6PsFIgj0M

A TASTE OF ROME AT PALAZZO DEL FREDDO:
https://youtu.be/iW60mxD_xTo
ContributorsAshford, Brielle (Author) / Emmert, Chuck (Thesis director) / Silcock, Dr. Bill (Committee member) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Comm (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Two communities that aren’t exactly known for overlapping much with one another are the LGBT community and the gaming community. While there hasn’t historically been much of a focus on how these two communities intersect, research is slowly developing. This paper will dig into the history of LGBT representation in

Two communities that aren’t exactly known for overlapping much with one another are the LGBT community and the gaming community. While there hasn’t historically been much of a focus on how these two communities intersect, research is slowly developing. This paper will dig into the history of LGBT representation in video games, including a loose timeline of the earliest examples of LGBT representation in games to the present day. In a separate section it will also examine how, in these cases of representation, the LGBT characters and themes were portrayed, whether positive, negative, or neutral, and what effects, if any, these examples had on the gaming community as a whole.
ContributorsTortorici, Colby Richard (Author) / Camporeale, Joseph (Thesis director) / Young, Amy (Committee member) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Comm (Contributor) / College of Integrative Sciences and Arts (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
This project includes a travel blog made while studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland during spring semester of 2020. The blog is called Sierra Sage and can be found at https://sierrasage.travel.blog/. The project also includes data and analysis from six paid advertisement campaigns made on Google and Facebook/Instagram. The blog includes

This project includes a travel blog made while studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland during spring semester of 2020. The blog is called Sierra Sage and can be found at https://sierrasage.travel.blog/. The project also includes data and analysis from six paid advertisement campaigns made on Google and Facebook/Instagram. The blog includes 24 blog posts targeted toward students interested in study abroad and/or travel, and each campaign on both platforms applies to a separate blog post written as part of the project. The paid advertisements were completed using funding from Barrett, The Honors College.
ContributorsPoore, Sierra Sage (Author) / Bonilla, Luis (Thesis director) / West, Maureen (Committee member) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Comm (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-12