The Investigative Journalism module aims to give students an insight into how to conceive, research and write a piece of investigative journalism to professional standards.

Students will originate an idea, and under the guidance of the tutor will develop it, research it using printed sources and the internet, compile a list of interview subjects and carry out at least two face to face interviews. The research will end in a 2,000 word investigative news feature, with background fact boxes and other material if relevant. The feature must be aimed at a specific newspaper or magazine, and designed into a spread or spreads appropriate to the style of that publication. A research journal of at minimum of 1,500 words will set out the way the research was carried out, what difficulties were encountered, and will include contacts of the interviewees for checking. Assessment will be by the individual studentÆs contributions to the final project.

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: * demonstrate and understanding of how to source an idea for an investigative journalism piece. * use varying research methods to investigate it. * compile a list of interview subjects. * conduct interviews to check out and substantiate the idea - at least two face-to-face interviews .

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: * demonstrate an appreciation of the rigorous research methods needed to substantiate the subject they are investigating. * show an appreciation for libel law and how it influences wha

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: * write a 2,000 word investigative feature for a specific target publication. * edit and design the piece to the style of the specified publication with accompanying pictures and ill

This module consists of a two hour laboratory where the students will be given instruction on how to conceive, research and write a piece of investigative journalism. The students will engage in active learning under the guidance of the tutor on how to originate, develop, research and confirm their idea. They will carry out two face-to-face interviews to substantiate the report. Students will have an active learning experience on how to select the relevant material researched and edit it down to a 2,000 word investigative article that must reveal something new. Students will have an active learning experience of editing, laying out the feature, illustrating it with fact boxes, photographs and graphics if necessary. They will also be asked to read the recommended books on the subject for direction and inspiration. They will also be asked to view one of the best films on investigative journalism: "All the Presidents Men" and discuss the methods used by the journalists subsequently in tutorials. Students will be asked to ensure that their article does not breach the Irish libel laws. Students should feel confident about generating their own ideas for future investigative journalistic pieces and researching them properly to an acceptable publishable standard.