The individual project aims to help students in-depth reporting, broadcasting, writing and design skills through work on a substantial project of their own choice. It aims to help them produce an extended piece of journalism with appropriate research.

Students will choose and research a subject of their choice using all available resources and personal interviewing. They will be guided by a supervisor to ensure their research will be adequate to produce a 4,500 word extended journalistic product, either as one piece, or a group of related pieces. Students will also be required to produce a 30-minute radio documentary OR 10-minute television documentary OR multimedia project on this or a related topic, or a series of shorter packages. A target publication and broadcast outlet must be identified and justified. The final work will be designed for print / web / edited for broadcast as appropriate and presented as part of a portfolio of publications produced while a BA student. Students should conduct a series of interviews as appropriate and follow ethical guidelines and use on-the-record sources. Students will demonstrate cognisance of news processes, evidence of research, ethical considerations and sound editorial judgement in the production of the project and portfolio.

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: Understand the significant role of research in the preparation of extended journalistic pieces. Evaluate documents for potential use as evidence in a paper trail or other investigative processes and analyse their significance or otherwise. Demonstrate sound editorial judgement and decision making when choosing topics and sources for interview.

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: Appreciate the research processes, interviewing dynamics and editing judgement required to produce an expended journalism product. Show strong ethical awareness when interviewing and producing content, following house guidelines and international best practice.

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: Produce an extended piece of journalism for print output. Prepare a portfolio of work to a professional standard. Research, edit and produce a radio documentary.