π° Phase I: The Journalist
Phase I: The Journalist
Duration: Weeks 1-4 (Jan 12 - Feb 02) | Points: 150
Develop your voice through weekly reading reflections
Learning Objectives
By the end of Phase I, you will:
- β Read and comprehend foundational research methods concepts
- β Reflect critically on assigned readings
- β Build a personal knowledge archive in Obsidian
- β Practice translating academic concepts into your own words
- β Establish a weekly writing routine
- β Create a professional GitHub profile
Phase I Overview
In this phase, youβll develop the habits of a research journalist: reading critically, reflecting thoughtfully, and documenting consistently. Each week, youβll engage with a chapter from the Vibes to Variables textbook and write a 250-300 word reflection.
The Journalist Mindset
- Read actively: Engage with the text, ask questions, make connections
- Reflect deeply: Consider how concepts apply to your interests
- Document consistently: Build your personal knowledge archive
- Share openly: Contribute to collaborative learning through GitHub
Assignments
Weekly Reading Journal (150 points)
Due: Every Friday by 11:59 PM (Weeks 1-4)
Post a weekly 250-300-word reflection on the assigned reading: 1. Draft your entry in Obsidian (folder: 01_Journal) 2. Copy to your GitHub repository for submission 3. Submit link via Blackboard
Reflection prompts: - How does this chapter connect to mass communication? - What surprised you or challenged your assumptions? - How might you apply these concepts in your research?
GitHub Profile (25 points)
Due: Week 1 (Jan 12)
Create a professional public GitHub profile: - Professional photo - README.md introducing yourself - Outline your research interests
Weekly Schedule
| Week | Chapter | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Ch 1: The Science of Storytelling | Introduction to research methods |
| Week 2 | Ch 2: The Publishing Engine | Research publication process |
| Week 3 | Ch 3: The Scientific Approach | Scientific method fundamentals |
| Week 4 | Ch 4: Intelligence Gathering | Literature review and sources |
Follow the Setup Guide to: 1. Download your Liaison_Vault.zip from the Resources page 2. Extract it to your Documents folder 3. Install and configure Obsidian 4. Connect your vault to Obsidian 5. Configure attachment settings
Due: Before your first class meeting
Activity 2: Explore Your Vault Structure (15 minutes)
Open your Liaison_Vault and review each folder:
| Folder | Purpose | What Youβll Do |
|---|---|---|
| 00_Inbox | Quick capture | Write daily thoughts & ideas here first |
| 01_Journal | Weekly reflections | Use templates to reflect each week |
| 02_Literature | Research notes | Organize all your reading notes |
| 03_Project | Active research | Organize by prospectus, codebook, data, drafts |
| 04_Resources | Media & attachments | Store images, PDFs, external files |
| 99_Templates | Reusable templates | Copy templates to start new work |
Activity 3: Your First Journal Entry (10-15 minutes)
Create a new file in 01_Journal/ named Week_01_Reflection.md
Use one of the three thinking paths:
- The Connector - How does being a liaison relate to things you already know?
- The Troubleshooter - What challenges might you face in this role?
- The Critic - Does the liaison role resonate with your experience?
Write 3-5 sentences. No pressureβjust think on paper. π
Tools Youβll Use
This course uses five key tools. Get familiar with each:
Obsidian
Your personal knowledge management system
Git & GitHub
Version control for your projects
R & RStudio
Statistical analysis and data work
VS Code
Professional code editor
Key Resources for Phase 1
- π Weekly Journal Template - Use this each week
- π Data Dictionary Template - Preview for Phase 3
- π Vault Orientation File - Start here for more details
- π₯ All Downloads - Software, templates, guides
What Success Looks Like
By the end of Phase 1, you should have:
β
Vault Configured - Your Liaison_Vault is set up and synced
β
Folder Structure Explored - You understand what goes where
β
First Journal Entry - One reflection using one of the three thinking paths
β
Software Installed - Obsidian, Git, R/RStudio, VS Code (if using)
β
Ready for Phase 2 - You know where to find help and resources
Next Phase
Once you complete Phase 1:
β Phase II: The Architect - Set up your digital workspace and research infrastructure
Questions?
- Setup issues? Review the Setup Guide
- Tool problems? Check the Resources page for detailed installation guides
- General questions? Email Dr. Leith or visit during office hours (MW 10:00β11:30 AM or 1:30β3:00 PM)