Phase I: The Journalist

Phase I: The Journalist

Duration: Weeks 1–15 (every teaching week) | Points: 150 Develop your voice through weekly reading reflections

Learning Objectives

By the end of Phase I, you will:

  • Read and comprehend foundational research methods concepts
  • Reflect critically on assigned readings using structured approaches
  • Build a personal knowledge archive in Obsidian
  • Practice translating academic concepts into your own words
  • Establish a weekly writing routine
  • Create a professional GitHub profile

Phase I Overview

In this phase, you develop the habits of a research journalist: reading critically, reflecting thoughtfully, and documenting consistently. Each week, you engage with chapters from From Vibes to Variables and write reflections that build your understanding over time.

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

Weekly Breakdown

Week Reading Key Topics
1 Syllabus and Introductions Course overview; tools; GitHub setup
2 Ch 1–2: Curiosity & Trust Research as storytelling; reproducibility; tools (R, Obsidian, Quarto, Git)
3 Ch 3–4: Reading Protocol & Archivist Active reading; IMRAD; Zotero; literature searching; citation chaining
4 Ch 5–6: Lens & Roadmap Theory as a focusing tool; three paradigms; narrowing a topic; Holy Trinity

Assignment: Weekly Reading Journal (150 pts total)

Due: Every Friday by 11:59 PM | Length: 250–300 words per entry | Scoring: 10 pts/week x 14 teaching weeks + 10 pts for consistency across the semester

Each week, write a reflection on the assigned reading. Choose one of three thinking paths:

  1. The Connector — Link the reading to your project, other concepts, or real-world examples
  2. The Troubleshooter — Document a challenge you encountered and how you worked through it
  3. The Critic — Ask critical questions, challenge assumptions, or explore implications

Submission

Write your journal entry in the Obsidian vault (01_Journal/) using the journal template, then submit via Blackboard.

What Makes a Strong Entry

  • Depth over breadth — Focus on 1–2 ideas rather than summarizing everything
  • Specificity — Reference specific concepts, examples, or passages
  • Connection — Link to your own project or prior readings
  • Honesty — It’s fine to be confused or skeptical; document your thinking