CAR: Computer aided research and reporting

Computer aided research and reporting: 

Rich new fields of reporting have opened up in the digital era. Electronic record keeping and information dissemination in government, business and civil society mean that journalists can obtain highly detailed data that was never previously available. But this also poses problems.The speed of transmission, combined with ever-growing volumes of information, create huge challenges of information overload and complexity. There are also ethical and legal issues of confidentiality and copyright. Also, skills of supporting desk analysis with online surveys are essential for success of communication that drives for impact.ObjectiveAt the end of the course, learners should be able to:

• Decide when CAR methods would fit the reporting job in hand
• Plan personal and group coverage of stories incorporating CAR
• Find and apply software for CAR
• Know how to set about gathering and sifting digital data online and offline
• Apply basic sifting and compilation techniques to extract key insights
• Write up your findings and insights in the manner of precision journalism
• Inform and guide others on the appropriate use of CAR
• Understand tools for online surveys

Course Units

• CAR overview
• Internet search strategies
• Globalism and Uganda
• Information strategy
• Information collection, production and sharing tools
• Best practices in CAR

Course Duration: One month (4 hours a day, 5 days a week, 3weeks of remote support)Equipment needed: Computer or good capacity mobile phone with space to install and test apps Targeted market: This course is for reporters, editors, managers and professionals wishing to know more about how to use computers (along with smartphones and software) to better search the internet, undertake surveys and generally use the internet to improve their work.You can reach out for any consultations where need be.