Attitude and perception of female students towards journalism as a career

Project Abstract

This research project aims to explore the attitude and perception of female students towards journalism as a career. Journalism is a dynamic field that plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and disseminating information in society. Despite the importance of journalism, there is a gender disparity in the industry, with women being underrepresented in key roles. Understanding the attitudes and perceptions of female students towards journalism as a career choice is essential in addressing this gender gap and encouraging more women to pursue careers in journalism. The research will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A survey questionnaire will be distributed to female students in various educational institutions to gather quantitative data on their attitudes towards journalism as a career. The questionnaire will include Likert scale questions to measure the level of interest, perceived barriers, and motivations for considering journalism as a career option. In addition to the survey, in-depth interviews will be conducted with a subset of female students to delve deeper into their perceptions of journalism as a career. The qualitative data collected from these interviews will provide valuable insights into the factors influencing female students' career choices and their views on the journalism profession. Thematic analysis will be employed to identify common themes and patterns in the qualitative data. The findings of this research will contribute to the existing literature on gender representation in journalism and provide practical recommendations for educators, industry professionals, and policymakers to promote gender diversity in the field. By understanding the attitudes and perceptions of female students towards journalism as a career, stakeholders can develop targeted interventions to attract and retain more women in journalism. Overall, this research project seeks to fill a gap in the literature by exploring the attitudes and perceptions of female students towards journalism as a career. By shedding light on the factors influencing female students' career choices, this research aims to contribute to efforts to promote gender diversity and equality in the journalism profession.

Project Overview

<p> <em>On the yearly basis universities, polytechnics, media colleges and institutes are graduating students hopefully to work in form of the media but the reverse appears to the case among the students particularly female ones who prefer other careers. This opinion require the empirical studies to establish its real position; it is on this notion that this paper examines the attitude and perception of female mass communication students of Kwara State University, Malete towards chosen journalism or its related arms like public relations as a career. The research was anchored on individual difference and perception theory. Survey research method was adopted while questions were administered to the respondents within the institution were drawn using multistage sampling procedure from 100-400 level. The data collected were analysed and interpreted using descriptive statistics (frequency percentage and tables). Findings show that majority of the respondents did not wish to practice journalism despite the years spent in learning, stressing that journalism is time consuming job with no time for husband and children coupled with </em><em>discrimination and other hazards attached to it especially during election, crisis etc. although some still believe that they can practice as either freelance or just as broadcasters. The research recommended that Media houses should make it as a point of duty to employ more of the female Journalists just like they employ the male Journalists. Men who are opportune to marry female Journalists should encourage them to practice their profession as this will broaden their horizon and also help the family to be current on things happening in the world while salaries of working Journalists should be increased so as to motivate and change the Negative Attitude of Female Mass Communication Students Towards Journalism A Career To Positive on one.</em> <br></p>