This semester's edition marks the 10th in the history of the Elon Journal.
The School of Communications has published the Fall 2014 issue of the Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications, featuring student work on topics ranging from advertising techniques in interactive graphic novels to the evolution of feminism in American women’s magazines.
The Fall 2014 issue contains seven research papers authored by School of Communications students. The lead article focuses on why individuals prefer to buy products that align with their own self-image. Other articles in this edition include representations of American culture in food advertisements, how Christian leaders use Twitter and media narratives of poverty in Appalachia.
Accompanying the online articles are video introductions by the authors, who explain their research methods and their interest in the topics they chose to study.
Byung Lee, associate professor in the School of Communications, serves as journal editor. He assembled an editorial board of 20 Communications faculty members who participated in the multiple blind-review process to select the best student work.
The Elon Journal began in Spring 2010, with spring and fall editions each year. The Fall 2014 journal marks the 10th edition.
“These studies reflect the hard work of students and their mentors in answering significant communication questions of our time,” Lee writes in his editor’s note. “I hope these articles in this issue will inspire students in the next semester to commit to examining important research questions and submit their papers to this journal.”
The Council on Undergraduate Research catalogs 120 student research journals in the nation, and the Elon Journal is the only one that focuses on undergraduate student research in journalism, media and communications.