Unveiling the Effects of Citizen Journalism Practice on College Students' Social Capital. (December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nah, Seungahn; Namkoong, Kang; Van Stee, Stephanie K.; Record, Rachael A.
• Is Part Of: Journalism & mass communication educator. Volume 69:Number 4(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 366
• Page End: 385
• Publication Date: 2014-12
• Subjects: citizen journalism -- civic education -- quasi-experimental design -- social capital; Communication -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States -- Periodicals; Journalism -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States -- Periodicals; 070.07
• DOI: 10.1177/1077695814551833
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-6958

Abstract

This study examined the effects of citizen journalism practices on social capital concerning nonprofit and voluntary organizations (i.e., satisfaction, trust, and engagement). Through a quasi-experimental design, the analyses revealed that students in the treatment group, in which participants engaged in citizen journalism practice, had greater positive changes in levels of satisfaction, trust, and engagement than students in the control group. This study offers unique contributions to the existing body of social capital scholarship and practical implications related to the use of citizen journalism as a civic education tool in school and community settings.