While in the graduate program at Texas State University, I took my interest in the practical aspects of the media a step further by studying theories as they apply to new media. I wrote several research papers for classes, where I conducted focus groups, original surveys, and content analyses based on media use, and they each yielded interesting results. Below are brief descriptions and downloadable .PDFs of some of my research:

Focus Group on Cell Phone Dependence:

I worked with five other graduate students to interview and analyze a group of cell phone users. One interesting finding in this study was that even if cell phone plan prices doubled, these users would still subscribe.

The Gatekeeping Function of Online Newspaper Editors:

This was the first research paper I wrote in grad school, and it focused on the changing habits of news editors, comparing news articles written in their traditional format and those published on the news organization's Web site. It used recorded personal interviews with two local Texas newspaper editors to determine and analyze the latest news selection processes.

Internet Behavior Among Different Classifications of Television Users:

For this paper, I conducted an original survey result of mostly college students to discuss the Internet habits and activity of different tiers of television users.

The Portrayal of Immigration on Texas Newspaper Websites:

This was a study based on a content analysis of several Texas newspaper websites to discuss the theory of media framing, and classified articles based on “positive” and “negative” phrases related to immigration.

Besides conducting my own research, I have also assisted colleagues at Texas State University with their coding efforts.