This thesis analyzed Indiana editors and reporters through Qmethodology in an effort to establish a typology of Indiana journalists pertaining to the future of the daily newspaper. Because of an apparent lack of abundant research relative to what journalists perceive as the future of the daily print medium, this study attempted to add an Indiana perspective to existing empirical literature dealing with the future of newspapers.Fifty-six editors and reporters from 28 of Indiana's 73 newspapers were selected as a purposive sample of the state's journalists. Statements representing perceptions about the future of newspapers were compiled in a 64-card structured Qsort and administered in person to all respondents. Respondents were asked to sort through the cards and rank the statements on an 11-point, Likert-like most-agree/most-disagree scale.Computer analysis of the Q-sorts produced five typal arrays which may be considered five typical categories into which Indiana journalists fall with regard to their perceptions aboutthe future of newspapers.Four of the five types showed strong correlation among themselves. Although none of the 12 consensus items proved significant, Indiana editors and reporters were found to have similar attitudes overall regarding several key statements.Findings of this study indicate the typical perceptions of Indiana journalists regarding the future of newspapers are centered around the belief that responsiveness to readers is a high priority. Data also indicated editors and reporters see technology and marketing to be keys to success for newspapers of the future. Other findings appear to suggest journalists believe local news and information relative to readers' daily lives will be important parts of future newspaper content. Making newspapers "user-friendly" was also a high priority for Indiana editors and reporters.Although one of the five types emerging in this study showed strong discontent in its perceptions of the public, the overall view of journalists in Indiana appears to be one of respect and confidence in readers of the future. There was also indication that editors and reporters were open to change in the newspaper industry and committed to a career in the daily print medium.Because of the projective nature of this study, Q-methodology was selected as an appropriate research instrument. It should be noted, however, that this method provides only typical attitudes that may not be generalized among populations other than the one particular to this study. / Department of Journalism

A study was conducted to determine what attitudes Indiana religion editors and reporters hold toward religion news and what attitude patterns exist among them.Using Q Methodology, this study explored the attitudes of religion reporters and editors at 22 Indiana daily newspapers. Newspapers included in the study had a religion reporter or editor who covered local religion news.The concourse for the study was developed by using statements from Ranly's 1977 study and from articles from trade and scholarly journals. The Q-sample included a total of 54 statements related to personal religious beliefs, the state of religion news and working as a journalist.The subjects completed a questionnaire, which included questions about their professional and religious background, and interviews were conducted with the subjects.The typical Indiana religion reporter was: a Caucasian female who had worked as a journalist for less than 10 years, who had held the position of religion reporter for less than five years, who held a bachelor's degree in journalism or English, and who had at least one college religion course. She had exposure to religion while growing up, is now involved in religious activities, and attends church weekly.QMETHOD software was used to tabulate the Q-sorts, and the investigator determined that two factors could be drawn out from the results. Hypothetical reporter types were labeled as "moderate" and "traditional." There was a high correlation between the two factors. Moderates were more news-oriented in their approach. They believe that religion news should be covered like any other news topic. Traditionalists were more faith-oriented. They believe that their faith and their jobs are not conflicting. / Department of Journalism

The goal of this research was to provide how women in Indiana perceive their roles in the radio industry.Thirty-five female participants from across the state sorted Q statements that covered the following topic areas: relationships with men, relationships with co-workers, personal on-air work, career opportunities/education, and personal life.Through an analysis of the Q sorts collected for this particular study, three distinct factor types were found: Optimists, Pessimists, and Neutralists. The Optimists are enthusiastic about their work in radio and do not feel as if they have been slighted by male co-workers or managers. Pessimists, while they expressed a general enjoyment of their work, are overwhelmed with feelings of suppression by the men with whom they work with. Finally, the Neutralists seem uncertain of any professional limitations in the radio industry because of male dominance.There was little evidence that the three groups in relation to age, level of education or years in radio was related to the three factor types. / Department of Journalism