Study: Maximising Employability in Media and Communication Graduates
The research is being carried out by the following researchers:
Dr Brigid McCarthy
Dr Merryn Sherwood
Dr Merran Williams
Dr Emily Foley
1. What is the study about?
You are invited to participate in a study about student employability. We hope to learn about our students and graduates’ experiences in our degree and in our work-integrated learning subjects, Professional Internship and Upstart. By gathering your perspectives, we hope to have a better understanding of how we can provide high quality work-based learning experiences and improve our subject offerings to support students’ employability in media and communications industries.
Your contact details were obtained from your enrolment in the Bachelor of Media and Communication from 2020.
2. Do I have to participate?
Being part of this study is voluntary. If you want to be part of the study we ask that you read the information below carefully.
You can read the information below and decide at the end if you do not want to participate. If you decide not to participate this won’t affect your relationship with La Trobe University.
3. Who is being asked to participate?
You have been asked to participate because:
- You are/were a student in the Bachelor of Media and Communication at La Trobe University.
- You undertook a media internship or our subject Upstart during your degree.
4. What will I be asked to do?
If you want to take part in this study, we will ask you to complete an online survey that will ask you questions about your experiences undertaking an internship or Upstart while studying in the Bachelor of Media and Communication. It will take approximately 20 minutes of your time to complete.
5. What are the benefits?
The benefit of you taking part in this study is that you will have the opportunity to offer your insights and perspectives on your work-based learning experiences, a perspective that is largely missing from similar research in journalism education. The expected benefits to society in general is that it will be prepare graduate to excel further in media industries, and provide valuable insights on students experiences of work-based learning in the fields of media and communication education research.
6. What are the risks?
With any study there are (1) risks we know about, (2) risks we don’t know about, and (3) risks we don’t expect. If you experience something that you aren’t sure about, please contact us immediately so we can discuss the best way to manage your concerns.
| Name/Organisation | Position | Telephone | |
| Emily Foley | Researcher | e.foley@latrobe.edu.au |
We have listed the risks we know about below. This will help you decide if you want to be part of the study.
We do not foresee any risks associated with this study.
7. What will happen to information about me?
We will collect information about you in ways that will not reveal who you are.
We will store information about you in ways that will not reveal who you are.
We will publish information about you in ways that will not be identified in any type of publication from this study.
We will keep your information for 5 years after the project is completed. After this time we will destroy all of your data.
The storage, transfer and destruction of your data will be undertaken in accordance with the Research Data Management Policy https://policies.latrobe.edu.au/document/view.php?id=106/.
The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws, any health information collected will be handled in accordance with the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic). Subject to any exceptions in relevant laws, you have the right to access and correct your personal information by contacting the research team.
8. Will I hear about the results of the study?
You can find out about any reports and publications that come out of the study by request by contacting Emily Foley (see contact details below).
9. What if I change my mind?
If you no longer want to complete the questionnaire, simply close the survey web browser. If you change your mind after clicking on the ‘Submit’ button, we cannot withdraw your responses because we cannot link who you are with your questionnaire responses.
Your decision to withdraw at any point will not affect your relationship with La Trobe University or any other organisation listed.
10. Who can I contact for questions or want more information?
If you would like to speak to us, please use the contact details below:
| Name/Organisation | Position | Telephone | |
| Emily Foley | Researcher | e.foley@latrobe.edu.au |
11. What if I have a complaint?
If you have a complaint about any part of this study, please contact:
| Ethics Reference Number | Position | Telephone | |
| HEC24321 | Senior Research Ethics Officer | +61 3 9479 1443 | humanethics@latrobe.edu.au |
Consent Form – Declaration by Participant
I (the participant) have read understood the Participant Information Statement, and any questions have been answered to my satisfaction. I agree to participate in the study. I know I can withdraw at any time before submitting the survey. I agree information provided by me or with my permission during the project may be included in a presentation and published in journals on the condition that I cannot be identified.My information will only be used for this study.
If you would like to receive a copy of the results via email or post, contact Emily Foley, the contact listed above
By clicking on the ‘I agree, start questionnaire’ button, this tells us you want to take part in the study.