19 August 2010

Communication postgraduate students, Shaunagh Brolly and Lynn Shiels, have been recognised for their innovative approach to research, receiving the WD Morrow Award for the highest marks in their MSc projects.

Shaunagh is a training officer with Young Enterprise NI and completed her studies part-time. Her project focused on investigating people’s motivation for enrolling on a self-help programme for those living with arthritis and the impact the programme had on their ability to manage the disease. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and that is certainly the case for Shaunagh who decided to use photography to investigate the realities of living with a condition such as arthritis. While most of us are familiar with the concept of taking photographs of family and friends to record important family events, we are perhaps less aware of the potential role and value of photographs within research practice.  

The project involved giving each of the participants a camera and asking them to select and photograph items which represented aspects of living with the condition. Commenting upon the process, Shaunagh observed that “the photographs provided much deeper insights and a more powerful narrative than would have been possible using a traditional survey questionnaire. Perhaps more importantly, this approach engaged the participants within the research process”.

The other recipient of the WD Morrow Award, Lynn Shiels, works at Cookstown District Council and also completed her qualification through part-time study. The aim of her research was to determine the factors which motivate customer loyalty towards the Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre. To achieve her research goals, Lynn used projective techniques and focus groups of customers from the Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre. Lynn commented “the results of my study will be of great benefit as they will assist us in implementing a strategy to further enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty to the venue”.  

The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in conjunction with Queen’s University Belfast, provides a range of courses in Communication, including postgraduate Diploma and MSc programmes. Courses are available on both a full and part-time basis and start in September 2010. For more information on postgraduate Communication programmes come along to the Open Evening at Loughry Campus on Thursday 26 August between 3-8pm or Freephone 0800 0284291

Masters in Communication students Shaunagh Brolly (Derry) and Lynn Shiels (Tobermore) were presented with the WD Morrow Award for achieving the highest marks in the MSc thesis component of the Communication course by Michael Drake (Trustee of the WD Morrow Trust Fund). Also pictured are CAFRE representatives James O’Boyle and Roy Nelson.