My research paper will look like this (haven't been revised yet)

Jin Shin

1.            Topic area : Mobile phone reporting for development. The mobile phone use has been explosive in Africa and many organizations are trying to harness this cell phone booms to stimulate citizen journalism in Africa.

2.            Research Question : How is mobile phone reporting affecting development in Africa?

-Does it change the way African people receive community news? 

-Does it change African’s behavior or attitude? (any big events, protest, gatherings)

-Does it change government’s policy or Foreign aid?

-Does it change the image of Africa to the western? ( Has it been reflected on the main stream media? )

-Can mobile reporting be a new business model to the locals?

3.            Methodology : Data collection and Analysis, Interpretation from African news media using mobile phones.

-Africanews.com : the largest African community websites with 300 African journalists. Launched in August 2007

-Voice of Africa: NGO’s project to bring African voices to the community

- Reuters Africa, CNBC Africa etc.

4.            Expected results

: Africans start delivering the local perspective and capturing images/stories on the spot thanks to the available technology. The topic varies from Water, Tourism, Election, Education, Genders.

A. It brings about change that improves the living standards in their own communities.

B.  It also provides jobs to the locals and opportunity to the entrepreneurs.

C. Their own story telling affects the way western views the Africa. They tell a story about “ how we live in Africa, not how we die”.

D. It funnels the funding and donations into the very needed place from other countries.