A Q study of newsroom attitudes toward the roles of newspaper designers

TL;DRAbstract

Newspapers have increased their emphasis on page design and presentation due to modern design styles, competition, and changes in technology. While newspaper designers have taken on increasingly important roles in newsrooms, professional and academic literature points to a divide between "word" journalists and "visual" journalists. This researcher examined current attitudes toward this divide using Q methodology.Forty-one journalists at four Midwestern newspapers comprised the sample. The journalists sorted 50 Q statements concerning attitudes about the responsibilities of designers and the value of design to the newspaper and its readers.Upon analysis of results, respondents were divided into three factor groups: the Collaborators, the Progressives, and the Traditionalists. Respondents in all three factors agreed that design elements serve readers and cooperation between designers and other journalists benefits readers. Collaborators had the most advanced point of view on the ability

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