Research & Data Interpretation
Applied communications
Project
For my Capstone project, my team and I developed an informative strategy focused on improving awareness of everyday food choices. We researched how consumerism and brand marketing influence people’s decisions about what they eat, especially through communication strategies used in advertising and media. Our project connects directly to communication because it examines how messages are designed to persuade consumers and how those messages shape behavior. Based on our findings, we created and carried out a small-scale intervention using clear communication methods to educate others on how to become more mindful and intentional with their food choices.
LOC 3: Using Communication Research Methods to Explore
This project is based on data-driven research. I used pre-survey and post-survey results, along with interactive Kahoot data, to measure what my audience knew before and after the intervention and to evaluate its effectiveness. This shows my ability to design research tools, collect data, and analyze results to improve communication outcomes.
LOC 2: Using Communication Theory to Understand
I applied concepts of consumerism and brand manipulation to better understand how food companies shape public behavior. By identifying key information gaps, I was able to develop a communication strategy that challenges corporate messaging and promotes more mindful and informed decision-making.
LOC 4 ,6, & 7: Communicating Appropriately and Ethically
Ethics were a major focus of this project. I made sure all health and branding information was shared in a clear, honest, and accurate way. The intervention was also designed to fit the audience in a respectful and relatable way, making the message easy to understand without being pushy or misleading. This project required me to take full responsibility for the research process. I identified areas for improvement, such as poster placement and timing of the intervention, which showed my ability to evaluate my own work, make adjustments, and manage a project from beginning to end.