NZQA registered unit standard
27627 version 1
Page 1 of 3
Title
Create and manage a news research blog
Level
4
Purpose
Credits
5
This unit standard is intended for people studying journalism in
an off-job situation.
People credited with this unit standard are able to set up a
topical news research blog and manage a news research blog.
Classification
Journalism > Journalism Skills
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Recommended skills
and knowledge
Unit 27619, Demonstrate understanding of news writing and
write news stories suitable for community newspapers, internet
and radio.
Explanatory notes
1
This unit standard has been designed for learning and assessment off-job where
scenarios may be used to gather evidence. This standard should not be used as part
of a professional journalism course or qualification.
2
Industry texts
– Tully, Jim (ed), Intro: A Beginner's Guide to Professional News Journalism
(Wellington: New Zealand Journalists Training Organisation, 4th edition, 2008).
– Briggs, Mark, Journalism Next: A Practical Guide to Digital Reporting and
Publishing (Washington: CQ Press, A division of SAGE, 2010),
http://www.CQPress.com.
3
Definitions
– blog sitemap refers to a collection of links outlining the structure of the blog or
website;
– categories refer to an electronic ‘filing system’ under which each different post is
stored and they also form a core element of navigation around the blog/website;
– news research blog refers to a blog site that is created for the purposes of posting
information and links relevant to a newsworthy topic;
– news journalism style refers to the standard required for news media outlets to
consider publishing the material. It will recognise standards described in the
industry texts and may include but is not limited to – newsworthiness; platforms;
reliability, validity and usefulness; news values; introductions (impact,
succinctness); structure (appropriate for story type and platform; arranged
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27627 version 1
Page 2 of 3
logically); grammar; spelling; punctuation; word selection (jargon and clichés
avoided); attribution (mix of direct and indirect quotes including paraphrasing);
understanding (issues in context, key questions answered); balance; fairness;
media style; language used in news media publications;
– tags complement the categories by describing individual sections within the
categories. They can be used to replace searching.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Set up a topical news research blog.
Range
evidence must be in accordance with the guidelines for blogging conventions
and news journalism style as explained in the industry texts.
Evidence requirements
1.1
A research topic is selected that relates to New Zealand current affairs.
Range
1.2
politics, national government or the economy.
A blog site is set up in accordance with the requirements of a blog site hosting
service.
Range
pages, categories, links to other websites, blogger’s profile,
explanation of purpose on the “About” page, widgets, traffic
statistics system, moderation of comments, blog sitemap.
1.3
An internet search engine account is set up for the purposes of receiving alerts
and emails from websites relevant to the news research topic.
1.4
An introductory post is published on the blog introducing the blogger and
explaining the blog’s objectives.
Range
headline, excerpt, tags, photographs.
Outcome 2
Manage a news research blog.
Range
evidence must be gathered over a three month period that includes a minimum
of one posting each week.
Evidence requirements
2.1
The internet and alerts set up for evidence requirement 1.3 are monitored for
material relevant to the news research blog topic.
Range
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
news stories, videos, still images, blogs, website postings, social
media items.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27627 version 1
Page 3 of 3
2.2
Material found from monitoring is summarised in text items of one or two
sentences.
2.3
Text summaries are posted on the news research blog with links to relevant
internet items.
includes – links, permalink, heading, category, tags;
may include but is not limited to – still images, videos.
Range
2.4
Blog is monitored for traffic and comments are moderated.
Range
legal conventions, ethical conventions, news value, research
value.
Planned review date
31 December 2016
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
19 January 2012
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0002
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact Competenz info@competenz.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the
content of this unit standard.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016