UROP Project

true crime, media studies, communication

Research Mentor: ajohns@fsu.edu Ashley N Johns, She/her
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Communication, Communication and Information
Contact Email: ajohns@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Kaylin Lane & Alessandra Noli
Faculty Collaborators Email: kl23g@fsu.edu

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Open to all but most related to communication or criminology
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-7 hours per week, flexible schedule,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday, September 3 from 5-7pm

THURSDAY ROUNDTABLE CANCELLED AND RESCHEDULED DUE TO PERSONAL CONFLICT FOR RESEARCHER-- if you are unable to attend the Friday session but have any specific questions regarding the project, please do not hesitate to reach out via email at ajohns@fsu.edu

Friday, September 6 from Noon to 1pm
Zoom link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97837126853

Project Description

This study seeks to understand the ways male and female homicide offenders are portrayed to true crime content consumers. Based on a social constructionist perspective, the gendered portrayals of murderers in true crime content may influence how people perceive gender differences in the world around them, especially in relation to crime.

We will seek to answer the following answer:
How does the show portray the female homicide offenders?
How does the show portray the male homicide offenders?
How do the portrayals of male and female homicide offenders differ?

To examine these questions, we will analyze all 17 seasons of Snapped: Killer Couples, a popular television show airing on the Oxygen network and streaming on Peacock. This show presents a unique research opportunity as each episode features a male and female perpetrator, allowing an equal representation of gender portrayals for analysis.


Research Tasks: Prepared to watch episodes of a true crime show that may include sensitive or difficult topics
Coding using a codebook and memo-ing after each episode (we will provide the codebook and coding/memoing training during the UROP position)
Assisting in analysis of results
Research-related writing


Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Research writing (recommended)
Time management (required)
Ability to watch a show for analysis, not necessarily for pleasure (required)