UROP Project

Trading cards, Pop Culture, Content Analysis
Research Mentor: Richard Waters,
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Communication, Communication and Information
Contact Email: rdw22@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-8 per week,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Weds, September 4, from 12-1:30pm

Project Description

UROP participants will work under the guidance of the professor to analyze what cultural and societal trends are represented in the 1980s "Garbage Pail Kids" trading cards. The directory of cards is located online (https://geepeekay.com/). Students will work with students to develop a codebook to analyze the different cards throughout the full collection so that the graphic design and card portrayals can be analyzed quantitatively.

Research Tasks: Students will work with the professor to create coding categories and then collect data from the online resource. If students wish to work on statistical analysis after the data has been collected, I'm more than happy to have them assist with data analysis.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Ability to think creatively when looking at an artistic presentation of the cards is recommended.

Mentoring Philosophy

I am looking to work with a FSU UROP student who wants to explore their creative side. Garbage Pail Kids cards are something that I grew up with in the 1980s and 1990s and now want to explore them to see what I didn't notice as a child. I want to work with someone who is curious about these artistic presentations to better understand the trends presented and then reflect on what these mean in greater society. I am fairly open to the working situation and can work remotely or in meetings when they're needed. I imagine an ideal mentor relationship is one where we work together and each offer ideas for the project. I don't want someone who is simply wanting to carry out my project. I want someone who is interested in exploring their own ideas.

Additional Information


Link to Publications

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Richard-Waters-2
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