Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Assignments

A podcast is an audio episode of a serial or stand-alone program that provides an in-depth exploration of a specific topic or topics based on interviews, conversations, debates, scripted audio dramas, story telling, news documentaries, or reviews.

A podcast can be assigned as a group or individual project. It requires students to identify a topic for discussion, locate research about the topic to support their arguments or explain their reasoning, and develop a script or storyboard of the program that helps to visualize, brainstorm, and map the narrative of the podcast, often with an expectation that relevant sound effects or music is included to enhance the delivery. A podcast assignment may require submission of the program transcript and a portfolio of supporting materials, such as, a reflective journal that documents the work done by an individual or group and a literature review paper with a bibliography of sources used. Finally, the instructor will often distribute a rubric that describes the levels of performance by which the podcast and supporting material is evaluated and graded.

Research suggests there are a number of expected learning outcomes derived from a podcast assignment. These can include:

• Encouraging ingenuity in how to present the podcast using sound effects and other audio design elements in order to create a specific mood or atmosphere;
• Building a sense of community among students in the classroom and, in the case of group assignments, opportunities for creative collaboration;
• Enhancing writing and oral presentation skills;
• Offering a method for students to express themselves using spoken forms of persuasion and logical reasoning;
• Teaching students how to formulate and plan a narrative directed at a specific audience;
• Thinking critically about audio as a medium for communication and creative expression; and, 
• Giving students an alternative means of demonstrating that they understand the course content.

Andersen, Rene Holm, and Susanne Dau. "A Review of Podcasts as a Learning Medium in Higher Education." In Carsten Busch, et al, editors. Proceedings of the 20th European Conference on e-Learning: A Virtual Conference Hosted by University of Applied Sciences HTW (Berlin, Germany, October 2021), pp. 34–41; Moryl, Rebecca L. "Pod Learning: Student Groups Create Podcasts to Achieve Economics Learning Goals." The Journal of Economic Education 47 (2016): 64-70; Olmsted, Jill. Tools for Podcasting. Washington, DC: American University, 2019; Hall, Naomi M. and Jason M. Jones. "Student-produced Podcasts as a Teaching and Learning Tool." American Journal of Distance Education 37 (2023): 53-65; Trendafilov, Rossen, and Meghan Hennessy Mihal. "Student-created Podcasts as a Tool for Teaching Economics and Finance." International Review of Economics Education 49 (2025): 100315; Meden, Ema, Marko Radovan, and Damijan Štefanc. "Podcasts and Informal Learning: Exploring Knowledge Acquisition and Retention." Education Sciences 14 (2024): 1129; Engzell, Jeanette et al. "Soundwaves of Knowledge: Using Podcasts to Facilitate Learning in Higher Education." Educational Media International 62 (2025): 1-19; Podcast Assignments. Digital Transformations Hub. University of Nottingham; Hoegaerts, Josephine, and Maiju Wuokko. "Podcasts as Student Assignments: Experiences and Insights." Journal of University Pedagogy [Yliopistopedagogiikka] 29 (2022).

A podcast assignment is similar to giving an oral presentation in class in terms of requiring time set aside to plan, create, and present your topic. However, developing a successful podcast involves simultaneously applying three distinct types of skills. 

1. Technical: Students need to possess some familiarity with audio recording and editing software, mobile devices with voice recording apps or the use of portable recorders, and the proper use of microphones and other equipment, if applicable.
2. Research: Most podcast assignments require students to write a paper that summarizes and explains the scholarly literature used to support the arguments and address possible counter-arguments made during the podcast.
3. Storytelling [or story re-telling]: Students need to formulate a script and set of questions to address during the podcast in a way that ensures the dialogue flows smoothly. This includes considering where to insert music and/or sound effects while doing so within the time limits of the assignment.

Strategies for creating a successful podcast include:

• Knowing Your Audience. Most assignments state who the intended audience is for your podcast. This establishes the context and focus of your program. Assignments may describe a specific audience [e.g., listeners interested in healthcare policies supporting new immigrants] or a more general audience [e.g., any listeners interested in Los Angeles city politics]. In both cases, think about the issue you discuss framed as a problem or a need that must be met. Note that if the assignment is open-ended and does not specify an audience, you should decide first who the audience is because this will underpin how you plan, develop, and deliver your podcast.
• Listening to Other Podcasts. Locate and listen to podcasts that discuss the same general topic you are interested in or that relates to the class assignment. Focus on how the program’s format and sound elements enhance or possibly distract from the discussion. Listen carefully to the podcaster’s voice, how they ask questions, and create a specific mood or set a tone. Also, listen to podcasts that mention research during the program and, if possible, are the same length of time as stated in your assignment; this will help you understand how much content can be covered.
• Drafting a Basic Outline. After you feel comfortable about what you want to discuss during your podcast, draft a general outline of the program. Think about the purpose of the podcast and how you want to frame the information you are sharing with the audience. For example, will the purpose be to educate, persuade, or entertain the audience? When might you include specific sound effects or music? As with writing a research paper, a basic outline can help you think about the organization and eventual contents of your project and help predict the overall structure and flow of the podcast.

Adapting the Framework: Podcasts. Sweetland Center for Writing, College of Literature, Science, and Arts, University of Michigan; Podcast Assignments. Digital Transformations Hub. University of Nottingham; Matason, Michael. Audio and Podcasting Projects. Georgetown University Library; Podcasting. Douglas College Library and Learning Centre; Podcasting Assignments. McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning, Princeton University;  McCollom, Amanda. Assignment Packages: Podcast Projects. University of Delaware Library; Going Digital: Creating a Podcast Assignment. Teaching Technology Guides. University of Mary Washington; Olmsted, Jill. Tools for Podcasting. Washington, DC: American University, 2019; Creative Assignments: Podcasting. Academic Technology Solutions. University of Chicago; Podcast Guide. Keleher Learning Commons. University of Saint Mary; Podcast Rubric. University of Wisconsin, Stout.

After drafting a basic outline of your podcast, the next step is to decide what specific content you want to include and in the sequence in which it should be delivered. However, this decision-making is rarely a linear process. As you begin to piece together a script or story board [i.e., a sequential, visual representation of the narrative], new ideas will likely emerge that make you rethink your initial outline. This is normal and an inherent part of any creative process. However, do not let a focus on creativity take away attention from the podcast's central purpose--to critically examine and discuss a topic in a manner that inspires, persuades, and educates the audience.

While thinking about how to organize the content of your podcast, ask yourself the following questions:

• Will the narrative be tightly scripted, more conversational, or a combination of both?
• What voices are essential to understanding the topic and capturing your listener’s attention?
• What research, stories, or personal experiences might be included to help contextualize what is discussed?
• What audio elements do you need to find and record before creating your program?
• What types of research sources are needed to support the discussion?

A useful strategy for organizing the content is to create a podcast planning worksheet. The worksheet will help you structure the program by listing each segment in the first column, the amount of time they will be in a second column, and a space for notes in a third column regarding the key points you want to highlight and any possible sound effects to include during or in between each segment. Filling out the worksheet will help you formulate the sequence of content and make decisions concerning how much time should be devoted to each segment without going over the time limit of the assignment.

Adapted from examples made by Amanda McCollom and the University of North Carolina Libraries*, a podcast planning worksheet could include the following segments:

1. Teaser [optional] – this opening refers to a provocative statement or quote, music or a special sound effect, or an urgent call to action that serves as a "hook" to grab the listener's attention. If you include a teaser, it should be short but impactful.
2. Introduction – this is where you introduce yourself and explain the topic and its significance. Use this moment to provide a brief description of the topic, profile any guests or persons being interviewed, and explain why the topic is important for listeners to hear. 
3. Theme/Interlude Music – this is a common place where can help establish the mood of the program using a piece of music or sound effects.
4. Setup/Overview – this segment establishes the tone, i.e., manner of speaking that creates the quality, feeling, or attitude of the podcast, and previews the remaining contents of the program.
5. Topic – this is the main segment of your podcast. It is where you conduct interview[s], tell a story, or describe a personal experience that helps the listener understand the topic and explain its broader implications. This part of the planning worksheet can also be broken down into smaller segments, such as, background information, what the research says, the interview, and a synthesis of key points. If there is more than one topic being discussed, include a segment for each in your worksheet [e.g., Topic 1, Topic 2, Topic 3].
6. Wrap Up/Takeaways – this is where you connect everything discussed during the podcast and offer a critical assessment of the topic, summarizing opinions presented and the key issues discussed. It reminds the audience what they learned from listening to your podcast.
7. Outro – this term refers to the short, distinct closing section of a program [i.e., the conclusion]. It is when you give credit to anyone who helped you create the podcast and where you offer expressions of gratitude to any guest speakers or people you interviewed and then finish by thanking your audience for listening.

At any point during or in between segments, music or sound effects can be inserted into your planning worksheet. However, be careful not to overwhelm the program with audio effects. Think strategically about where these elements can be used most effectively to enhance the overall quality of the podcast.

Conducting Interviews

If you plan to interview one or more people during your podcast, it is crucial to begin thinking about who you want to interview as early as possible. Even if you intend to just have a conversation with someone, it is still important to think about the list of questions you want to ask and the order in which you ask them. The questions should focus on eliciting responses that clarify and highlight aspects of the topic being discussed. For each question, be prepared to ask follow-up questions to help continue the conversation and draw out additional detail or insight from the person.

Given this, it is important to ask open-ended questions that do not have simple, predetermined answers [i.e., a close-ended question]. Open-ended questions usually begin with “how,” “why,” or “what” or open with phrases, such as, "describe the..." or "tell me about..." or "explain the reasons for...." These types of inquiries require the respondent to pause, think, and reflect before expressing their feelings, opinions, or ideas and, as a result, will more often help the listener obtain additional context and understanding from the interview. In addition, when composing open-ended questions, avoid prompts or extra information that can lead to the desired answer; ask simple and precise questions to ensure unbiased and meaningful responses. In short, open-ended questions lead to open-ended responses.

Examples of Open-ended Questions

• Tell me your experiences with...?
• What are the potential solutions to...?
• How would you describe the...?
• What would you do to improve...?
• How would you feel if...?
• What’s the most important priority to...?
• How did you reach the decision to...?
• What do you view as the next steps to...?
• Describe your approach to...?
• Can you help me to understand why...?
• Explain the justifications for...?

Preparing the Person(s) Being Interviewed

A person contacted to be interviewed should be an expert in an area of study or professional practice that relates directly to the topic or a person who has substantial personal experience with the issues being discussed. Given this, they will likely be expecting to draw from their area of expertise or personal life in response to the questions you ask. As a general courtesy, provide the respondent ahead of time with a summary and explanation of the topic or key themes that you intend to cover so that they have time to prepare. You can also consider sharing questions in advance, but keep in mind that this may undermine the chance that respondents give spontaneous and unrehearsed answers. Finally, consider inviting the respondent to bring talking points to the interview in case they want to share specific facts, ideas, or thoughts with listeners.

NOTE: The process of identifying, contacting, scheduling, interviewing, and selecting what parts of a person's answers to incorporate into your podcast can be challenging to manage because the time required to complete the interview depends on factors outside of your control [e.g., when the respondent responds; scheduling; technology]. Given this, be sure to set aside enough time early in the planning process to set up and conduct the interview. Always have a backup plan in case the person scheduled to be interviewed backs out for some unforeseen reason.

ANOTHER NOTE: The setting where you conduct the interview is important. If it is in-person, choose a location that is quiet and does not have any distracting ambient noise. If you believe background sound may enhance the interaction between you and the respondent, add it later, so you can control its effect. Also, test your recording device to make sure it is working properly. If you conduct the interview remotely using Zoom, ensure that you have a strong internet connection and that you enable the audio transcription feature so you can paraphrase any responses where the person offered good information or insight, but it was stated awkwardly or in an unclear way. This essay from Podcast Host provides practical advice on how to create and save a podcast using Zoom.

YET ANOTHER NOTE: If you are using your phone to record an interview or conversation, there are several software apps you can use to record depending on the type of phone you have. These include:

• Easy Voice Recorder (free on Android)
• Speechnotes (free with ads on Android)
• Voice Memo (free on iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch)

And, before the interview, always make sure your phone is fully charged before you begin the interview!

* McCollom, Amanda. Podcast Projects: Podcast Planning Worksheet. University of Delaware Library; Plan a Podcast. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill University Library.

Adapting the Framework: Podcasts. Sweetland Center for Writing, College of Literature, Science, and Arts, University of Michigan; Heinz, Charlie and Scott Spicer. Podcasting Guide. Wilson Library. University of Minnesota; Podcast Assignments. Digital Transformations Hub. University of Nottingham; Cullen, Emma. How to Ask Open-ended Questions: 25 Examples. Mentimeter, Stockholm, Sweden; Matason, Michael. Audio and Podcasting Projects. Georgetown University Library; Podcasting. Douglas College Library and Learning Centre; Olmsted, Jill. Tools for Podcasting. Washington, DC: American University, 2019; Podcasting Assignments. McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning, Princeton University; Going Digital: Creating a Podcast Assignment. Teaching Technology Guides. University of Mary Washington; Creative Assignments: Podcasting. Academic Technology Solutions. University of Chicago; Podcast Guide. Keleher Learning Commons. University of Saint Mary; Podcast Rubric. University of Wisconsin, Stout.

Whether all or only parts of your podcast are scripted, practice reading the text out loud so you can decide where you want to verbally emphasize things in advance. This can be done by using grammatical symbols in the script to indicate these moments. For example, you can: 1) use an ellipsis [...] to show when to pause while speaking; 2) use a slash mark [/] to indicate that you are moving on to a different part of the podcast; 3) underline or bold text to show when you want to verbally emphasize something important; and, 4) use an up-or-down arrow to indicate a change in the pitch of your delivery. Ultimately, it is important to be yourself and to come across as naturally and authentically as possible. A confident delivery will engage the audience and encourage them to listen to the entire program.

Music and Sound Effects

Music and audio effects are vital to setting the mood and atmosphere of the podcast as well as creating a more immersive experience for your listeners. Experimenting with different musical styles, instrumental pieces, and sound effects can help create a more engaging and memorable program. Sound or music can be used to punctuate key moments, highlight important points, or add emphasis during specific segments.

Here are some websites for acquiring music and sound effects. Note that if you are looking for a particular piece of music or a type of music, but are unable to find it, contact the Music Librarian, Andrew Justice at ajustice@usc.edu.

• YouTube Studio -- free with an account
• Alexander Street Music and Dance Online -- unified interface for all music databases from Alexander Street covering a wide variety of genres available from the USC Libraries.
• BBC Sound Effects Library -- contains approximately 16,000 sound effects available from the BBC in WAV format to download. 
• Freesound -- free with an account
• Freesfx -- free with an account
• Naxos Music Library -- provides audio recordings from all eras of Western music history available from the USC Libraries.
• SoundBible -- access to thousands of free sound effects
• ZapSplat -- offers a free account but does have limited downloads
• Wikipedia Creative Commons Sound Directory -- this is a compilation of websites and organizations that have media available under a creative commons license.

NOTE:  Not every moment of a podcast has to be filled with sound. There are several reasons brief moments of silence or pausing while speaking can improve the overall delivery of your podcast. For example, a pause can give listeners time to contemplate key points and allow them to ascertain the significance and relevance of what is being stated. Moments of silence are also helpful in grabbing and maintaining the audience's attention. Speaking constantly without any breaks for an extended period of time can lead to listeners losing focus about what is being said. Finally, a pause can help you avoid unnecessary fillers like “ah,” “um,” and “uh.” It gives you time to gather your thoughts and cleanly move on to the next part of the program.

Editing Your Podcast

Once you have compiled each segment of your podcast, the final step is to edit the content. Before editing, though, it is important to consider the time limit of the assignment because you will likely to end up with more content than is needed. For example, perhaps a person you interviewed provided a long, but really thoughtful answer that contained a lot of good insight about the topic. However, you can't have the person speaking for five straight minutes during a fifteen minute podcast. Given this, be prepared to make hard decisions about what content to include and exclude. Focus on the topic and the most relevant and impactful issues you want your audience to learn about. If needed, break up long interview responses or recorded conversations by paraphrasing parts of the answer.

Finally, when recording and editing your podcast, be aware of transitions between segments and any music interludes. Abrupt changes can be jolting to the audience. This may be desired in cases where you may want to highlight a point or create a dramatic moment but, in most cases, transitions should support the overall tone of your podcast.

There are a variety of open access [free] audio editing software applications that can be used to record, edit, and mix a podcast program. Commonly used programs include:

• Adobe Audition -- offers a comprehensive set of professional-grade editing tools and effects for audio post-production. It allows for multi-track editing, enabling users to work with multiple audio tracks simultaneously for more complex projects.
• Audacity – a popular program that has an extensive suite of editing tools and is relatively easy to use. It works on Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms.
• Audio Cutter – a browser-based editing tool that works on a Chromebook and does not require downloading anything. It has limited functionality, but it is not overly complicated and can still meet most editing needs.
• GarageBand – this free Mac program is a good choice if you are a beginning user of audio editing software. It has both a desktop and a mobile device version.
• Ocenaudio – provides a simpler interface than Audacity and can be a good choice if you are overwhelmed by Audacity’s complexity, yet you still want a powerful editing tool.
• Reaper -- offers a wide range of editing and automation tools and features a highly customizable interface, allowing users to tailor the layout and workflow to their preferences.
• SoundTrap -- a free browser-based platform specifically designed for editing podcasts and music. It comes with capabilities to easily trim, splice, rearrange, and reduce background noise on audio clips.
• WavePad – another good option for beginners that comes with a lot of useful tools that also comes with a simpler interface than Audacity.

Regardless of which program you choose, most of the company websites provide free access to video tutorials and supporting documentation. There is also a wealth of online materials and professional blogs that offer useful tips to help you get started and to apply these programs effectively, or review the sources cited below that were used to write this page.

NOTE: Saving your project within the software is an important function if you need to set aside your editing work and come back to it. However, when you have finished editing everything, it is recommended that you export the entire audio file as a .wav or .mp4 file. Most editing software tools will have an Export or Share button. Click that button and select the appropriate file type to upload your podcast to the distribution platform mentioned in the assignment.

Adapting the Framework: Podcasts. Sweetland Center for Writing, College of Literature, Science, and Arts, University of Michigan; Podcast Assignments. Digital Transformations Hub. University of Nottingham; Creating Podcasts. Research Guides. McMaster University Libraries; Matason, Michael. Audio and Podcasting Projects. Georgetown University Library; Olmsted, Jill. Tools for Podcasting. Washington, DC: American University, 2019; Podcasting. Douglas College Library and Learning Centre; Podcasting Assignments. McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning, Princeton University; Starting Your Podcast: A Guide for Students. Washington, DC: National Public Radio; McCollom, Amanda. Assignment Packages: Podcast Projects. University of Delaware Library; Going Digital: Creating a Podcast Assignment. Teaching Technology Guides. University of Mary Washington; Creative Assignments: Podcasting. Academic Technology Solutions. University of Chicago; Podcast Guide. Keleher Learning Commons. University of Saint Mary; Podcast Rubric. University of Wisconsin, Stout; Livingston, Ruth. Advanced Public Speaking: Dynamics and Techniques. 2nd edition. Bloomington, IN: Xlibris, 2015.