Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Assignments

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A podcast is an audio episode of a serial or stand-alone program that provides an in-depth exploration of a specific subject or subjects 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 podcast 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 presentation. A podcast assignment may require submission of the program transcript, a portfolio of supporting materials, such as, a 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 will be evaluated and graded.

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

• Encouraging ingenuity in how to present the podcast using sound effects and other 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 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; 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).

How to Approach Creating a Podcast

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 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 sources 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 podcast assignments state who the intended audience is for your podcast. This establishes the context and focus of your podcast. Assignments can describe a specific audience [e.g., listeners interested in healthcare policies supporting new immigrants] or a more general audience [e.g., any listener interested in Los Angeles city politics]. In both cases, think about the issue you discuss in the context of 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 present your podcast.
• Listening to Other Podcasts. Locate and listen to podcasts that discuss the same general topic you are interested in or that directly 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, podcasts that 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, an outline can help you think about the organization and eventual contents of your project and help predict the overall structure and flow of the program.

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; Creative Assignments: Podcasting. Academic Technology Solutions. University of Chicago; Podcast Guide. Keleher Learning Commons. University of Saint Mary; Podcast Rubric. University of Wisconsin, Stout.

Organizing the Content of Your Podcast

After drafting a basic outline of your podcast, the next step is to decide what specific content you want in the program and the sequence of your delivery. However, this is not 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 original outline. This is normal and an inherent part of any creative process. However, do not let the focus on creativity overtake a podcast's central purpose to discuss a topic in a way that inspires, persuades, and educates listeners.

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 the what is discussed?
• What audio elements do you need to find or 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 that will help you structure the program by listing each segment, the amount of time they will be, and a space for notes about the key points you want to highlight and any possible sound effects you would like 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*, a podcast planning worksheet could include the following segments:

1. Teaser [optional] – this opening refers to a provocative statement or quote, special sound effects, or an urgent call to action that acts 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, and explain why the topic is important for listeners to hear. 
3. Theme/Interlude Music – this is a common place where music or sound effects can be used to establish the mood of the podcast through a piece of music or sound effects.
4. Setup/Overview – this segment establishes the tone [i.e., creates the quality, feeling, or attitude by a manner of speaking] of the program and previews the remaining contents of the program.
5. Topic – this is the main segment of your program. 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 by offering a critical assessment of the topic and summarize opinions presented and any key issues discussed.
7. Outro – this term refers to the short, distinct closing section at the end of a program [i.e., the conclusion]. It is when you give credit to anyone who helped you create the podcast and state expressions of gratitude to any guests or people you interviewed and thank 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 where these elements can be used most effectively to enhance the overall quality of the podcast.

A Note About Interviews

If you plan to interview one or more people during your podcast, it is important to begin thinking about who to interview as early as possible. Even if you intend to just have a conversation with the respondent, it is still important to think about the list of questions you want to ask. 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 continue the conversation and help draw out more detail or insight from the respondent.

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 openings such as "describe the..." or "tell me about...." This form of inquiry requires the respondent to pause, think, and reflect before expressing their feelings, opinions, or ideas. These types of responses are more likely help the listener obtain additional context and understanding about the topic. In short, open-ended questions lead to open-ended responses.

Examples of open-ended questions that elicit detailed responses can be:

• Tell me your experience 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...?

In addition, when composing open-ended questions, avoid prompts or extra statements that can lead to the desired answer. Ask simple and precise questions to ensure unbiased and meaningful responses.

NOTE: The process of identifying, contacting, scheduling, interviewing, and selecting what parts of respondent's answers to incorporate into your podcast can be challenging to manage because the time needed to complete the interview depends on factors outside of your control [e.g., scheduling]. Given this, be sure to set aside enough time early in the planning process to complete an interview for your podcast. Always have a backup plan in case the scheduled interview does not happen for come reason.

ANOTHER NOTE: The method and setting where you conduct the interview is important. If it is in-person, choose a place that is quiet and does not have any background noise. If you believe background sound may enhance that interaction between you and the respondent, add it later. Also, check that your recording device is working properly. If you conduct the interview remotely using Zoom or a similar platform, make sure you have a strong internet connection and that you enable the audio transcription feature so you can paraphrase certain responses where the respondent gave good information or insight, but answered in an awkward or unclear way.

* McCollom, Amanda. Podcast Projects: Podcast Planning Worksheet. University of Delaware Library.

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; 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; 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.

Delvering Your Podcast

After you have compiled the content of your podcast, the final step is to record and edit the content of your program. Focus on...

Problems to Avoid

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; Creative Assignments: Podcasting. Academic Technology Solutions. University of Chicago; Podcast Guide. Keleher Learning Commons. University of Saint Mary; Podcast Rubric. University of Wisconsin, Stout.