Project Report: Developing data-driven journalistic products on higher education for the Vietnam Education Electronic Journal.

INFORMATION ABOUTGRADUATION PROJECTMASTER'S DEGREE

1. Student's full name: DOAN THI NHAN 2.Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: 02/09/2000

4. Place of birth:Long Nam hamlet, Quang Dong commune, Nghe An province

5. Decision on student admission No. 5915/QD-XHNV dated October 28, 2024, by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in the training process: None

7. Title of the topicprojectDeveloping data-driven journalistic products on higher education for the Vietnam Education e-Journal.

8. Major: Journalism (Applied Orientation); Code: 8320101

9. Scientific supervisor:

Dr. Nguyen Son Minh –Institute of Educational Strategy and Policy (Ministry of Education and Training)

Dr. Nguyen Dinh Hau -Institute of Journalism and Communication Training, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

10. Summary of project results:

In the context of digital transformation in journalism and the increasing abundance of publicly available data on higher education, developing data-driven journalistic products is essential to enhance the depth, transparency, and value of information. However, at the Vietnam Education Electronic Journal, this type of product has not yet been systematically developed. Based on this reality, this project focuses on assessing the conditions, developing processes, and conducting experimental production of data-driven journalistic products on higher education that are suitable for the Journal's resources.

Chapter 1 systematizes the theoretical, practical, and legal basis of data journalism in the field of higher education. Based on the identification of data as the central role, the project develops a 6-step production process, a product evaluation framework based on 5 groups of criteria, and uses a SWOT matrix to analyze the development conditions at the Journal.

Chapter 2 surveyed 519 works on higher education published in the Journal between November 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026, identifying 49 products that met the criteria for data journalism, accounting for 9.4%. The results showed that data had begun to participate in the content discovery process, but the themes were still focused, visualizations were mainly static, and interaction was lacking. Based on this, the project identified the necessary conditions, proposed eight groups of solutions, and outlined a suitable implementation roadmap.

Chapter 3 experimentally published 7 data-driven journalistic products between February 10, 2026, and July 24, 2026, exceeding the minimum target of 5 products. As of August 20, 2026, the products had achieved a total of 149,390 views, averaging 21,341 views per product. The experimental results show the feasibility of the process, while also highlighting limitations in analytical depth, interaction methods, and coordination mechanisms for further improvement.

The novelty of the project lies in building and testing a synchronized operational tool system, including an evaluation framework, production process, data warehouse model, implementation roadmap, and experimental products, suitable to the practical conditions of the Vietnam Education Electronic Journal. The research results provide a practical basis for the Journal to further standardize and expand the production of data-driven journalism on higher education.

11. Practical applications:

The project's results have the potential for direct application to content production at the Vietnam Education Electronic Journal. Initially, the six-step criteria and process can be used to select topics, determine data requirements, assign tasks, edit, and control product quality before publication. The consistent application of this process will help reduce errors in data collection, processing, comparison, and interpretation.

Furthermore, proposals related to organizing a Data Team, training personnel, upgrading the CMS, building a chart library, and developing interactive products can serve as a basis for the Journal to develop a phased investment plan. Through this, data-driven journalism production can gradually become more regular, professional, and relevant to the specific characteristics of higher education information.

For other media organizations, the evaluation framework, comprising five groups of criteria along with recommendations on human resources, technology, and implementation roadmap, can be used as a reference document, especially for specialized newsrooms or those of small and medium size. When applied, the model needs to be adapted to suit the content orientation, resources, and audience characteristics of each organization.

In addition, the seven experimental products provide systematized and visualized information on training, faculty, scientific research, finance, and university administration. This can serve as a supplementary reference source for management agencies, higher education institutions, researchers, and students, thereby contributing to increased information transparency and supporting policy discussions based on the data.

12. Future research directions:

Firstly, the scope and timeframe of the survey should be expanded to include other online news organizations in order to compare their production organization, presentation style, and level of development of data-driven journalistic products on higher education.

Secondly, research the needs, reception behavior, and level of interaction of each target audience group. The research results can serve as a basis for adjusting the theme, content structure, visualization format, and product distribution methods.

Third, continue testing and evaluating highly interactive formats such as lookup tables, data maps, higher education comparison tools, interactive graphics, and multimedia packages, while focusing on mobile experience.

Fourth, evaluate the effectiveness of upgrading the content management system (CMS), automating the update process, and applying artificial intelligence in data collection, cleaning, analysis, verification, and visualization. Along with this, research is needed on the organizational structure, coordination mechanisms, and resources for maintaining regular data streams at the Journal.

Fifth, research the feasibility of models for generating revenue from value-added data products, such as in-depth reports, periodic data newsletters, or paid content. Developing these models must simultaneously ensure journalistic independence and compliance with regulations on copyright, data protection, and access to information.

13. Published works related toproject:

INFORMATION ON PROJECT

1. Full name: DOANTHI NHAN.2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: September 2, 2000.     

4. Place of birth: Long Nam Hamlet, Quang Dong Commune, Nghe An Province, Vietnam

5. Admission decision number: Decision No. 5915/QD-XHNV dated October 28, 2024, issued by the Rector of VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities

6. Changes in academic process:None.

7. Official project title:Developing Data Journalism Products on Higher Education at the Vietnam Education Online Magazine

8. Major: Journalism (application-oriented)                 9. Code: 8320101

10. Supervisors:

Nguyen Son Minh, PhD – Institute of Educational Strategy and Policy (Ministry of Education and Training)

Nguyen Dinh Hau, PhD –Institute of Journalism and Communication Training (VNU-USSH)

11. Summary of the findings of the project:

In the context of digital transformation in journalism and the growing availability of public data on higher education, developing data journalism products has become necessary to enhance the depth, transparency, and informational value of journalistic content. However, this type of journalism had not been scientifically developed at the Vietnam Education Online Magazine (Vietnam Education Electronic Magazine). In response to this situation, the project focuses on assessing the necessary conditions, developing a production process, and experimentally producing data journalism products on higher education in line with the Magazine's available resources.

Chapter 1 systematizes the theoretical, practical, and legal foundations of data journalism in the field of higher education. Based on the principle that data plays a central role, the project developed a six-step production process and a product assessment framework including five groups of criteria. It also employed the SWOT matrix to analyze the conditions for developing data journalism products at the Magazine.

Chapter 2 surveys 519 journalistic works on higher education published by the Magazine from November 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026, identifying 49 products that meet the criteria for data journalism, accounting for 9.4%. The findings show that data had begun to play a role in generating journalistic findings; however, topic coverage remained concentrated, while visualizations were mostly static and minimized interactivity. On this basis, the project identified the necessary conditions and proposed eight groups of solutions together with an appropriate implementation roadmap.

Chapter 3 reported on the experimental production and publication of seven data journalism products from February 10 to July 24, 2026, exceeding the minimum target of five products. As of August 20, 2026, these products had received a total of 149,390 views, averaging 21,341 views per product. The experimental results demonstrate the considerations of the production process while also revealing limitations in analytical depth, interactive formats, and coordination mechanisms that need to be addressed through further refinement.

The project's novel contribution lies in developing and testing an integrated system of operational tools, including an assessment framework, a production process, a data repository model, an implementation roadmap, and experimental products, suited to the actual conditions of the Vietnam Education Online Magazine. The findings provide a practical basis for the Magazine to continue standardizing and expanding the production of data journalism products on higher education.

12. Practical applicability, if any:

The project findings can be directly applied to content production at the Vietnam Education Online Magazine. In the short term, the assessment criteria and six-step process can be used to select topics, define data requirements, assign tasks, edit content, and control product quality before publication. Consistent application of this process can help reduce errors in data collection, processing, comparison, and interpretation.

In addition, the proposals dealing with the establishment of a Data Team, staff training, CMS upgrades, the development of a chart library, and interactive products can provide a basis for the Magazine to plan its investment in phases. These measures can support the gradual development of more regular and professional data journalism production suited to the characteristics of higher education information.

For other news organizations, the five-group assessment framework and the recommendations on personnel, technology, and implementation roadmaps may serve as useful references, particularly for specialized or small- and medium-sized newsrooms. When applied, the model should be adapted to each organization's editorial orientation, resources, and audience characteristics.

The seven experimental products also provide systematized and visualized information on training, academic staff, scientific research, finance, and university administration. They may serve as supplementary reference sources for education authorities, higher education institutions, researchers, and learners, thereby contributing to greater information transparency and supporting data-informed policy discussions.

13. Further research directions, if any:

First, the scope and time frame of the survey should be extended to other online news organizations to compare production arrangements, presentation formats, and levels of development of data journalism products on higher education.

Second, further research should examine the needs, reception behavior, and engagement levels of different audience groups. The findings could provide a basis for refining topic selection, content structure, visualization formats, and product distribution methods.

Third, future studies should continue to test and evaluate highly interactive formats, such as searchable databases, data maps, higher education institution comparison tools, interactive graphics, and multimedia packages, with particular attention to the user experience on mobile devices.

Fourth, research should evaluate the effectiveness of CMS upgrades, automated updating, and the use of artificial intelligence in data collection, cleaning, analysis, verification, and visualization. It should also examine organizational structures, coordination mechanisms, and the resources required to maintain periodic data series at the Magazine.

Fifth, further research should assess the considerations of revenue models based on value-added data products, such as in-depth reports, periodic data newsletters, or paid content. Such models should preserve editorial independence and comply with applicable requirements regarding copyright, data protection, and the right of access to information.

14. Thesis-related publications: