Gannett director tries to get students excited about research

Dr. Reggie Murphy has a simple message: Everyone is a researcher, whether they know it or not.

Murphy, director of research services for the media firm Gannett Co. Inc., brought that message to Southeast Missouri State University on Sunday night as he spoke at the ninth annual Michael Davis Lecture, sponsored by the Department of Communication.

Murphy said that to understand people, the media should conduct research and get to know people. "In the media industry, you have to be concerned about consumers," he said. "The consumer is at the core of all we do."

That research is important because it can help people understand the world and how others think and believe, Murphy said.

Murphy said that he had learned from conducting focus groups for USA Today and other media companies that people all filtered information through their own biases, beliefs, values and experiences. He urged students to take the time to get to know people and not to sit back and make assumptions based on stereotypes.

"If we try to understand the world, we will not lump people into categories," he said.

Dr. Karie Hollerbach, assistant professor of communication at Southeast, said she first heard Murphy speak at a conference in July, and decided to get him to lecture at Southeast.

"I told him I'd love to have him come and meet students and explain to them how research helps develop our understanding of the world," she said.

Senior Jaie Bell, a media studies major, said Murphy "got his points established, and made them very clear. I really enjoyed it."

Murphy said he was pleased to be able to speak at Southeast and try to get students excited about research.

"Most of the time, when you say, 'research,' everybody groans," he said. "I want to present to students examples of how research can not only help businesses, but can enrich their lives as well."

Murphy urged those present to practice research in areas of their lives.

"Start tonight," he said. "Get to know someone. Ask them about the quality of their lives. You'll be surprised at the information you can get."

Murphy previously worked as marketing research manager for USA Today, and presents seminars on media and marketing at universities nationwide. He also teaches media management and research courses at George Washington University.

The Michael Davis Lecture is presented every year in honor of Michael Davis, a mass communications student at Southeast who died as the result of a hazing incident in 1994.