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Expert Commentary

marijuana
Health

Covering marijuana: Research roundup and 7 tips for journalists

by Naseem S. Miller | October 7, 2022

As more states consider legalizing marijuana, consider these studies and tips on what’s known and unknown about the health effects of cannabis products.

Expert Commentary

Politics & Government

The role of local election officials: 5 studies to consider

by Clark Merrefield | October 6, 2022

We highlight recent research that can inform journalists who are reporting on precinct staffing challenges, bias in who gets help voting, and more.

Expert Commentary

percent change
Media

A tale of two math terms: An infographic story about when to use percent change vs. percentage-point change

by Clark Merrefield | October 5, 2022

Meanville, USA, was an average American town. Until one day, a local journalist had to figure the best way to explain how town administrators planned to spend a sudden windfall …

Expert Commentary

percent change percentage points math for journalists
Media

Percent change versus percentage-point change: What’s the difference? 4 tips for avoiding math errors

by Denise-Marie Ordway | October 5, 2022

Many people get ‘percent change’ and ‘percentage-point change’ confused. Use this tip sheet, featuring insights from data journalism pioneer Jennifer LaFleur, to get it right.

Expert Commentary

voting rights
Politics & Government, Race & Gender

Election Beat 2022: How state laws threaten and weaken voting rights in the US

by Thomas E. Patterson | October 4, 2022

In the lead-up to the Nov. 8 midterm elections, journalists might want to keep an eye on how state laws are weakening voting rights, writes media scholar Thomas Patterson.

Expert Commentary

voter registration deadlines
Politics & Government

Election Beat 2022: Don’t forget to cover voter registration deadlines

by Thomas E. Patterson | September 27, 2022

In the lead-up to the Nov. 8 midterm elections in the U.S., it’s important for journalists to remind their audiences of voter registration deadlines in each state, writes media scholar Thomas Patterson.

Expert Commentary

Arm reaching to pick a red bell pepper from a bunch of red and yellow bell peppers
Health, Race & Gender

Food insecurity and food deserts in the US: A research roundup and explainer

by Naseem S. Miller | September 27, 2022

The food landscape in the U.S. has changed since the first White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health was held 53 years ago. We summarize several studies that show the link between food insecurity and health and include resources for journalists.

Expert Commentary

credit scores
Economics

Credit scores: Research sheds light on how they inform lending and hiring decisions in the United States

by Clark Merrefield | September 23, 2022

Credit scores can be a boon or a barrier for people seeking loans. Here, we highlight and explain recent research on credit tracking practices.

Expert Commentary

universal free school meals lunch
Education, Health

Offering free lunches for all students: Financial impacts on schools, families and grocery stores

by Denise-Marie Ordway | September 19, 2022

As lawmakers discuss the pros and cons of schools offering free lunches and breakfasts to all students, regardless of income, it’s important to know what the research says about the financial impacts.

Expert Commentary

nonprofit
Economics

Covering nonprofits: Questions, answers and tips for following the money

by Clark Merrefield | September 13, 2022

Are you new to reporting on the world of nonprofits? Keep reading to learn how to get started. Plus, check out related academic research and recent news investigations.

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  • Know Your ResearchTip sheets and explainers to help journalists understand academic research methods, find and recognize high-quality research, investigate scientific misconduct and research errors, and avoid missteps when reporting on new studies and public opinion polls

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Editors’ Picks

The national debt: How and why the US government borrows money
Economics, Politics & Government

The national debt: How and why the US government borrows money

June 25, 2025

The US government is paying $1 trillion a year in interest on its debt. With interest costs outpacing national defense spending, this piece will help journalists understand the public debt and explain it to audiences.

As Congress considers cuts to SNAP, we address 8 questions about this US federal nutrition program
Economics, Health, Politics & Government

As Congress considers cuts to SNAP, we address 8 questions about this US federal nutrition program

May 30, 2025

Here’s important background info and research to bolster news coverage of potential reductions in federal spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

ICE and hospitals: What does the removal of the 'protected areas' policy mean for hospitals?
Health, Politics & Government

ICE and hospitals: What does the removal of the ‘protected areas’ policy mean for hospitals?

May 21, 2025

Medical and legal experts have issued detailed guidelines on responding to the removal of a policy that protected health care facilities from immigration enforcement activities. The information helps journalists to report on their local hospitals and empower patients to know their rights.

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A project of Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center, The Journalist’s Resource curates, summarizes and contextualizes high-quality research on newsy public policy topics. We are supported by generous grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation, Lumina Foundation, and individual contributors.

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