Research roundups, articles, explainers and tip sheets about how journalists report the news and how audiences consume it
Our periodic rundown of the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book is full of story ideas for reporters across beats. We reveal story pitches from the most recent release, including holiday decorator woes in the Midwest and grocery store staffing travails in Montana.
Expert Commentary
A new survey report is a valuable resource for local journalists in search of post-election analysis stories. The researchers share state-level data on whether respondents leaned on national vs. local news for information about the 2024 election — or whether they relied on news sources at all.
Expert Commentary
“Reporting on election night results may be the most pivotal task of the entire campaign season,” writes media scholar Thomas Patterson. He shares six tips for doing so carefully and responsibly.
Expert Commentary
In this recording of a recent webinar, journalists from The Associated Press and two large local newspapers share insights on how the AP calls races in the U.S, how the count and certification process works, and how reporters across the country use and convey that information.
Expert Commentary
Our 2024 election collection includes resources to help you cover surveys and opinion polls, voting issues, election administration issues, local elections, and ballot measure topics.
Expert Commentary
Want to learn about the benefits and pitfalls of poll and survey research? Read on for insights from a political scientist, a social psychologist, a statistician and an investigative journalist.
Expert Commentary
In the lead-up to Election Day 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 in this research-based commentary.
Expert Commentary
To help news outlets avoid biased coverage in the weeks before Election Day, we’re taking a close look at five recent studies assessing the state of gender bias in U.S. political reporting.
Expert Commentary
Media scholar Thomas Patterson’s assessment of 2024 U.S. presidential election news coverage reminds him of years past: too few stories focusing on policy issues, and too many focusing on polls and overblown controversies.
Expert Commentary
It’s all more nuanced than headlines (including this one) suggest.
Expert Commentary