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Expert Commentary

question order bias effect survey poll

Why journalists should look at question order when covering survey and poll results

by Denise-Marie Ordway | September 18, 2024

We explain how question order bias can affect how people answer questions. We also offer five tips to help journalists spot the problem.

Expert Commentary

Media, Politics & Government, Race & Gender

How the news media cover women in politics: 5 recent studies to know

by Clark Merrefield | September 11, 2024

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

presidential debates research aggression
Politics & Government

US presidential debates: 4 studies journalists need to read

by Denise-Marie Ordway | September 10, 2024

We gathered research to help journalists explain how presidential debates influence voters’ decisions. These papers look at aggressive behavior on stage, the likelihood candidates’ performance will change voters’ minds and other topics.

Expert Commentary

rain weather elections voter turnout
Environment, Politics & Government

Bad weather dampens Election Day turnout. Studies suggest mail ballots and other alternative voting methods can help.

by Denise-Marie Ordway | September 5, 2024

Rain, snow and other types of bad weather can discourage in-person voting. Recent research shows how expanding mail voting and early and absentee voting can reduce the impact.

Expert Commentary

warming
Environment, Politics & Government

Scientists are trying to figure out why 2023 was so hot. Here’s why you should care, even if you’re not a climate reporter.

by Clark Merrefield | September 4, 2024

This is what the research says on why 2023 was a record warm year and how climate predictions affect a range of news beats, from agriculture to aviation. Plus, 3 tips for covering and localizing climate change stories.

Expert Commentary

Media, Politics & Government

Election Beat 2024: Where are the issues?

by Thomas E. Patterson | September 3, 2024

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

red wine
Health, Media

Is alcohol good or bad for you? Yes.

by Kenneth Mukamal and Eric R. Rimm | August 29, 2024

It’s all more nuanced than headlines (including this one) suggest.

Expert Commentary

A yellow warning sign that reads, "caution, wet floor."
Health

Accidental falls in the older adult population: What academic research shows

by Naseem S. Miller | August 28, 2024

Each year, more than 1 in 4 older adults in the U.S. report falling and 1 in 10 are injured from a fall. This research-based explainer explores disparities, prevention efforts and costs associated with falls.

Expert Commentary

school vaccination requirements journalism tips
Education, Health, Media

6 tips for covering school vaccination requirements, vaccine exemptions and undervaccination

by Denise-Marie Ordway | August 19, 2024

We asked health and communication researchers for advice to help journalists cover school vaccination requirements in the U.S. amid a rise in measles cases and a push by some lawmakers to let more unvaccinated students enroll.

Expert Commentary

childhood vaccinations student immunization schools research
Education, Health, Politics & Government

Routine childhood vaccinations and changing school requirements: A primer and research roundup

by Denise-Marie Ordway | August 13, 2024

We examine research to help journalists report on strategies to increase childhood vaccinations as the political divide in Americans’ attitudes toward vaccines widens.

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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

Medicaid: A guide to understanding and covering potential cuts to the program
Health, Politics & Government

Medicaid: A guide to understanding and covering potential cuts to the program

April 30, 2025

To help finance trillions of dollars in tax cuts, Congressional Republicans are looking to cut hundreds of billions of dollars in spending, which could impact Medicaid. We provide background, resources and research on the policies under consideration.

Expert Commentary

ICE’s recent detention data: What journalists need to understand
Politics & Government

ICE’s recent detention data: What journalists need to understand

April 21, 2025

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s detained population flatlined in April, but there’s more to the numbers than meets the eye. It’s time to level up our understanding of detention data.

Childhood vaccines: What research shows about their safety and potential side effects
Health, Politics & Government

Childhood vaccines: What research shows about their safety and potential side effects

February 26, 2025

In this piece, we share reporting tips, explain how vaccine side effects are tracked in the U.S., and discuss research on the safety of childhood vaccines.

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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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