Introducing The Journalist’s Resource reader quiz
Brush up on some of the topics we’ve covered recently — and show off what you know.
Know Your Research
Tip 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.
Expert Commentary
Story ideas from the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book: April 2025
Our semi-regular rundown of the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book is full of story ideas for reporters across beats. The April edition spotlights key economic trends by region, including a New Jersey salon struggling to find qualified hires, and declining tourism from Canada and Mexico across the U.S.
Expert Commentary
As the US government removes health websites and data, here’s a list of non-government data alternatives and archives
We have curated a list of non-government websites with health databases. We’ll continue to update this list.
Expert Commentary
How to read this study: A meta-analysis on the impact of fluoride levels on children’s IQ scores
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that more exposure to fluoride may be linked to lower intelligence scores in children. We share 11 tips on how to read a meta-analysis.
Expert Commentary
Story ideas from the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book: December 2024
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
5 basic things journalists need to know about polls and surveys
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
Why journalists should look at question order when covering survey and poll results
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
Carbon offsets: 4 things journalists need to understand
From our recent webinar with the nonprofit CarbonPlan, learn how voluntary carbon offset markets work and how journalists can use OffsetsDB, a free data repository, to check companies’ carbon neutrality and “net zero” claims.
Expert Commentary
What’s a nationally representative sample? 5 things you need to know to report accurately on research
Knowing what a nationally representative sample is — and isn’t — will help you avoid errors in covering clinical trials, opinion polls and other research.
Expert Commentary
Journalists should report on lax oversight of research data, says data sleuth
Uri Simonsohn, a behavioral scientist who coauthors the Data Colada blog, urges reporters to ask researchers about preregistration and expose opportunities for fraud.
Expert Commentary