Research tip sheets: Lessons on online search techniques, reading studies, understanding data and methods
Curriculum overview with links to a variety of materials that help foster basic research competencies.
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.
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Major administrative datasets of the U.S. government — all in one place
2014 list of data sources and tools from a range of federal agencies, courtesy of Katherine R. Smith, executive director of the Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics.
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Key data- and research-oriented government agencies that media members should know about
2014 overview of U.S. government offices and agencies that produce publically available data and reports and the tools they provide for accessing research.
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Regression analysis: A quick primer for media on a fundamental form of data crunching
From studies on the relationship between wages and well being to the financial benefits of political incumbency, scientific research frequently involves the technique of regression. We explain the basics.
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Research chat: Sarah Cohen of the New York Times on the state of data journalism and what reporters need to know
2014 conversation with a leading practitioner of data journalism. Cohen is editor of computer-assisted reporting at the New York Times and board president of Investigative Reporters & Editors.
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Academic research and studies: How they work and why journalists should care
Overview article that provides an introduction to the academic research world and explains how it can be leveraged by journalists.
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Math basics for journalists: Working with averages and percentages
Understanding numbers and conveying their meaning is part of being a journalist. You should have a working knowledge of arithmetic, be comfortable with statistics, percentages and more.
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Database checklist: Key academic research resources — both free and restricted
Article with links to key academic and research databases and a discussion of free/paid access issues.
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Advanced Internet research techniques: Five key lessons from Google
Overview of search lessons and techniques from Google, with a focus on how to locate scholarly and research-related resources.
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Research chat: Andrew Revkin on covering and using scholarship
Interview with longtime New York Times reporter and Dot Earth blogger Andrew Revkin
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