Research

The notion that journalists are math phobic and prone to error when working with numbers is an age-old cliché, embodied in the quip that, for many in the media, the plural of anecdote is data.

The notion that journalism should become more data-driven — and get a little closer to social science — is not a completely new idea. The journalistic sub-field of computer-assisted reporting, embodied in the work of the Investigative Reporters and Editors’ NICAR program, has a long history.

When assessing academic studies, media members are often confronted by pages not only full of numbers, but also loaded with concepts such as “selection bias,” “p-value” and “statistical inference.”

While data journalism can take many forms, mapping is perhaps the most basic and accessible way to create meaning graphically to help audiences understand stories and issues in new ways. It is, of course, one of the oldest forms of data visualization, with a history that stretches back centuries, even millennia.

This post was adapted from VerificationJunkie, a site created by Josh Stearns of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. @jcstearns

The vast streams of digital data being produced are proving to be a goldmine for marketers and companies of all kinds, but they also are a promising source of information for journalists.

From modifying website interfaces to ensuring that metadata and contact information are clear and uniform, federal statistical agencies can better help news media and the public. A report for the Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology, 2014.

By John Wihbey, Assistant Director for Journalist’s Resource

Summary