‘Interview’ Your Data
How ProPublica Built an App to Track Government COVID Contracts
Derek Willis on following your suspicions and settling the debate of Python vs. R.
A FOIA Field Guide
When Filing Records Requests, Be Targeted and Organized
The New York Times’ Washington bureau FOIA coordinator offers an in-depth field guide for reporters on how to navigate federal and state public records requests.
Making Numbers Come Alive
The Tisha Thompson Rule: Explain the Data in One Sentence
Remember the human lives behind the data and illuminate the individual impact, urges award-winning data journalist.
How Data Journalists Track Politics
Investigations Into Politicians – And Anyone Else – Rely on These Basics
Know filing deadlines for the data you need, talk to people and make visualizations integral to your story.
A More Accurate View of America
Latest U.S. Census Data Reveals a More-Diverse Society Than Was Known
Census officials share new techniques and strategies that yield more accurate measures of race and ethnicity.
Putting the Count in Accountability
How Good Journalists Become Good Data Journalists: Spreadsheets
Creating an impactful data journalism story is as much about how you think as it is about technical tools.
Expanding Your Visual Range
How to Use Datawrapper to Deepen the Impact of Your Stories
A veteran data journalist explains how online graphics tools can help any reporter add visualizations to coverage.
Data Journalism That Engages Citizens
Accountability data journalism for an era when exposing corruption isn’t enough
Top data editor gives tips on how to transform data into stories that audiences can use to push for government or accountability.
If The Going Gets Tough, Keep Going
The Best Investigative Projects Are Worth the Effort
A New York Times journalist offers tips on where to find good investigative story ideas and how to make the most of them.
Scooping the US Tax System
In Covering Taxes, What’s Legal is Often as Much a Story as What’s Illegal
James B. Steele won two Pulitzer Prizes for his coverage of the U.S. tax system. As the debate over taxation heats up, he shares tips and investigative strategies.
Backgrounding People and Businesses
How to Find Information on Anyone
Two top investigative reporters share tips on how to dig up information on people and businesses. “There is no such thing as privacy,” one says.
The Burden of Proof
A Prizewinning Journalist and Author Shares Tips for Bulletproofing Investigative Stories
Diana B. Henriques has tackled some of the most complicated business stories of recent years, including Bernie Madoff and Wall Street’s crash on Black Monday. Here’s how she makes sure she can feel secure in her reporting.
Who Got Those Federal Contracts?
ProPublica Reporter Explains How to Follow the Dollars on Federal COVID Contracts
Government contractors were paid $38 billion to supply everything from vaccines to surgical gowns. Several untested firms struggled to deliver their orders. Here’s how to track the money.
How to Track Trillions in COVID Relief
Using PPP and Other Data to Pinpoint Who Got Stimulus Money
Good Jobs First has built a data storehouse that compiles payments to companies, as well as whether recipients of taxpayer money have run afoul of laws or regulations. POGO has built a COVID tracker that shows trillions in other pandemic spending. Here’s how to use both sites.
Tracking Copycat Bills
50 States, 50 Bills – Many of Them Identical. Tools for Investigating Cut-and-Paste Legislation.
Lobbyists work the corridors of statehouses nationwide, writing into law their pet bills and then replicating those bills from capital to capital. A Center for Public Integrity reporter explains how he tracked it. Plus: Other statehouse resources.
Helping Journalists Battle Disinformation
How to Track the Spread of Misleading and Fake Information
Two experts on disinformation explain why fake stories about the COVID vaccine have taken hold in some communities – and how reporters can track them.
NPF Guide to Tracking COVID Cash
Investigative and Data Journalism Tips for Following the Pandemic Stimulus Money
NPF has published a guidebook to help journalists track taxpayer spending on pandemic relief. It includes useful databases, videos on how to use Excel, Python and other data tools and pro tips from leading investigative journalists.
Book Review: Uncovering Sexual Harassment
How Reporters Unmasked Harvey Weinstein – and Launched a Movement
Two New York Times reporters show both how to cover sexual harassment and how to execute an investigative story.
Stumbling into Investigations
How the Best Investigative Reporters Find and Execute Difficult Stories
Good investigation is a matter of both planning and luck – and being able to jump on the opportunity.
Digging Below the Surface
How FOIA, Persistence and Good Time Management Help Reporters Unearth Hidden Secrets
The best reporters in the business have a range of techniques – but there are some strategies and tactics they all share.
Using Data in Investigative Reporting
Learning Simple and Sophisticated Data Analysis Tools Can Boost Stories
Top investigative reporters share their advice on how to use data to find stories nobody else has.
Book Talk: Understanding Nixon – and the Art of Biography
Longtime Journalist Offers Tips on Making the Leap From Daily News to Writing Books
John Farrell spent decades in newsrooms. Now he spends his time in archives, including for his most recent book: a biography of Richard Nixon.
‘Shock and Awe’ – How to Dig up the Real Story
Impactful Reporting Needs Special Skills, Innovative Strategies and Patience
Some top investigative reporters share their advice on how to dig deep for stories that would otherwise remain hidden.
