Find a resource

Search our curated database of articles, guides, training programs, conferences, fellowships, and more.

The text search and filters will all narrow your results at the same time. If you aren’t seeing many results for a search, try clicking “Clear Filters” to see more options.

Find more tips for using this database at the Starter Guide page.

Library

Topic: Best practices
Card View List View
Resource Database / Guide

Ethics in Science Journalism

The Open Notebook

"Whether you're a seasoned journalist or you're just starting out, you're sure to encounter ethical questions in your work. This might involve ethical dilemmas when covering topics like animal research, or intentional language choices when covering topics like sexual misconduct and healthcare for trans youth. Reporting on sensitive subjects requires journalistic rigor and compassion, sensitivity toward sources, and emphasis on the larger goals behind your coverage. But the extra effort will pay off in making your stories more accurate, nuanced, and compelling."
Resource Database / Guide

Ethics in Science Journalism

Summary:
"Whether you're a seasoned journalist or you're just starting out, you're sure to encounter ethical questions in your work. This might involve ethical dilemmas when covering topics like animal research, or intentional language choices when covering topics like sexual misconduct and healthcare for trans youth. Reporting on sensitive subjects requires journalistic rigor and compassion, sensitivity toward sources, and emphasis on the larger goals behind your coverage. But the extra effort will pay off in making your stories more accurate, nuanced, and compelling."
Organization:

The Open Notebook

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

An Engineer’s Fatal Flaw: Why Accessibility Is the Ultimate Metric of Mastery

Association of Science Communicators

"If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, do you really understand it? In this guest piece, Maggi Richard challenges the esoteric tone of academic publishing. From sci-fi tropes to gold standard examples, she explores why accessibility – not complexity – is the true mark of mastery. By approaching communication training with the same rigor we apply to calculus, scientists can ensure their breakthroughs reach the general public with clarity. Read the full blog post to discover how breaking down technical barricades can help raise the global standard of innovation."
Article

An Engineer’s Fatal Flaw: Why Accessibility Is the Ultimate Metric of Mastery

Summary:
"If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, do you really understand it? In this guest piece, Maggi Richard challenges the esoteric tone of academic publishing. From sci-fi tropes to gold standard examples, she explores why accessibility – not complexity – is the true mark of mastery. By approaching communication training with the same rigor we apply to calculus, scientists can ensure their breakthroughs reach the general public with clarity. Read the full blog post to discover how breaking down technical barricades can help raise the global standard of innovation."
Organization:

Association of Science Communicators

Author:

Maggi Richard

Published By:

A Science Blog

Date:

March 9, 2026

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Rare Disease Reporting Guide

National Press Foundation (NPF)

"Rare disease researchers, patients and caregivers alike often welcome news media coverage to bring awareness to conditions that, despite the term 'rare,' collectively impact more than 300 million people worldwide. However, journalists should take special considerations in both the newsgathering and reporting process to treat subjects ethically and best serve audiences. "
Resource Database / Guide

Rare Disease Reporting Guide

Summary:
"Rare disease researchers, patients and caregivers alike often welcome news media coverage to bring awareness to conditions that, despite the term 'rare,' collectively impact more than 300 million people worldwide. However, journalists should take special considerations in both the newsgathering and reporting process to treat subjects ethically and best serve audiences. "
Organization:

National Press Foundation (NPF)

Category:
For:
VISIT
Video

Climate Journalism Needs Solutions Journalism. Here’s How To Do It.

"Too many people who care deeply about climate are switching off news about it. The answer isn't good news or hyping tech that may never arrive at scale. Instead, it's solutions reporting — in-depth reporting on responses to problems, how those responses work, and what we can all learn from the attempts. Doing it well means skipping the hype and a relentless focus on the problem in favor of context and depth, exploring solutions in process without overpromising. ‪@ClimateAdam‬ explains how any journalist can do this ... especially on video."
Video

Climate Journalism Needs Solutions Journalism. Here’s How To Do It.

Summary:
"Too many people who care deeply about climate are switching off news about it. The answer isn't good news or hyping tech that may never arrive at scale. Instead, it's solutions reporting — in-depth reporting on responses to problems, how those responses work, and what we can all learn from the attempts. Doing it well means skipping the hype and a relentless focus on the problem in favor of context and depth, exploring solutions in process without overpromising. ‪@ClimateAdam‬ explains how any journalist can do this ... especially on video."
Published By:

Solutions Journalism Network and ClimateAdam

Date:

February 11, 2026

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Tips for Choosing Climate Stories that Make an Impact

This article compiles case studies and best practices for approaching climate and environmental investigations from four veteran environmental journalists, despite widespread misinformation and climate skepticism around the world.
Article

Tips for Choosing Climate Stories that Make an Impact

Summary:
This article compiles case studies and best practices for approaching climate and environmental investigations from four veteran environmental journalists, despite widespread misinformation and climate skepticism around the world.
Author:

Rowan Philp

Published By:

Global Investigative Journalism Network

Date:

February 9, 2026

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Reporting on Flaws in Science in an Era of Mistrust

"Covering issues of scientific integrity, such as fraud, fabricated data, or problematic publishing practices, is particularly challenging in political climates where science is under attack. Journalists may worry that stories shining a light on scientific misconduct may stoke public mistrust in science or be weaponized to justify cuts to the research enterprise. Maintaining good journalism practices is one way to avoid fueling mistrust as you cover flaws in science." Also available in Spanish.
Article

Reporting on Flaws in Science in an Era of Mistrust

Summary:
"Covering issues of scientific integrity, such as fraud, fabricated data, or problematic publishing practices, is particularly challenging in political climates where science is under attack. Journalists may worry that stories shining a light on scientific misconduct may stoke public mistrust in science or be weaponized to justify cuts to the research enterprise. Maintaining good journalism practices is one way to avoid fueling mistrust as you cover flaws in science." Also available in Spanish.
Author:

Cathleen O'Grady

Published By:

The Open Notebook

Date:

February 10, 2026

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Seeing Science Through the Noise: A Conversation With Mr. Bruce Goldman

Science writer Bruce Goldman has, over decades, "covered subjects ranging from immunology and transplantation to neuroscience, neurosurgery, bioengineering, and structural biology, helping bring the latest research into clear and engaging stories for the public." In this article, he shares his thoughts on "clarity, skepticism, and what science writers owe their readers."  
Article

Seeing Science Through the Noise: A Conversation With Mr. Bruce Goldman

Summary:
Science writer Bruce Goldman has, over decades, "covered subjects ranging from immunology and transplantation to neuroscience, neurosurgery, bioengineering, and structural biology, helping bring the latest research into clear and engaging stories for the public." In this article, he shares his thoughts on "clarity, skepticism, and what science writers owe their readers."  
Published By:

NeuroKnow

Date:

January 7, 2026

Category:
For:
VISIT
Video

Advancing High-Quality Science Journalism: Challenges and Pathways Forward

National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine

"This [National Academies] webinar examined the challenges of reporting on science in today's landscape and surfaced the needs and opportunities for strengthening science, health, and medical journalism. The archived video and resources from the panelists are now available online."
Video

Advancing High-Quality Science Journalism: Challenges and Pathways Forward

Summary:
"This [National Academies] webinar examined the challenges of reporting on science in today's landscape and surfaced the needs and opportunities for strengthening science, health, and medical journalism. The archived video and resources from the panelists are now available online."
Organization:

National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine

Date:

November 13, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Video

How To Communicate Scientific Significance and Quality In Your Publications

European Geosciences Union

"Terms like scientific quality and significance are widely used by journals to evaluate submitted papers, but what do they really mean? In this webinar our guest speaker, Ken Carslaw, co-Chief Executive Editor of the EGU journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, will outline how journals interpret these terms. By the end of the webinar you will have a comprehension of which indicators-of-quality journals are looking for and how you can improve on them to level up your writing."
Video

How To Communicate Scientific Significance and Quality In Your Publications

Summary:
"Terms like scientific quality and significance are widely used by journals to evaluate submitted papers, but what do they really mean? In this webinar our guest speaker, Ken Carslaw, co-Chief Executive Editor of the EGU journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, will outline how journals interpret these terms. By the end of the webinar you will have a comprehension of which indicators-of-quality journals are looking for and how you can improve on them to level up your writing."
Organization:

European Geosciences Union

Date:

November 11, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

How To Spot Predatory Journals: 4 Tips and 2 Checklists

"It’s important for journalists to be aware of predatory journals because such journals pose a threat to the integrity of science journalism." See also: "Study Sheds Light on Journalists’ Knowledge of Predatory Journals."
Article

How To Spot Predatory Journals: 4 Tips and 2 Checklists

Summary:
"It’s important for journalists to be aware of predatory journals because such journals pose a threat to the integrity of science journalism." See also: "Study Sheds Light on Journalists’ Knowledge of Predatory Journals."
Author:

Naseem S. Miller

Published By:

The Journalist’s Resource

Date:

September 30, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Into the Wild: Reporting on Human-Wildlife Interactions

"Wildlife stories are among the most captivating science journalism has to offer. Images of safari vehicles interrupting cheetahs’ kills or whales overturning boats go viral. But these photos don’t tell the whole story. Media sometimes portray such encounters as freak accidents or one-off spectacles—as if human encroachment had nothing to do with them. Too often, journalists overlook the context surrounding these interactions in their reporting."
Article

Into the Wild: Reporting on Human-Wildlife Interactions

Summary:
"Wildlife stories are among the most captivating science journalism has to offer. Images of safari vehicles interrupting cheetahs’ kills or whales overturning boats go viral. But these photos don’t tell the whole story. Media sometimes portray such encounters as freak accidents or one-off spectacles—as if human encroachment had nothing to do with them. Too often, journalists overlook the context surrounding these interactions in their reporting."
Author:

Jacob Kushner

Published By:

The Open Notebook

Date:

December 5, 2023

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

How To Read a Scientific Paper

"Here’s how to decode any research paper. These tips and tricks will work whether you’re covering developmental biology or deep-space exploration. The key is to familiarize yourself with the framework in which scientists describe their discoveries, and to not let yourself get bogged down in detail as you’re trying to understand the overarching point of it all."
Article

How To Read a Scientific Paper

Summary:
"Here’s how to decode any research paper. These tips and tricks will work whether you’re covering developmental biology or deep-space exploration. The key is to familiarize yourself with the framework in which scientists describe their discoveries, and to not let yourself get bogged down in detail as you’re trying to understand the overarching point of it all."
Author:

Alexandra Witze

Published By:

The Open Notebook

Date:

November 6, 2018

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Reporting on Psychedelics Research or Legislation? Proceed With Caution

"Despite the hype, optimism and legislation involving the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, researchers warn that there's much we don't know. This research roundup looks at some of the knowns and unknowns of psilocybin, MDMA and other hallucinogens."
Article

Reporting on Psychedelics Research or Legislation? Proceed With Caution

Summary:
"Despite the hype, optimism and legislation involving the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, researchers warn that there's much we don't know. This research roundup looks at some of the knowns and unknowns of psilocybin, MDMA and other hallucinogens."
Author:

Naseem S. Miller

Published By:

The Journalist's Resource

Date:

February 27, 2024

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Q&A on the 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccines

"Amid confusion over this year’s updated COVID-19 vaccines, we [FactCheck.org] explain what’s different this year and who experts say should get vaccinated."
Article

Q&A on the 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccines

Summary:
"Amid confusion over this year’s updated COVID-19 vaccines, we [FactCheck.org] explain what’s different this year and who experts say should get vaccinated."
Author:

Kate Yandell

Published By:

FactCheck.org

Date:

October 10, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Podcast

How To Cover Science Under Trump

Undark

"In this episode [of the Entanglements podcast], hosts Brooke Borel and Anna Rothschild talk to Tom Zeller Jr., Undark’s editor-in-chief, about covering science under the Trump administration."
Podcast

How To Cover Science Under Trump

Summary:
"In this episode [of the Entanglements podcast], hosts Brooke Borel and Anna Rothschild talk to Tom Zeller Jr., Undark’s editor-in-chief, about covering science under the Trump administration."
Organization:

Undark

Date:

October 8, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

When Prestige Trumps Quality in Science Reporting

"In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly and scientific credibility is under constant scrutiny, the choices science journalists make about which studies to cover matter more than ever. Journal reputation, impact factors and perceived prestige often shape these decisions – but at what cost to diversity, accuracy and public trust in science? To explore how reporters navigate these reputation-driven cues, Technology Networks spoke with Alice Fleerackers, PhD, assistant professor of journalism and civic engagement in the Department of Media Studies at the University of Amsterdam, whose work examines how journalists assess the trustworthiness of scientific journals. Fleerackers sheds light on the hidden dynamics behind science reporting, the risks of over-relying on prestige and how critical research literacy could reshape the future of science communication."
Article

When Prestige Trumps Quality in Science Reporting

Summary:
"In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly and scientific credibility is under constant scrutiny, the choices science journalists make about which studies to cover matter more than ever. Journal reputation, impact factors and perceived prestige often shape these decisions – but at what cost to diversity, accuracy and public trust in science? To explore how reporters navigate these reputation-driven cues, Technology Networks spoke with Alice Fleerackers, PhD, assistant professor of journalism and civic engagement in the Department of Media Studies at the University of Amsterdam, whose work examines how journalists assess the trustworthiness of scientific journals. Fleerackers sheds light on the hidden dynamics behind science reporting, the risks of over-relying on prestige and how critical research literacy could reshape the future of science communication."
Author:

Isabel Ely

Published By:

Technology Networks

Date:

September 12, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

“I’d Like To Think I’d Be Able To Spot One”: How Journalists Navigate Predatory Journals

"Predatory journals—or journals that prioritize profits over editorial and publication best practices—are becoming more common, raising concerns about the integrity of the scholarly record. Such journals also pose a threat for the integrity of science journalism, as journalists may unwillingly report on low-quality or even highly flawed studies published in these venues. This study sheds light on how journalists navigate this challenging publishing landscape through a qualitative analysis of interviews with 23 health, science, and environmental journalists from Europe and North America about their perceptions of predatory journals and strategies for ensuring the journals they report on are trustworthy. We find that journalists have relatively limited awareness and/or concern about predatory journals. Much of this attitude is due to confidence in their established practices for avoiding problematic research, which largely centre on perceptions of journal prestige, reputation, and familiarity, as well as writing quality and professionalism. Most express limited awareness of how their trust heuristics may discourage them from reporting on smaller, newer, and open access journals, especially those based in the Global South. We discuss implications for the accuracy and diversity of the science news that reaches the public."
Article

“I’d Like To Think I’d Be Able To Spot One”: How Journalists Navigate Predatory Journals

Summary:
"Predatory journals—or journals that prioritize profits over editorial and publication best practices—are becoming more common, raising concerns about the integrity of the scholarly record. Such journals also pose a threat for the integrity of science journalism, as journalists may unwillingly report on low-quality or even highly flawed studies published in these venues. This study sheds light on how journalists navigate this challenging publishing landscape through a qualitative analysis of interviews with 23 health, science, and environmental journalists from Europe and North America about their perceptions of predatory journals and strategies for ensuring the journals they report on are trustworthy. We find that journalists have relatively limited awareness and/or concern about predatory journals. Much of this attitude is due to confidence in their established practices for avoiding problematic research, which largely centre on perceptions of journal prestige, reputation, and familiarity, as well as writing quality and professionalism. Most express limited awareness of how their trust heuristics may discourage them from reporting on smaller, newer, and open access journals, especially those based in the Global South. We discuss implications for the accuracy and diversity of the science news that reaches the public."
Author:

Alice Fleerackers, Laura L. Moorhead and Juan Pablo Alperin

Published By:

Journalism Practice

Date:

September 2, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

How To Cover the Ongoing Confusion Over COVID Vaccines

"The confusion around COVID vaccine recommendations and access in the fall of 2025 is reminiscent of the first months of 2021 when the vaccines first became available. Back then, most access barriers arose from logistical and supply-chain issues. Now, barriers have been created by HHS policy (or lack thereof) and a patchwork of laws in different states and jurisdictions that have created confusion about how people can legally access the vaccines. The confusion in 2021 felt familiar, relatively speaking, for journalists who have covered any vaccine rollout, which usually involves some hiccups and uncertainty. The new quagmire of COVID vaccine access is more challenging to cover because it’s a moving target, with circumstances changing by the day. Even the people who are supposed to know what’s going on — pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, physicians, and public health experts — aren’t sure what will happen next. All this uncertainty makes the role of journalists more crucial than ever in helping audiences decide whether they should get the new COVID vaccine and helping them understand the barriers they might encounter, why those barriers exist, and how, if possible, they can navigate them. These tips can help journalists deliver the information their audiences need now."  
Article

How To Cover the Ongoing Confusion Over COVID Vaccines

Summary:
"The confusion around COVID vaccine recommendations and access in the fall of 2025 is reminiscent of the first months of 2021 when the vaccines first became available. Back then, most access barriers arose from logistical and supply-chain issues. Now, barriers have been created by HHS policy (or lack thereof) and a patchwork of laws in different states and jurisdictions that have created confusion about how people can legally access the vaccines. The confusion in 2021 felt familiar, relatively speaking, for journalists who have covered any vaccine rollout, which usually involves some hiccups and uncertainty. The new quagmire of COVID vaccine access is more challenging to cover because it’s a moving target, with circumstances changing by the day. Even the people who are supposed to know what’s going on — pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, physicians, and public health experts — aren’t sure what will happen next. All this uncertainty makes the role of journalists more crucial than ever in helping audiences decide whether they should get the new COVID vaccine and helping them understand the barriers they might encounter, why those barriers exist, and how, if possible, they can navigate them. These tips can help journalists deliver the information their audiences need now."  
Author:

Tara Haelle

Published By:

Association of Health Care Journalists

Date:

September 10, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

How To Cover Environmental Exposure Studies

"Journalists play a big role in which risks get amplified versus downplayed, for better or worse. We are best poised to help the public determine what they should and shouldn’t freak out about. ... This tip sheet discusses best practices specifically for writing about environmental exposure studies."
Article

How To Cover Environmental Exposure Studies

Summary:
"Journalists play a big role in which risks get amplified versus downplayed, for better or worse. We are best poised to help the public determine what they should and shouldn’t freak out about. ... This tip sheet discusses best practices specifically for writing about environmental exposure studies."
Author:

Tara Haelle

Published By:

Association of Health Care Journalists

Date:

November 1, 2024

Category:
VISIT
Article

Where Science Journalism and Communication Converge, and What It Means for Trust

"Stagnant freelance rates have pushed some established journalists toward better-paying communication roles. Meanwhile, a new generation of creators often blends both disciplines from the outset in a media landscape with fewer specialized jobs. This convergence raises questions about journalistic independence, ethical boundaries, and how audiences can distinguish between impartial reporting and paid messaging — especially as social media platforms become primary sources of information."
Article

Where Science Journalism and Communication Converge, and What It Means for Trust

Summary:
"Stagnant freelance rates have pushed some established journalists toward better-paying communication roles. Meanwhile, a new generation of creators often blends both disciplines from the outset in a media landscape with fewer specialized jobs. This convergence raises questions about journalistic independence, ethical boundaries, and how audiences can distinguish between impartial reporting and paid messaging — especially as social media platforms become primary sources of information."
Author:

Manuela Callari

Published By:

IJNet

Date:

July 7, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Storytelling for Scientists: When You Need It and What To Do

This article delves into "the general properties of science storytelling, its limitations and downsides, and then a little about specific tactics for creating different types of science content – from posters to presentations." Although, "a scientific article does not necessarily have to be a story. Its main purpose is different. Storytelling is just a tool, and it should be used wisely. You don’t have to try to make storytelling out of every article!"
Article

Storytelling for Scientists: When You Need It and What To Do

Summary:
This article delves into "the general properties of science storytelling, its limitations and downsides, and then a little about specific tactics for creating different types of science content – from posters to presentations." Although, "a scientific article does not necessarily have to be a story. Its main purpose is different. Storytelling is just a tool, and it should be used wisely. You don’t have to try to make storytelling out of every article!"
Author:

Zoe Chernova

Published By:

Research Hive

Date:

April 7, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Video

BioScience Talks: Science Storytelling, With Kristy Ferraro and Adam Meyer

American Institute of Biological Sciences

"For this episode of BioScience Talks, we were joined by Dr. Kristy Ferraro, who is a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Adam Meyer, a PhD candidate in the Ecosystem Ecology Lab, also at Memorial University. They were here to talk about their recent article in BioScience, 'Beyond hero and villain narratives in ecology and conservation science' (https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaf085), in which they discuss storytelling and narratives in science writing—and explain which approaches work best."
Video

BioScience Talks: Science Storytelling, With Kristy Ferraro and Adam Meyer

Summary:
"For this episode of BioScience Talks, we were joined by Dr. Kristy Ferraro, who is a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Adam Meyer, a PhD candidate in the Ecosystem Ecology Lab, also at Memorial University. They were here to talk about their recent article in BioScience, 'Beyond hero and villain narratives in ecology and conservation science' (https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaf085), in which they discuss storytelling and narratives in science writing—and explain which approaches work best."
Organization:

American Institute of Biological Sciences

Date:

July 16, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Eight Tips From Environmental Reporters in Covering Climate Crisis

"Eight environmental reporters across the U.S. described how they cover the climate crisis in these days where the media space is overloaded with unverified information and social distrust is growing. Some of these journalists have been working on the beat for just a few years, others for 25 years. The reporters gave advice for those who have just entered or may be thinking of entering into this growing field of climate journalism."
Article

Eight Tips From Environmental Reporters in Covering Climate Crisis

Summary:
"Eight environmental reporters across the U.S. described how they cover the climate crisis in these days where the media space is overloaded with unverified information and social distrust is growing. Some of these journalists have been working on the beat for just a few years, others for 25 years. The reporters gave advice for those who have just entered or may be thinking of entering into this growing field of climate journalism."
Author:

Nikita Ponomarenko

Published By:

Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute

Date:

July 7, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Science Writing and Story Structures

Erika Hayasaki writes from the 2024 National Association of Science Writers conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, offering resources and books from one of the panel discussions, plus "seven story structures that can be useful for thinking about longform pieces, as well as links to a few examples of each style."

Article

Science Writing and Story Structures

Summary:

Erika Hayasaki writes from the 2024 National Association of Science Writers conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, offering resources and books from one of the panel discussions, plus "seven story structures that can be useful for thinking about longform pieces, as well as links to a few examples of each style."

Author:

Erika Hayasaki

Date:

November 10, 2024

Category:
VISIT
Article

Risk Journalism: A Guide to Clear Reporting on Any Topic

"This guide is designed for journalists who cover stories about risks in any sector: health, environment, artificial intelligence etc. You will identify the concepts that will help you explain, for example, why false flood alarms occur, the pros and cons of installing a nuclear plant in a certain area, or the uncertainty of a study that finds a particular diet increases the risk of developing cancer."

Article

Risk Journalism: A Guide to Clear Reporting on Any Topic

Summary:

"This guide is designed for journalists who cover stories about risks in any sector: health, environment, artificial intelligence etc. You will identify the concepts that will help you explain, for example, why false flood alarms occur, the pros and cons of installing a nuclear plant in a certain area, or the uncertainty of a study that finds a particular diet increases the risk of developing cancer."

Date:

October 21, 2024

Category:
For:
VISIT