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Topic: Tips and tools
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Resource Database / Guide

Disinformation Resource List — Floodlight & Drilled

Drilled, Spotlight

This tipsheet, compiled for a session at the 2024 Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) conference, shares an extensive list of resources for reporting on climate disinformation. The tipsheet's authors write: "There are so many different flavors of climate disinformation out there, and especially in an election year when climate is on the ballot it can feel overwhelming to sort through it all. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite resources for checking sources, following the money, and sorting fact from fiction. "
Resource Database / Guide

Disinformation Resource List — Floodlight & Drilled

Summary:
This tipsheet, compiled for a session at the 2024 Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) conference, shares an extensive list of resources for reporting on climate disinformation. The tipsheet's authors write: "There are so many different flavors of climate disinformation out there, and especially in an election year when climate is on the ballot it can feel overwhelming to sort through it all. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite resources for checking sources, following the money, and sorting fact from fiction. "
Organization:

Drilled, Spotlight

Date:

April 7, 2024

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Tipsheet: Data for wildfire investigations

NICAR

In this tipsheet from a session at the NICAR 2024 conference, journalists provide tools and tips for "reporting on the entire wildfire prevention and control ecosystem, which spans dozens of agencies at federal, state and local levels, billions of dollars and sometimes (often) unfathomably cumbersome bureaucracy." The tipsheet includes reporting tips, data sources, document suggestions, and more. An audio recording of the session is also available at: https://resources.ire.org/audio/20240308-30538.mp3
Resource Database / Guide

Tipsheet: Data for wildfire investigations

Summary:
In this tipsheet from a session at the NICAR 2024 conference, journalists provide tools and tips for "reporting on the entire wildfire prevention and control ecosystem, which spans dozens of agencies at federal, state and local levels, billions of dollars and sometimes (often) unfathomably cumbersome bureaucracy." The tipsheet includes reporting tips, data sources, document suggestions, and more. An audio recording of the session is also available at: https://resources.ire.org/audio/20240308-30538.mp3
Organization:

NICAR

Author:

Adiel Kaplan, Veronica Penney, Emily Zentner

Date:

March 28, 2024

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Tipsheet: Data and accountability on the climate change beat

NICAR

In this tipsheet from a session at the NICAR 2024 conference, journalists describe how to use data and documents to report on environmental issues. The tipsheet includes example FOIA requests, data sources, story links, and more. An audio recording of the session is also available at this link.
Resource Database / Guide

Tipsheet: Data and accountability on the climate change beat

Summary:
In this tipsheet from a session at the NICAR 2024 conference, journalists describe how to use data and documents to report on environmental issues. The tipsheet includes example FOIA requests, data sources, story links, and more. An audio recording of the session is also available at this link.
Organization:

NICAR

Author:

Clayton Aldern, Dillon Bergin, Savanna Strott, Emily Zentner

Date:

March 28, 2024

Category:
For:
VISIT
Video

Tools for environmental reporting & Should we all be environmental reporters?

International Center for Journalists

In this webinar, journalists Crystal Chow from the International Journalists' Network and Mais Katt from the Environmental Investigative Forum discuss how coverage of environmental issues intersects with different international communities and beats. The event was part of a series preparing for COP27.
Video

Tools for environmental reporting & Should we all be environmental reporters?

Summary:
In this webinar, journalists Crystal Chow from the International Journalists' Network and Mais Katt from the Environmental Investigative Forum discuss how coverage of environmental issues intersects with different international communities and beats. The event was part of a series preparing for COP27.
Organization:

International Center for Journalists

Date:

November 15, 2022

Category:
For:
VISIT
Video

Wastewater surveillance for detecting COVID-19

The People's CDC

"On August 10, The People’s CDC hosted Marc Johnson. He led us through a webinar on the importance of wastewater data and how it can aid the continued monitoring of COVID-19 pandemic." Johnson is a microbiologist and immunologist at the University of Missouri who leads the state's wastewater surveillance program and conducts research. He discussed how wastewater samples are collected and analyzed, how to understand the resulting data, and more. A video recording and transcript of the webinar are available.
Video

Wastewater surveillance for detecting COVID-19

Summary:
"On August 10, The People’s CDC hosted Marc Johnson. He led us through a webinar on the importance of wastewater data and how it can aid the continued monitoring of COVID-19 pandemic." Johnson is a microbiologist and immunologist at the University of Missouri who leads the state's wastewater surveillance program and conducts research. He discussed how wastewater samples are collected and analyzed, how to understand the resulting data, and more. A video recording and transcript of the webinar are available.
Organization:

The People's CDC

Date:

August 11, 2023

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Covering obesity: 6 tips for dispelling myths and avoiding stigmatizing news coverage

"Dozens of academic studies spotlight problems in news coverage of obesity. To help journalists reflect on their work and make improvements, we asked seven experts for advice."
Article

Covering obesity: 6 tips for dispelling myths and avoiding stigmatizing news coverage

Summary:
"Dozens of academic studies spotlight problems in news coverage of obesity. To help journalists reflect on their work and make improvements, we asked seven experts for advice."
Author:

Denise-Marie Ordway

Published By:

The Journalist's Resource

Date:

January 10, 2024

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

How to cover academic research fraud and errors

This tipsheet shares a video recording and key takeaways from a webinar that The Journalist's Resource hosted on November 30, 2023. The event featured Ivan Oransky, Elisabeth Bik and Jodi Cohen, three experts who all have experience covering, monitoring, and detecting research misconduct.
Article

How to cover academic research fraud and errors

Summary:
This tipsheet shares a video recording and key takeaways from a webinar that The Journalist's Resource hosted on November 30, 2023. The event featured Ivan Oransky, Elisabeth Bik and Jodi Cohen, three experts who all have experience covering, monitoring, and detecting research misconduct.
Author:

Denise-Marie Ordway

Published By:

The Journalist's Resource

Date:

December 5, 2023

Category:
For:
Resource Database / Guide

Tipsheet: Pursuing investigative stories as a science writer

This tipsheet, from a session at the ScienceWriters 2023 meeting, shares tips and resources for pursuing investigative stories on science topics. The session featured several esteemed investigative reporters talking about how they produced notable stories. The panelists discussed finding story ideas, filing public records requests, working with scientific research, considering libel risk, and more.
Resource Database / Guide

Tipsheet: Pursuing investigative stories as a science writer

Summary:
This tipsheet, from a session at the ScienceWriters 2023 meeting, shares tips and resources for pursuing investigative stories on science topics. The session featured several esteemed investigative reporters talking about how they produced notable stories. The panelists discussed finding story ideas, filing public records requests, working with scientific research, considering libel risk, and more.
Author:

Betsy Ladyzhets, Priyanka Runwal

Date:

October 9, 2023

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Body Politic’s comprehensive guide to covering long COVID

Body Politic, USC Annenberg

"After a year of writing about long COVID, interviewing patients, and being interviewed myself, I created a comprehensive guide for journalists covering the long-term symptoms of COVID-19," author Fiona Lowenstein writes in an accompanying article at the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism's website. "To understand more about what we can learn from the past, I talked with veteran health journalists David Tuller, Linda Villarosa, and Julie Rehmeyer, as well as New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay, who is recovering from long COVID. I also spoke with patients and activists to learn more about how patients want reporters to tell their stories."
Resource Database / Guide

Body Politic’s comprehensive guide to covering long COVID

Summary:
"After a year of writing about long COVID, interviewing patients, and being interviewed myself, I created a comprehensive guide for journalists covering the long-term symptoms of COVID-19," author Fiona Lowenstein writes in an accompanying article at the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism's website. "To understand more about what we can learn from the past, I talked with veteran health journalists David Tuller, Linda Villarosa, and Julie Rehmeyer, as well as New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay, who is recovering from long COVID. I also spoke with patients and activists to learn more about how patients want reporters to tell their stories."
Organization:

Body Politic, USC Annenberg

Author:

Fiona Lowenstein

Date:

August 16, 2021

Category:
For:
VISIT
Video

A journalist’s guide to CCS greenwashing at COP28: Tips for covering carbon capture

DeSmog

"What is carbon capture and storage, why will it be a hot topic at COP28, and how can journalists cover it better? Join DeSmog editors and reporters to find out!" This video is a recording of a webinar on November 13, 2023, in which expert journalists share recommendations for covering carbon capture and storage. They focused on "tips for avoiding pitfalls and misleading fossil fuel industry narratives."
Video

A journalist’s guide to CCS greenwashing at COP28: Tips for covering carbon capture

Summary:
"What is carbon capture and storage, why will it be a hot topic at COP28, and how can journalists cover it better? Join DeSmog editors and reporters to find out!" This video is a recording of a webinar on November 13, 2023, in which expert journalists share recommendations for covering carbon capture and storage. They focused on "tips for avoiding pitfalls and misleading fossil fuel industry narratives."
Organization:

DeSmog

Date:

November 27, 2023

Category:
For:
VISIT
Workshop

Using ChatGPT for Communications

Methods for Change, Institute for Methods Innovation

"Join us for an immersive workshop series that explores the transformative potential of ChatGPT in enhancing communication strategies and content creation. Whether you’re a science communicator, marketer, content creator, or social media enthusiast, this workshop is designed to equip you with the skills to leverage ChatGPT for creating captivating narratives for videos, engaging social media content, and impactful communication materials such as posters and infographics."
Workshop

Using ChatGPT for Communications

Summary:
"Join us for an immersive workshop series that explores the transformative potential of ChatGPT in enhancing communication strategies and content creation. Whether you’re a science communicator, marketer, content creator, or social media enthusiast, this workshop is designed to equip you with the skills to leverage ChatGPT for creating captivating narratives for videos, engaging social media content, and impactful communication materials such as posters and infographics."
Organization:

Methods for Change, Institute for Methods Innovation

Location:

Virtual

Dates:

January 17, 2024

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

How to report on physics and physicists in an accurate and accessible way

Institute of Physics (IOP)

"You as journalists can have life-changing impacts on those reading, watching or listening. To help, the IOP has produced a guide and a handy checklist to help ensure that your coverage of physics steers clear of entrenched stereotypes and instead presents an accurate representation of our subject and who does it. Our guide is packed with advice, plus we have a toolkit including sources for quotes, tips for inclusive language and links to physics explanations, along with other resources too."
Article

How to report on physics and physicists in an accurate and accessible way

Summary:
"You as journalists can have life-changing impacts on those reading, watching or listening. To help, the IOP has produced a guide and a handy checklist to help ensure that your coverage of physics steers clear of entrenched stereotypes and instead presents an accurate representation of our subject and who does it. Our guide is packed with advice, plus we have a toolkit including sources for quotes, tips for inclusive language and links to physics explanations, along with other resources too."
Organization:

Institute of Physics (IOP)

Published By:

IOP: Limit Less

Date:

February 1, 2023

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Sci Comm Resources — Dan Vahaba

Dan Vahaba is the director of communications at the Duke University Institute for Brain Sciences. He compiled this Google doc full of science writing resources, including articles and books to read, tips about how to pitch, conferences, academic journals, newsletters, and more.
Resource Database / Guide

Sci Comm Resources — Dan Vahaba

Summary:
Dan Vahaba is the director of communications at the Duke University Institute for Brain Sciences. He compiled this Google doc full of science writing resources, including articles and books to read, tips about how to pitch, conferences, academic journals, newsletters, and more.
Author:

Dan Vahaba

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

CLIPS — Communication Learning in Practice for Scientists

The University of Queensland

"In the same way that you learn to be a good scientist, you can learn to be a good communicator. Furthermore, being a good communicator will make you a much better scientist! The CLIPS website was built to provide some of the essential information on communication skills that a science student needs during their degree and in the workplace." The website includes videos and educational modules, divided into different categories for scientific study and the science workplace.
Resource Database / Guide

CLIPS — Communication Learning in Practice for Scientists

Summary:
"In the same way that you learn to be a good scientist, you can learn to be a good communicator. Furthermore, being a good communicator will make you a much better scientist! The CLIPS website was built to provide some of the essential information on communication skills that a science student needs during their degree and in the workplace." The website includes videos and educational modules, divided into different categories for scientific study and the science workplace.
Organization:

The University of Queensland

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Data Journalism Tools

Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT

"The ability to craft a story using raw data — which can be messy and difficult to parse — is a skill worth honing, especially for journalists who cover science. To help you get going, KSJ has provided a collection of resources and tools for finding, analyzing, and presenting data." Resource categories: Data Journalism 101, Training and Tutorials, Conferences, Databases, Data Journalism Toolkit, Further Reading.
Resource Database / Guide

Data Journalism Tools

Summary:
"The ability to craft a story using raw data — which can be messy and difficult to parse — is a skill worth honing, especially for journalists who cover science. To help you get going, KSJ has provided a collection of resources and tools for finding, analyzing, and presenting data." Resource categories: Data Journalism 101, Training and Tutorials, Conferences, Databases, Data Journalism Toolkit, Further Reading.
Organization:

Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Curbing the confusion: Strategies for covering the latest COVID booster shot approvals

AHCJ

As fall approaches and the FDA and CDC evaluate updated vaccines for COVID-19, "it’s crucial [that reporters] work to dispel any confusion about the boosters and provide their audience with contextual information about how booster shot recommendations are made." In this article from the Association of Health Care Journalists, journalist Tara Haelle gives background on the vaccine review and recommendation process and offers tips for accurate coverage.
Article

Curbing the confusion: Strategies for covering the latest COVID booster shot approvals

Summary:
As fall approaches and the FDA and CDC evaluate updated vaccines for COVID-19, "it’s crucial [that reporters] work to dispel any confusion about the boosters and provide their audience with contextual information about how booster shot recommendations are made." In this article from the Association of Health Care Journalists, journalist Tara Haelle gives background on the vaccine review and recommendation process and offers tips for accurate coverage.
Organization:

AHCJ

Author:

Tara Haelle

Date:

September 12, 2023

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

SciComm Lexicon: A visual science communication glossary

The SciComm Lexicon is a glossary of more than 170 terms, many of them illustrated, that "will help scientists and communicators alike better understand, reflect on and apply the concepts or best practices of science communication." The creators will soon release a graphic novel called "The SciComm Letters" as well.
Resource Database / Guide

SciComm Lexicon: A visual science communication glossary

Summary:
The SciComm Lexicon is a glossary of more than 170 terms, many of them illustrated, that "will help scientists and communicators alike better understand, reflect on and apply the concepts or best practices of science communication." The creators will soon release a graphic novel called "The SciComm Letters" as well.
Author:

Paige Brown Jarreau, Cassandra Tyson

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Know your research: Helping journalists understand academic research

This section from The Journalist's Resource features articles and tipsheets about reporting on scientific research. Topics covered include understanding research methods, finding and recognizing high-quality research, avoiding missteps when reporting on new studies, and more. New articles are added to the section every few weeks.
Resource Database / Guide

Know your research: Helping journalists understand academic research

Summary:
This section from The Journalist's Resource features articles and tipsheets about reporting on scientific research. Topics covered include understanding research methods, finding and recognizing high-quality research, avoiding missteps when reporting on new studies, and more. New articles are added to the section every few weeks.
Published By:

The Journalist's Resource

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

5 tips for using PubPeer to investigate scientific research errors and misconduct

"PubPeer, a website where researchers critique one another’s work, has played a key role in helping journalists uncover scientific misconduct in several prominent investigative stories in recent years — including the student newspaper series that led to Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne’s recent resignation." This story offers tips to help journalists use PubPeer for story ideas.
Article

5 tips for using PubPeer to investigate scientific research errors and misconduct

Summary:
"PubPeer, a website where researchers critique one another’s work, has played a key role in helping journalists uncover scientific misconduct in several prominent investigative stories in recent years — including the student newspaper series that led to Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne’s recent resignation." This story offers tips to help journalists use PubPeer for story ideas.
Author:

Denise-Marie Ordway

Published By:

The Journalist's Resource

Date:

August 1, 2023

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

How to become a science journalist? A practical guide on science journalism basics in Arabic

This guide, written by science journalism and communication trainer Mohamed Elsonbaty Ramadan, explains science journalism basics for Arabic-langauge speakers. (The resource is written in Arabic.)
Article

How to become a science journalist? A practical guide on science journalism basics in Arabic

Summary:
This guide, written by science journalism and communication trainer Mohamed Elsonbaty Ramadan, explains science journalism basics for Arabic-langauge speakers. (The resource is written in Arabic.)
Author:

Mohamed Elsonbaty Ramadan

Published By:

British Council Egypt

Category:
For:
VISIT
Workshop

Science essentials for local reporters

SciLine, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

This free, one-hour “crash course” — designed specifically for local and general assignment reporters — teaches basic principles about how science works and ways it can be used to strengthen virtually any news story. Former longtime Washington Post science reporter Rick Weiss and Ph.D. neuroscientist Tori Espensen cover do’s, don’ts, and pitfalls to watch for when including science in your news reporting. This course is offered periodically throughout the year; check the link for the next offering.
Workshop

Science essentials for local reporters

Summary:
This free, one-hour “crash course” — designed specifically for local and general assignment reporters — teaches basic principles about how science works and ways it can be used to strengthen virtually any news story. Former longtime Washington Post science reporter Rick Weiss and Ph.D. neuroscientist Tori Espensen cover do’s, don’ts, and pitfalls to watch for when including science in your news reporting. This course is offered periodically throughout the year; check the link for the next offering.
Organization:

SciLine, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Location:

Virtual

Dates:

November 8, 2023

Category:
For:
VISIT
Video

Covering contaminated sites in your community

SEJ

"Most of us have a contaminated site near us, but without reporters playing a watchdog role these sites often languish for decades, potentially impacting the health of community members. In this webinar, investigative journalist Jordan Gass-Pooré provides tips on the ways journalists can report on contaminated sites by incorporating local voices who have been personally impacted by the pollution that created the contaminated sites, and the knowledge of experts who lay out how future extreme weather events fueled by climate change may threaten to further spread that pollution if clean-up is not done quickly and thoroughly." Links to a video recording, chat log, and slides are available.
Video

Covering contaminated sites in your community

Summary:
"Most of us have a contaminated site near us, but without reporters playing a watchdog role these sites often languish for decades, potentially impacting the health of community members. In this webinar, investigative journalist Jordan Gass-Pooré provides tips on the ways journalists can report on contaminated sites by incorporating local voices who have been personally impacted by the pollution that created the contaminated sites, and the knowledge of experts who lay out how future extreme weather events fueled by climate change may threaten to further spread that pollution if clean-up is not done quickly and thoroughly." Links to a video recording, chat log, and slides are available.
Organization:

SEJ

Author:

Jordan Gass-Pooré

Date:

August 2, 2023

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Pitch Publish Prosper: Online resources for The Science Writers’ Handbook

NASW

This collection of online resources on the NASW website accompanies The Science Writers Handbook, both produced by an online community of science writers called SciLance. "The Science Writers' Handbook was published in 2013, and for two years SciLancers also produced a blog — Pitch Publish Prosper — with nearly 300 posts. A collection of the 20 most popular posts is now archived here under four headings: Freelancing 101, Pitch, Publish, and Prosper."
Resource Database / Guide

Pitch Publish Prosper: Online resources for The Science Writers’ Handbook

Summary:
This collection of online resources on the NASW website accompanies The Science Writers Handbook, both produced by an online community of science writers called SciLance. "The Science Writers' Handbook was published in 2013, and for two years SciLancers also produced a blog — Pitch Publish Prosper — with nearly 300 posts. A collection of the 20 most popular posts is now archived here under four headings: Freelancing 101, Pitch, Publish, and Prosper."
Organization:

NASW

Author:

The writers of SciLance

Category:
For:
VISIT
Blog

Fancy Comma blog

The Fancy Comma blog includes insights on all things science writing: science communication, science writing, science journalism, science copywriting, and more, updated weekly. It accepts pitches; see https://fancycomma.com/write-for-us/. Fancy Comma also offers a resource page with suggested links for anyone interested in getting into science writing: https://fancycomma.com/resources/
Blog

Fancy Comma blog

Summary:
The Fancy Comma blog includes insights on all things science writing: science communication, science writing, science journalism, science copywriting, and more, updated weekly. It accepts pitches; see https://fancycomma.com/write-for-us/. Fancy Comma also offers a resource page with suggested links for anyone interested in getting into science writing: https://fancycomma.com/resources/
Author:

Sheeva Azma

Category:
For:
VISIT
Podcast

The Writers’ Co-op: Set yourself up well for freelancing when you’re full-time

The Writers' Co-op an audio business handbook for freelance creatives. In this episode, Wudan Yan talks with freelance journalist Karen Given about maintaining relationships, understanding the freelance market, building your own brand, and more. "If you consume media, are a media worker, or just happen to pay attention to what’s happening to the media landscape, you might have heard that the industry is having… a bad time, to say the least. Hundreds of reporters and media employees have been laid off this year as newsrooms are shutting down or downsizing. Some who are affected by these cuts try to move on to another full-time job, but other times, a layoff can lead to the freelance life."      
Podcast

The Writers’ Co-op: Set yourself up well for freelancing when you’re full-time

Summary:
The Writers' Co-op an audio business handbook for freelance creatives. In this episode, Wudan Yan talks with freelance journalist Karen Given about maintaining relationships, understanding the freelance market, building your own brand, and more. "If you consume media, are a media worker, or just happen to pay attention to what’s happening to the media landscape, you might have heard that the industry is having… a bad time, to say the least. Hundreds of reporters and media employees have been laid off this year as newsrooms are shutting down or downsizing. Some who are affected by these cuts try to move on to another full-time job, but other times, a layoff can lead to the freelance life."      
Author:

Wudan Yan, Karen Given

Published By:

The Writers' Co-op

Date:

May 22, 2023

Category:
For:
VISIT