Design Research Methods: Journalism Basics

Slides of research methods in design on the basics of journalism

1. Journalism basics
Kevin Walker
20 Jan 2011

2. Journalism research
●Methods: Interviews, Observation, Investigation
●Sources: Speeches, publications, interviews
●Values: Objectivity / multiple perspectives
○opinions are others' not the writer's (unless labeled as
such)
○sources are quoted directly, less often paraphrased
○unnamed sources; collective sources
○check facts against multiple sources
○Every source is clearly identified and authority is clarified
●News v. reviews v. criticism

3. Speeches/lectures/talks as sources
●Consider speaker, audience, context as well as speech
●Interpretation
●Supporting materials: transcript, slides, publications;
opinions of audience; other sources?Every source is clearly
identified and authority is clarified




●Citations
●Quotes
Publications as sources

4. Interviews
●Asking questions is the core of journalism
●Goal is to get facts, not personality (usually)
●How structured? How much research beforehand?
○know who you're talking to, the language they speak
○Don't be afraid to ask dumb questions
●Phone / in person is better than email
○email is formal, legal
○voice is better for putting technical/specialised terms into
plain language
○get permission to record
○Don't rely on technology, don't write whole sentences
○Write quotes, and timecode if possible
○Don't be afraid to ask for spelling or clarification

5. Interviews
●Start with small talk: make them comfortable; move on
quickly
●Watch as well as listen
●It's not about you
●Write it up as soon as possible afterward
●Need follow up?

6. Story construction
●Themes: conflict, progress/disaster, consequence,
timeliness, proximity, novelty, human interest

●Inverted pyramid; 5 w's and h

●Short paragraphs

●Well organised: elements are analysed, related to each
other, convey a central theme

7. Writing style
●Conciseness, simplicity, vividness, directness, emphasis,
originality, clarity, brevity, accuracy

●Rich descriptions

●Style guides: Strunk and White, Chicago, AP, Economist

8. Formatting
●Header or footer: Your name, title or 'slug', page numbers

●Ample margins, double spacing

●Editing!