Sources and Research My one great concern about the Internet, and I used it religiouslyits the most

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Sources and ResearchMy one great concern about
the Internet, and I used it religiouslyits the
most enormously potent research toolbut Im
never quite sure if I am talking to a goat. And
that does make me a little nervous at times-
Peter Jennings, Late ABC News Anchor
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Source Books

• Cross reference info in multiple ways
• If you create it on a computer, make sure there
  is a hard copy somewhere.
• Can use college sources in the future.
• How can I reach you in the off hours?

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5 Coaching Tips

• Matchmaking technique.
• Newspaper clips and databases.
• Records and Documents.
• Check the internet.
• Check credibility of Web sites.

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Human Sources

• Needed to make stories credible.
• Think outside the box.
• Think about trends.
• Think about experts.

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Human Sources

• Newspaper Files.
• Sponsorship.
• Self-Sponsorship.
• Matchmaking.
• Primary and Secondary Sources.
• Up/Down Principle.

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Anonymous Sources

• Only if there is no other way to get the info and
  the info is vital.

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On and Off the Record

• Off the Record
• Info from source may not be used at all.
• If you can get same info from another source, you
  can use it. But you can attribute it to original
  source.

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Multicultural Sources

• Analyze your stories carefully to make sure they
  arent expressing only one view point.

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Online Sources

• Stephen C. Miller Trust-O-Meter
• First choice government and organizational
  sites.
• Second choice university studies.
• Least reliable personal sites.

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Credibility of Web sites Who

• Who is the author, site owner or name of
  sponsoring organization? Avoid unnamed sites.

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Credibility of Web sites What

• Is the site affiliated with a government agency,
  an educational institution, or nationally (or
  locally) credible organization?
• Check the site index for an about us section.

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Credibility of Web sites When

• Is the site dated?
• Use the most current info you can find.

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Credibility of Web sites Where

• Does the cite have any contact info?
• Phone number, address, names of individuals, etc.

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Credibility of Web sites Why

• Does the site have a bias or promotional agenda?
• If so, avoid it or get other points of view.

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Credibility of Web sites How

• Narrow your search by typing specific key words
  instead of a broad topic.

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Credibility of Web sites Attribution

• Print the info you plan to use so you can
  document it.
• Copy the site name and URL (address).
• Dont copy anything from a site without
  attributing it.

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Effective Searching

• Narrow Search.
• Understand Domains.
• www.betterwhois.com
• State government sites.
• Understand search engines and directories.
• Metasearch engines.
• Journalism Directories (reporter.umd.edu).
• Experts such as Profnet.
• Maps.
• Press Releases and Wire Services (PRnewswire).
• Email and discussion groups (usenet)

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Databases and Public Records

• Political Contributions.
• Real Estate.
• Voter Registration.
• Fish and Game Licenses.
• Salaries of county employees.
• County government expenses.
• Corporate Records.
• Court Records.
• Military Records.

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Databases and Public Records

• Personal Property Loans.
• Tax Payments.
• Motor Vehicle Registrations.
• Building Inspection/Housing Permits.
• City Meeting Records.
• City Expenses.
• Public Works.
• Fire Department.
• Police Records.
• Utility Records.
• School District Records.

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Freedom of Information Act

• FOIA
• Congress 1966 makes federal records available to
  the public.
• Applies only to federal documents.
• May not include all info.
• Can be time consuming.

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Research

• Think beyond the obvious.
• Check Web sites carefully.
• Lots of Government records.