Teachers, how to use this slideshow: Links to several databases are contained in this slideshow. As you discuss them, click on the links to show and explore what’s available online. Links are NOT provided to the databases that are accessible through your school’s media center or public library. It is recommended that you personalize this slideshow with that information and show those databases to your students as well.

Using Databases News Gathering

Can you think of some examples of databases you use? What is a database? Any collection of searchable, organized information available on a computer. Today, many databases are available online, but some are proprietary and used for specific purposes. Can you think of some examples of databases you use? IMDb, the Internet Movie Database is one Essentially, all of Google and all of Wikipedia are databases Some students may know of Gale’s or Jstor from research in other classes. Journalism databases provide access to data via articles, photographs, infographics, and other related material.

Databases that mix the two Types of databases Databases of data Databases of articles Databases that mix the two

Why use databases? Quick access to lots of information on a specific topic Up-to-date, timely information Reliable information from valid sources A variety of sources

Databases for Journalists Investigative Reporters and Editors www.ire.org A non-profit organization, IRE provides a data center and a resource database for journalists researching and investigating issues in their communities. While most of its services require a paid membership, this site does provide abstracts on stories.

Databases for Journalists Journalists Resource http://journalistsresource.org This site provides studies, reports, data and news articles on topics of current interest. Journalists Toolbox http://www.journaliststoolbox.org/ Provided by the Society for Professional Journalists, this site offers how-to lessons on covering various topics, as well as links to information and research. : http://journalistsresource.org NEWSELA journalists toolbox

Internet Public Library http://www.ipl.org/ This online library will let you speak to a librarian via a chat window and search by topics.

School Libraries Your school media center offers access to research databases that you can use. Gale Virtual Reference, Facts on File, JSTOR and others offer reliable secondary sources (researched articles on a topic). Other databases available through your school library may also have primary documents such as letters, maps, photographs and court cases. All of these sources are well-researched, scholarly and reliable. These are great places to look for ideas. Teachers, you may want to invite your school librarian or media center manager to speak to your class and teach students how to access the databases that your school has for them. Prepare a topic or two ahead of time to use for examples.

Public Libraries If your school library doesn’t have it, your public library probably does. Public libraries not only have much of what your school library offers, but also may provide access to state and local data, such as property records, education data and more. Most public libraries subscribe to many different databases, providing you access to consumer publications, journals and more.

What else could you look for? Databases of Data Examples: Property records Census records Animal control records Test scores Arrest records Auto accident records Telephone records (not public, but available for court records if a judge approves) What else could you look for?

Databases of data Many government agencies, especially those associated with the federal executive branch, have databases of public records available to all citizens. Professional journalists have access to journalistic databases such as IRE and LexisNexis to perform extensive research on stories. These databases offer statistical data, public records, and spreadsheets to help with the reporting process.

How can you use databases? Teachers, pause here to let students brainstorm ideas they might have about using databases – both looking at data and researching published information.

Assignment 1: Getting to Know Databases Choose and explore five library databases. Write a description of the database (a general statement of what is in it) and choose one example of information that could be useful to you as a reporter. Then explore the three databases for professional journalists (URLs provided). Describe each and choose one example of information that is found in each site. TEACHERS: Use the handout “Getting to Know Databases” with this activity. Grade on completion, using the handout as an exit ticket.

Assignment 2 – Using data in stories With this exercise, choose two potential story topics. Choose three databases available to you that would provide a wealth of information in connection with your two topics. Support your choices by naming the sources within the databases and summarizing the information you can find there. TEACHERS: Use the “Using Databases” handout with this assignment. A rubic is provided for this assignment. Successful completion will result in beginning research for two news feature or in-depth feature stories.