Intro to Computer-Assisted Reporting

Why I’m here

• In a few short lessons, I will try and show you all the possibilities of the Internet and the wealth of information you can gather

• This sort of information can add depth and focus to your reporting.

Computer assisted reporting is frustrating!

• Most online databases were not created to be easy for reporters to use.

• Trial and error is the key to figuring it out.

• Don’t give up!

First a disclaimer

• These lessons are to help with your research on articles and stories

• In-person interviews will always be the best method for journalists to gather information

“Interviewing” the Web site

• Never trust a Web site at face value• Check for:• a professional layout• spelling and grammatical errors• site and contact info• More tips at

http://copia.library.cornell.edu/t/help/res_strategy/evaluating/evaluate.html

Different types of Web sites

• .gov = government Web sites• .mil = military Web sites• .edu = educational Web sites• .com = commercial Web sites• .org = organization Web sites• .net = network Web sites

Country Codes

• U.S. = .us (but we don’t use it often)

• Great Britain= .gb

• Germany= .de

• China= .cn

Using Google to its full advantage• Advanced searches• using multiple key words• site: ______, • date ranges• Quotations • searching common words• leaving out words or phrases • synonyms, • Query modifiers: allintitle, inurl, allinurl, link,

cache

When Google fails

• Google can be compromised: In 2007, when one Googled “idiot” George Bush’s profile was the first result in the queue

When Google Fails

• Companies and corporations know how Google works and creates search engine optimized (SEO) words and phrases on their Web sites to increase their standing on Google

When Google Fails

• Some companies PAY Google to appear higher on the search result list

When Google Fails

• Google and Yahoo! alter their search results in different countries. For example, Google France will not let you research Nazis; Google China does not recognize the Tank Man

Help and More Information

• www.buffscar.synthasite.com

• Kylee.perez@colorado.edu