Research skills for journalism students: From basics to computer-assisted reporting

Abstract In today's newsroom, research is often computer-assisted. A survey conducted by the authors, however, found that many journalists still rely on paper sources or neglect research altogether. To address this problem, the authors—a librarian and a journalism professor—introduced research skills units into a Beginning Reporting course. These units have three purposes: to develop research skills, to demonstrate the value of research in writing stories, and to prepare students for advanced courses in computer-assisted reporting. This article describes the development, implementation, and success of this program.