The human brain isn’t great at understanding probability. But as science writers, we must often communicate probability accurately and vividly to our readers. Fortunately, science writers can use a number of reliable strategies to convey just what a 15 percent chance of an extreme weather event, or an 80 percent chance of recovering from a disease, really means.
Ten countries, 38 reporters, 29 in-depth stories, and a database that documents nearly 2,400 acts of violence against Latin American environmental leaders are a few of the numbers that characterize the ambitious Land of Resistants project. To achieve their goals, the team clearly defined concepts, methods, and deadlines from the beginning. Ethical and practical questions about safety arose at every step, so the team had to take care of each other. Editing was a balancing act of letting different styles shine and answering the project’s core questions.
Interviewing scientists is a basic part of science journalism. But choosing the right sources and having a successful conversation can be a challenging task—even for seasoned reporters. There is no guarantee that every interview is going to be great, but planning and preparing well can maximize your chances of getting the information you need and having a successful story.
Recent, rapid rises in computing power have led to a massive influx of studies across fields using advanced analysis methods, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and computational modeling. The complexity—and, at times, flashiness—of these methods means that science journalists have a unique responsibility and role to play in communicating the results, without hype. A greater understanding of AI and computational approaches and their challenges will help science journalists ask the right questions and spot red flags.
Maybe you’re a scientist who’s making the leap into journalism. Maybe you’re a general-assignment reporter, or an education reporter, or a city hall reporter, and you’ve been assigned your first science story. Or maybe you’re a journalism student who wants to try covering science or medicine or the environment. But whoever you are, if you’re brand new to science journalism, this tip sheet is for you.
With hundreds of thousands of journals publishing new studies, it can be overwhelming to determine which titles are reputable and contain story-worthy findings. Veteran reporters and editors share their strategies for finding and following new journals, accessing studies’ full text, and vetting the credibility of journals through metrics and solid reporting.
Close-ups from a few entries in the 2021 #PeepYourScience contest.
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