Interviewing scientists may seem overwhelming at first, but it isn’t fundamentally different from talking with other sources. A little planning can help ensure that your time with researchers and other science experts is well spent and that you get the information you need.
Figure out whom to talk to.
If you’re covering a scientific study, you’ll need to speak with at least one of the authors and one or more outside sources who can evaluate and comment on the study.
How many sources you need depends on whether you have wide-ranging versus focused questions, how long your story is, and whether the subject sparks debate among scientists. More debate demands more sources.
In the subject line, include the phrase “media inquiry” and a few words about your story’s topic so your source knows it’s relevant to them. If your request is time-sensitive, note that (e.g., “on deadline”) in the subject, too.
In the email itself, start by introducing yourself and the publication you’re writing for.
Be clear about your ask. Are you writing about their study? Wanting comment on another study? Looking for general background on a topic? Including scientific information as part of a bigger story?
Explain where you are in your reporting process—whether that’s working on a freelance pitch, in initial stages and looking for background, or trying to answer some specific questions.
Include your deadline and be honest about the time frame you’re working with. Giving a source an extra hour or two to respond, if possible, might be the difference between getting an interview o
Ask an author questions like: Can you summarize the findings for me? How did you do this study? What sets this apart from other work on the topic?
Ask an outside source questions like: Do the results support the authors’ conclusions? How does this fit in with what we already know? What limitations do you see?
If you’re covering a local issue such as a weather event, an environmental debate, or a city council decision, think about what information will be valuable to your audience. Focus on a couple of essential questions, and then list some extras that it would be nice to get to.
Look for your news peg. If it’s not a newly released study or breaking news, ask: Why is this issue in the news right now, or deserving to be?
If you’re covering breaking news, focus on the journalism classics: who, what, when, where, why, and how.
If you’re working on a feature story, ask broader questions like: How did you get into this field? What inspired this study? Why does this research matter?
Close interviews by asking about researchers’ next steps and what lingering questions remain.
