Science Essentials for Local Reporters

A SciLine Crash Course on skillful integration of science into news stories, especially for PMJA members!

A dose of science can add substance to almost any news story. But many journalists lack the tools or confidence to include it in their reporting. SciLine is offering a free, one-hour, virtual Crash Course just for PMJA members that will cover do’s, don’ts, and practical tips for incorporating scientific experts and evidence into your stories. Created and led by journalists and scientists at SciLine—the free service for journalists based at the nonprofit American Association for the Advancement of Science—this “Crash Course” will cover how to:

• avoid common pitfalls when reporting on scientific findings, such as overstating results or their applications for people;
• identify different types of scientific studies and understand the strengths and limitations of each;
• scan a scientific study to extract the most critical information and craft relevant interview questions; and
• find and interview scientist-sources who can speak authoritatively on a specific topic.

This is a great opportunity for PMJA members to quickly get steeped in the practical essentials of handling science in your stories, and to ask questions of a couple of pros.