The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. Add to that more than 3,000 tipsheets from our national conferences on how to cover specific beats or do specific stories and you have a resource that no reporter or editor should be without. These stories and tipsheets are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Logged-in members can view the tipsheets free online:
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Story ideas and development
Berens identifies the evolution of the story - from finding the enterprise story idea through the development and writing of it.
Tags: reporting; story idea; enterprise reporting; data; research; documents
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Investigating Local Government
Jaquiss tipsheet covers tips for investigating local government. He stressed the importance of knowing your sources and their motivations and the understanding what documents you're looking for and what is available. Jaquiss says, "Your job in covering local government is to explain to readers how resources are being allocated. You work for your readers, not elected officials or your sources. Do not be a stenographer."
Tags: local government; sources; elected officials; public meetings; documents;
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Project Checklist
Berens presents a 10 point checklist for enterprise projects. He describes it as a "failsafe compass" for discretionary projects (ideas that begin from scratch).
Tags: checklist; reporting; enterprise reporting; investigative reporting
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Effective Information Mining on the Web
This tipsheet offers lesser-known tricks to getting the most out of web searches. Go \\\"beyond Google\\\" by using a variety of search engines to look for a subjects, people and public records. Williams also offers suggestions on searching databases for data and statistics.
Tags: Google; database; public records; search engine
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Investigative Reporting on a Budget: 8 Simple Rules
Nixon offers eight tips for reducing the costs of your investigative reports. His advice ranges from taking advantage of the public library to using open records laws.
Tags: technology; FOIA; time management
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(More than 5) Databases for criminal justice reporting
Roberts discusses the "data-rich" nature of the criminal justice beat, identifying several key databases for reporters. Examples include 911 response data, jail bookings, jury selection transcripts, National Corrections Reporting program and many more
Tags: crime; arrest; jail; courts; police; criminal justice; violent offenders; sexual offenders; prison; inmates; judicial reporting; NACJD; NCRP; jury; juries; court docket
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Investigating Nonprofits
Start with structure when beginning your nonprofit investigation with these helpful tips from an award winning investigative reporter.
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The Art of the Interview
This tipsheet has a wonderfully detailed list of how to prepare for an interview, and how to be the best interviewer possible.
Tags: interviewing; preparing for interview; interview strategies
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Policing the police: Uncovering law enforcement
Get tips on how to ask questions about informants, search warrants and seizures, disciplinary actions, and lawsuits so that you can police the police in your community.
Tags: cops; law enforcement corruption; search warrants; informants
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Following the dollar in public spending - Vendors, Grants and Contracts
This tipsheet provides detailed information about how beat reporters can follow the money in contracts, purchases and grants
Tags: Public Purchases; Beat Reporting