A major new resource for journalists is available online for the first time. IRE contest questionnaires provide road maps to how many of the best investigative projects of the past three decades were done.

IRE members can now digitally search more than 15,000 of these valuable guides.

Each questionnaire provides detail on how projects, entered into the IRE Awards and later the Phil Meyer Awards, were done. Each one includes lists of sources, documents and data; advice to those who'd like to try similar work themselves, detail on any CAR analysis done, and much more.

The collection -- which ...

Read more ...

Audio from the 2010 IRE Conference (Las Vegas, Nev.) is now available for members to stream online. A DVD of the audio is available to order from the Resource Center. Conference attendees can obtain a copy for $5 (to cover shipping/handling). Additional copies can be ordered for $20 each. Members who did not attend the conference can purchase a copy for $20 (price includes shipping). (Please note, at the 2010 conference we did not tape every session. The panels held in Champagne Ballroom 1, Champagne Ballroom 2, Champagne Ballroom 3/4 and Versailles 3/4 were recorded.)

Be inspired by the greats who heralded in a new breed of watchdog journalism. "The New Muckrakers," with an updated forward by author Leonard Downie, Jr., is now available from IRE. Downie's classic examines a crucial era in the rich history of investigative reporting in America. His exploration of the "new muckrakers" includes insider anecdotes and personal insights from some of the biggest investigations and investigators of the last century, including:

• Woodward and Bernstein's coverage of Watergate Seymour Hersh uncovering the My Lai massacre
• Barlett and Steele's revelation of deep problems with Philadelphia's criminal court system ...

Read more ...

The crisis in Haiti has sparked an outpouring of concern and aid pouring in from around the world. With this goodwill comes an opportunity for charities to shine and journalists to make sure that those charities are doing what they promise. Check up on charitable organizations in your community or educate your readers and viewers to investigate those charities themselves. Form 990s are readily available for download via Guidestar. Charity Navigator can also help as it's a site that ranks and rates nonprofit organizations. Here are some tipsheets that can help you unlock a 990's secrets:

• Ron Campbell ...

Read more ...

IRE has compiled some resources that may assist in covering the fatal shootings that occured today at Ft. Hood in Texas.  If you have other resources that could be of help to your fellow reporters, please feel free to contact us, and we can add it to the list.  (Email the IRE Resource Center, rescntr@ire.org.) Tipsheets 2360: Janet Lundblad's tipsheet lists resources that are helpful in tracking down people in the military - from books to websites. She also provides a few tips doing this sort of investigation, such as using social security numbers from personnel records to ... Read more ...

The 2008 Election Day is upon us! IRE and NICAR have compiled a list of resources to aid in your coverage of stories as they unfold on this historic election day.  Included you will find relevant tipsheets and stories, databases, articles on election coverage from Uplink and The IRE Journal, and other helpful websites. Please contact the IRE Resource Center (573-882-3364 or email) or the Database Library (573-884-7711) for additional assistance.

Tipsheet and audio CDs from the 2008 IRE Annual Conference in Miami (June 5-8) are now available from the IRE Resource Center. Orders can be placed online or by contacting the Resource Center (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org).

• 2008 IRE Tipsheet Collection - $15, plus $5 shipping
• 2008 IRE Conference Audio (mp3 format) - $20, plus $5 shipping

If you attended the conference in Miami, you may request one copy of the audio CD for just $5 (shipping). Attendees can also download individual audio files of conference panels. If you would like to place an order for these materials from outside the ... Read more ...