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Questions and Answers on Data Journalism to Guide You

04.08.2015 by roberts

#Wjchat, a weekly Twitter chat on web journalism, put on a Q&A using Twitter this past Thursday night. The topic of the chat was: “So you want to be a data journalist?” The chat consisted of numerous of questions in relation to data journalism and what it takes to become one. Amongst those that were answering the questions was Scott Klein, Assistant Managing Editor for ProPublica.

Here are the questions and answers from the chat; and what we’ve found after a few years of working with data journalists:

  1. What is a data journalist? What skills and knowledge do you need?

Answer: The ability to think of creative ways to channel data. You can interview a person, and you can interview spreadsheets.

What We Found: A data journalist is someone who delves into data and tries to find a story within the numbers. Some skills needed to become one are knowledge of Excel, basics in coding language and the ability to keep data organized.

  1. What’s the difference between data journalism, graphics, CAR, news applications, etc.?

Answer: One isn’t really better than the other. The end result might be different, the goal is the same– how can one use data and technology to tell a better story?

What We Found: The one difference between all of these is that they are all different platforms. Graphics use design aspects and data to help complement a story. News applications use a little coding and the power of apps to present news to its readers.

  1. How do you go from being a reporter to a data reporter?

Answer: There is no “single” way. But the most recommended one is to find a project you are passionate about and work at it. Also check out Scott Klein’s guide on How to Start Learning to Program and Numbers in the Newsroom by Sarah Cohen.

What We Found: You don’t necessarily have to completely switch over to being a data journalist. You can use some of the skills you learned as a reporter and take them into the data journalism world. Both skills can overlap. There is a possibility that you can be both a reporter and a data journalist.

  1. How do you go from being a math nerd/coder to being a journalist?

Answer: You know the easy bit. Now comes the hard part. As per Klein, “journalism is a natural fit for mathletes who want to make the world a better place.” There are also opportunities such the OpenNews Fellowship that are aimed at bringing people with coding acumen into the newsroom.

What We Found: Like in the question before, the skills you have gained as a coder can be used in becoming a journalist. For example, one of the skills needed for being a data journalist is organization, a skill that you likely acquired from being a math genius.

  1. What should I study in school to learn to be a data journalist? Do I even need school to do this?

Answer: With the power of the Internet, you can teach yourself anything! However, take statistics classes if you want an extra edge. Klein also admits that most of the people on his team have a journalism degree.

What We Found: With Youtube and online coding schools, learning to be a data journalist may not need any schooling. Check out the Three Myths of Data Journalism and How to Overcome Them article and it will show you some resources that can help teach you the basics. Go out and learn how to be a data journalist!

  1. Dealing with data can be time-consuming. How do you judge when a project is worth it?

Answer: That can be hard to judge. Sometimes you will work on a story and it won’t pan out. That’s OK.

What We Found: When first searching data for a story, your findings can help decide whether a story is worth it. The amount of data and importance of the story topic will help you with that decision. In terms of saving time, you can use tools like Infogram to help you present data in a timely fashion.

  1. I’m the only person in my newsroom who knows data or how to code. What do I do?

Answer: It can be lonely. 1. Teach 2. Be realistic on what you can do. 3. Find people on Internet. (Join the NICAR listserv if you are not on it already).

What We Found: If you are the only person in the newsroom that knows data/coding, you can teach some of your fellow journalists the basics. Another option you do have is to create your very own data unit within the newsroom. For example, El Confidencial created one the first data units that Spanish media has seen.

  1. What do you use daily to manipulate, edit and handle data?

Answer: Data analysis- > Excel, R, a Relational database management system like MySQL/Postgres, Python/Ruby/node.js, QGIS. Data cleaning- > Tabula, OpenRefine. Added tip: IRE just launched a set of tutorials for some data tools. Check them out.

What We Found: The tools named above are perfect for everyday use when handling data. Excel is the essential tool for data journalists in order to keep their data organized and the ability to port in that data into different tools.

All of these questions and answers can help you become a successful data journalist. Take all of these tips and tricks out there to create some strong data-driven stories.

Learn more about how you can use Infogram in your newsroom

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