Journalism Institute prepares seminar series to crunch numbers into prize-winners
The National Press Club Journalism Institute is proud to announce its Data-Powered Journalism Series. The Institute's Professional Development Committee has organized a series of training sessions on how spreadsheets and databases can add a valuable new dimension to Washington reporting.
The sessions will be divided into three classes, starting May 29. Admission is $5 for members, $25 for non-members. Space is limited, so please reserve early. To sign up, click here.
The sessions will be taught by David Donald , data editor at the Center for Public Integrity, and former training director for Investigative Reporters and Editors and the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting.
Sign up now to master the skills that take you beyond great interviewing and document digging.
May 29 - Don’t fear the math: Turning numbers into stories and stories into award-winners
Spreadsheets are much more than programs for doing your expense reports. It can also help you follow the campaign money and watch how tax dollars are spent. This class will show how just a little number-crunching can improve both deadline stories and bigger projects.
June 25 - Excel-ing at data reporting
Powerful spreadsheet tools like pivot tables can distill the daily deluge of data into killer statistics. This class takes spreadsheet programs like Excel to the next level, helping you harness the data and give your stories extra horsepower.
Participation requires completing the introductory class, or demonstrated ability with spreadsheets, at the discretion of the instructor.
August (exact date TBD) - Access the power
"Database managers" might sound like the guys who tell you to clean out your email inbox. But they’re not. Relational databases allow you to make connections in data that would never be visible sifting through documents, working your sources or talking to experts. With databases like Access you can master some of the huge datasets that hide the secrets of governments, companies and candidates. Participation requires completing the advanced Excel class, or demonstrated ability with Excel, at the discretion of the instructor.