Research Guides: Journalism: Find News Sources (2024)

FAQs

How to find the sources of a news article? ›

Social media and blogs are used by journalists to find potential stories and make contact with news sources. Journalists should always check their sources for credibility (is it true?) and accuracy (is it correct?). A good way of doing this is to cross-check one source with another.

In journalism, a source is a person, publication, or knowledge of other record or document that gives timely information. Outside journalism, sources are sometimes known as "news sources".

The primary ways are in person, over the phone, and via email. Regardless of how you reach out, always be polite and professional and include all of the essential information that a source would need to know about you and your story.

You can find sources online using databases and search engines like Google Scholar. Use Boolean operators or advanced search functions to narrow or expand your search. For print sources, you can use your institution's library database.

Sources of information or evidence are often categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary material. These classifications are based on the originality of the material and the proximity of the source or origin.

Local newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and news sites are bulging with potential stories for you to pitch or blog about, so scan these publications regularly for ideas. You may find a local person doing extraordinary work, a small business owner that beat the odds, or an old building with a fascinating history.

The four most commonly used methods in news gathering used by journalists are observation, telephone conversations, research and interviews. a. Observation: Observation consists of your actually seeing an event take place and then reporting what you have seen in the form of a news story.

How do journalists find experts? ›

Finding Experts

An online database of experts in different subject areas that is also used by the Associated Press. It is free to search or contact an expert. Working Sources is a free directory of experts, career professionals, and other sources who are available to the press.

Practice the “rule of threes”: After you interview a source, ask them for three other people you can talk to who are knowledgeable about the story. Repeat the process with the next three. That makes the source feel valued and it protects you.

Newspapers - Primary or Secondary? Newspaper articles can be either primary or secondary sources. A newspaper article that documents an eyewitness account of an event would be a primary source. Alternatively, a newspaper article may be research-based, which makes it a secondary source.

Identify newspapers

Here are a few clues that will help you identify newspaper article reference citations: Specific date: The day, month, and year on which the article was published is included. No volume or issue number: There are no volume or issue numbers after the title of the newspaper.

Primary sources provide raw information and first-hand evidence. Examples include interview transcripts, statistical data, and works of art. Primary research gives you direct access to the subject of your research. Secondary sources provide second-hand information and commentary from other researchers.