Topic: Module 1 | Investigative reporting in the digital age

Topic outline

Investigative reporting in the digital age
This self-directed course page features course content from the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas' massive open online course (MOOC) titled "Investigative reporting in the digital age." The four-week course took place from February 3 to March 1, 2020. We are now making the content free and available to students who took the course and anyone else who's interested in investigative reporting and data journalism basics, including experienced investigators who seek to deepen their skills on complex investigations, collaborations and data journalism.
The course was taught by a great team of instructors: Lise Olsen, Alejandra Xanic, Lee Zurik, Denise Malan.

Module 1
Module 1: Investigative Reporting - from your first idea
to highly complex probes
Instructor: Lise Olsen, Investigative reporter & editor, The Texas Observer

In this module you will learn:
How and where can you start investigating. Lies, contradictions and other investigative opportunities
Great sources and best places to start digging
Case studies: how to organize complex investigations of individuals, from a serial killer to a corrupt congressman.
- VIDEO CLASSES
- Module 1 video 1: Digging Page
  
  View
- Transcripts - Digging (PDF) URL
- Slides - Digging (PDF) URL
- Module 1 video 2: Digging Deeper: Tools and techniques in four investigations Page
  
  View
- Transcripts - Digging Deeper: Tools and techniques in four investigations (PDF) URL
- Slides - Digging Deeper: Tools and techniques in four investigations (PDF) URL
- Module 1 video 3: Interview with Pamela Colloff of ProPublica (Optional) Page
  
  View
- READINGS (Required)
- Module 1 reading 1: He’s a liar, a con artist and a snitch. His testimony could soon send a man to his death. (ProPublica) Page
  
  View
- Module 1 reading 2: Public records search tools Page
  
  View
- READINGS (Optional)
- How to map connections between individuals, companies and more with VIS (Journalism.co.uk) Page
  
  View
- OPTIONAL RESOURCES
- Sources: Stuck on how to get sources to talk? Page
  
  View
- DISCUSSION FORUMS
  We have two discussion questions for this module. Feel free to engage with the questions and interact with your peers at your own pace and according to your preferences. Your involvement in the discussions is entirely optional, but it can offer valuable insights and perspectives from your fellow learners.
  
  Please note that there is a Code of Conduct for these forums. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the guidelines to ensure a respectful and collaborative online learning environment.
- M1: Question 1: Discussion Forum 1
  
  View Make forum posts: 1
- M1: Question 1: Discussion Forum 2
  
  View Make forum posts: 1
- QUIZ
  Before you take the quiz, make sure you watch the video lectures and review the required readings for module 1. The quiz has 5 multiple choice questions. You can retake the quiz as many times as you wish. Only the highest score will be recorded.
- Module 1 Quiz
  
  Receive a grade Receive a passing grade
- COURSE HELP
- FAQ: Investigative journalism in the digital age URL
- Student lounge (for informal conversations among students) URL

Side Drawer

Side Drawer

Side Drawer

Topic outline

Investigative reporting in the digital age

Module 1

Module 1: Investigative Reporting - from your first idea

to highly complex probes

Instructor: Lise Olsen, Investigative reporter & editor, The Texas Observer

VIDEO CLASSES

READINGS (Required)

READINGS (Optional)

OPTIONAL RESOURCES

DISCUSSION FORUMS

QUIZ

COURSE HELP