The Policy Areas section of Journalist’s Resource is the place to find current, reliable, scientifically based information on a wide range of issues. The section’s goal is to deepen the knowledge base from which journalism educators and journalists operate by unlocking the scholarship produced at research-centered universities.

As our society has become increasingly complex, so have the issues we face — climate change, transportation, and energy, to name just a few. While the range of scientific inquiry has widened and deepened to meet today’s challenges, accessing the information and knowing what is and isn’t reliable can be difficult.

Some studies contain hidden bias that isn’t readily apparent to students and journalists without subject-specific expertise; others might be based on questionable assumptions. Without having such knowledge, it’s nearly impossible to write stories that truly clarify the issues for citizens and policymakers alike.

Each article in this section is focused on a single topic — carbon cap and trade, charter versus pilot schools, the effect of prison education programs on recidivism or the success of highly skilled immigrants, to name just a few examples. The current state of knowledge on the subject is presented, linked to the peer-reviewed research that is its basis. Journalism instructors can use the classroom guides to bring “of the moment” situations into their classroom. The information is designed to get students into the practice of deepening their reporting by tying it to reliable research.

Users of this site are encouraged to comment on the case studies we have as well as suggest new topics and resources that might be of use. We look forward to hearing from you.