INTRO to 

Data Journalism

Agustin Armendariz and Kendall Taggart
(h/t Jennifer LaFleur)

At the University of South Carolina, March 2014

Why should you care?


13 percent unemployment rate for 20-24 year olds

Basic data analysis skills will help get you a job

#Nicar14 job board

Why data journalism?

  • Powerful figures are in the data

EXAMPLE: Wasted in Wisconsin


EXAMPLE: ESPN examines stadium food




Finding: At 28 percent of the venues, more than half of the concession stands or restaurants had been cited for at least one "critical" or "major" health violation. 

WHy data journalism?

  • Powerful figures are in the data
  • Pattern recognition: it takes you beyond an anecdote

    • EXAMPLE: Associated press follows stimulus money


    Combining datasets:  Bridge inspections    +    stimulus funding


    FINDING:          Some of the nation's worst bridges did not get                                                      stimulus funding.

    EXAMPLE: PRIME HEALTHCARE

    There is news in the outliers.


    Caution: this slide contains extreme nerdiness - it's Lafleur's fault


    WHY Data Journalism?

  • Powerful figures are in the data
  • Pattern recognition: it takes you beyond an anecdote
  • Test assumptions

    • EXAMPLE: NPR 


    EXAMPLE: California Watch

    California has the toughest building regulations.

    Schools must be safe.


    why data journalism?

  • Powerful figures are in the data
  • Pattern recognition: it takes you beyond an anecdote
  • Test assumptions
  • A key skill to be able to hold government accountable

    • EXAMPLE: THE Center for investigative Reporting

    Press releases disproportionately highlight Mexican citizens