Data + Journalism: A Story-Driven Approach to Learning Data Reporting

Taking a hands-on and holistic approach to data, Data + Journalism provides a complete guide to reporting data-driven stories.

This book offers insights into data journalism from a global perspective, including datasets and interviews with data journalists from countries around the world. Emphasized by examples drawn from frequently updated sets of open data posted by authoritative sources like the FBI, Eurostat and the US Census Bureau, the authors take a deep dive into data journalism’s "heavy lifting" – searching for, scraping and cleaning data. Combined with exercises, video training supplements and lists of tools and resources at the end of each chapter, readers will learn not just how to crunch numbers but also how to put a human face to data, resulting in compelling, story-driven news stories based on solid analysis.

Written by two experienced journalists and data journalism teachers, Data + Journalism is essential reading for students, instructors and early career professionals seeking a comprehensive introduction to data journalism skills.

This book is supported by a website which can be accessed at DataPlusJournalism.com.

Mike Reilley teaches data and digital journalism at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He founded the digital resources site JournalistsToolbox.org in 1996 and continues to update it today for the Society of Professional Journalists.

Samantha Sunne teaches data and digital techniques to journalists at universities and other groups including the Society of Professional Journalists, Hunter College-CUNY and Investigative Reporters and Editors. She is a long-time journalism freelancer specializing in data and investigative stories.