CONSTRUCTIVE JOURNALISM TOOLKIT
Researching Stories
In the research phase, we seek facts and documentation to answer the question we formulated for our story idea.
You can apply the three pillars of Constructive Journalism alongside your existing skills and training as a reporter, keeping your constructive purpose grounded in objective research.
Pillar 1: Solutions
As moderators of public conversation, we want to help bring attention to the ideas that people have for solving a problem or improving a situation. We want to show what’s working elsewhere, what is not working, and what we can learn in both cases.
To keep their practice from veering into advocacy, journalists use the same vigorous reporting techniques to investigate a potential solution as they would to investigate a problem.
Is there documentation on the effects of the solution? Why does it work in the place where it has shown success? Has it worked elsewhere?
Key questions to ask when researching a solution:
Is the solution scalable?
Does the solution work in other places?
Can experts or researchers validate the solution?
Who is responsible for this solution?
Who can work with this solution?
How and when could the solution be used?
Will decision-makers use the solution?
“Be extra careful. Your subjects will likely rush to talk to you about a solutions story. But you shouldn’t rush to believe what they say. Get the evidence to support any claim of success.”
— Solutions Journalism Network: Vetting a Solutions-Oriented Story
Pillar 2: nuance
It takes courage to explore nuances and to find sources that offer more than the simplistic “he says/she says” narrative.
Researching a story to reflect nuance calls for seeking out the sources and data that challenge or complicate our hypothesis. Using this approach often means sacrificing the traditional sharp news angle; the trade-off is a more complete perspective.
As journalists, we must strive to offer the most accurate picture and overview of a situation.
Key questions to ask when researching nuances:
What does an overview of all available data show?
How does the data reflect “normality,” as opposed to extremes of success or failure?
How do the findings in the data compare to other areas of debate?
What has developed over the years?
What is the reason for that development?
Is anyone responsible for that development and, if so, who?
Who or what might explain the problem from different perspectives?
Is it better or worse than before?
Why now?
Pillar 3: Conversation
You can involve your audience in story research in two phases: Before choosing the story and after.
Research before choosing the story
Public-powered journalism is about listening to the audience and shaping coverage around citizens’ priorities.
Which problems are people raising that need the attention of those in power? As journalists, engaging with the public allows us tap into our audience’s collective knowledge and curiosity around a particular issue.
Key questions to ask:
What is on the agenda from the citizens’ point of view?
What issues do people wonder about or struggle with?
What is our audience curious about?
Research with engagement after the story has been chosen
By involving our audience after we identify a story, we may give the story a longer shelf life. We can access new knowledge and fresh input, and gather key actors to work on a mutual understanding of the problem and how to resolve it.
Key questions to ask:
What are the most important challenges for the people involved?
Who has the power to make changes? Is it time to explore solutions?
What is the goal of our engagement? Do we want a wider public perspective? Are we hoping to mediate and build bridges between those who disagree?
Should we engage a broad group of citizens? Or should we engage only a small group of key stakeholders, experts and others most affected by the story? What will be the best way to engage the right people to inform this story?
Adapted from “A Handbook for Constructive Journalism” (2022) by Kristina Lund Jørgensen & Jakob Risbro. Produced by the Constructive Institute and International Media Support (IMS).
GROUP EXERCISE
Identifying Nuances in a Story
Find a news story based on a problem and identify the sources in the story. Then do your own research to see how you could add more nuances to the story.
Can you access data that reveals how the situation has developed over a longer period?
Can you find other studies on the topic? Do they offer a different point of view?
What opportunities can you see for engaging in further research?
Write a proposal for a new angle and structure to the story. Finally, discuss as a group: How might the story and the angle change in light of additional data and more sources?