Null results—those that contradict a study’s original hypothesis or fail to find a cause-and-effect link between variables—can be easy to dismiss as non-news but may lead to valuable stories that show non-linear progress in science. Journalists can learn where to find null results, how to gauge their newsworthiness and real-world implications, and identify how they fit into larger research trends, many times contradicting what was thought to be true. The post Covering Null Results: How ...| The Open Notebook
Plenty of important science stories happen in communities where some people, for a variety of valid reasons, might be hesitant to talk to journalists coming from outside their borders or culture. That hesitation doesn’t always mean they have no interest in sharing their stories more broadly. Covering these stories takes patience, care, and diligent research—not to mention humility—but they can also highlight issues that need addressing and speak to broader trends in society.| The Open Notebook
The Q&A story format allows writers to act as mediums between experts and audiences, tackling both broad and nuanced topics and exploring through conversation the expert’s story, thought processes, and accumulated knowledge. But preparing, steering, and editing an interview as a stand-alone article poses challenges—and opportunities—that differ from those of a typical news story. The post Crafting Clear and Conversational Q&As appeared first on The Open Notebook.| The Open Notebook
During a reporting trip to Patagonia, science journalists Muriel Alarcón and Christian Elliott teamed up to cover a scientific milestone: a successful lab reproduction of cold-water corals originally found in the Comau Fjord. Their decision to visit the remote fjord—with a local fisherman turned guide—added depth to their stories but also caused them to miss the moment the corals spawned. In this interview, they reflect on how their collaboration enriched their reporting and how they ada...| The Open Notebook
Sarah Cox, British Columbia bureau lead at The Narwhal, has spent her career covering the province’s many environmental problems. Among these issues, her biggest bugbear has been Site C, the multibillion-dollar hydroelectric dam on the Peace River that has destroyed forests, arable soil, and Indigenous lands. Over 12 years of reporting, Cox has become the journalistic authority on Site C. She talks about long-term reporting, how these stories develop, and maintaining hope in the face of dev...| The Open Notebook
