Why Use News in your Research?

News comes to us in many forms, such as a local and national newspapers, television programs, and websites.  Quality news is an excellent source of information.  News reports about what is going on in our local communities, our states, our nation, and the world.  Use a news to:

• Find information about very recent events
• Locate in-depth coverage of regional/national/global issues
• Read about multiple perspectives surrounding an issue
• Examine issues in the context of the time they took place; see how people viewed an event when it happened
• Give a snapshot of a time period detailing how people lived (what they ate, what they purchased, etc).
• Find specific details of an event like persons involved etc.

Journalism is news that uses facts, supported by evidence.  Journalism follows a code of ethics that includes an obligation to truth, a process of verification, and transparency.

Caution: Always evaluate what you find!  Later we will explore tips to help you critically evaluate the information you find.