April 13, 2016
In What Every Journalist Should Know About Science, Paul Raeburn discusses the difficulties experienced in accurate science-focused reporting — not just by lay journalists but also science journalists themselves. With so many scientific developments occurring within a vast array of topics, one of the biggest challenges faced is “[e]valuating and interpreting complex and sometimes contradictory results.” If science writers have a tough time navigating the scientific seas, the task is twice as challenging for the generalist. Nonetheless, science contributes to many daily events, requiring all journalists to develop and hone the skills necessary for effective, sound reporting — within the realm of science and other areas requiring precise evaluation, interpretation and communication skills.