Data Analysis and Visualization Tools for Science Writers

The Open Notebook

This workshop will focus on reporting & producing data stories about science topics, highlighting free tools for analysis & visualization.

Science writers are used to encountering data, whether we’re reading through dense scientific papers or trying to figure out what a statistic means for our readers. But sometimes, datasets themselves can be sources for stories—and they have led to some of the most widely read science stories of the last few years, from <a href="https://elpais.com/especiales/coronavirus-covid-19/a-room-a-bar-and-a-class-how-the-coronavirus-is-spread-through-the-air/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">El Pais’ visualization of coronavirus spread</a> to <a href="https://www.propublica.org/series/black-snow" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">ProPublica’s investigation of burning sugar cane</a>. Datasets can help us make complex topics accessible, visualize patterns from research, or even investigate instances of wrongdoing.A science writer interested in pursuing stories like these could find a wide variety of resources to help them get started on a data project. But the growing data journalism field can be overwhelming: you might not be sure how to pick an initial project, which online course to try, which tools to use, or whether you need to learn how to code first. (Spoiler alert: you don’t!)This 90-minute hands-on workshop from The Open Notebook, building on <a href="https://www.theopennotebook.com/2020/07/28/interrogating-data-a-science-writers-guide-to-data-journalism/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">the instructor’s TON article about this topic</a>, will provide a crash course in data reporting basics. It’s designed for science writers who are interested in pursuing data stories but aren’t quite sure how to get started, and for editors who are interested in working with writers on these stories.You’ll get an introduction to all of the steps of reporting and producing a data story, from finding story ideas to editing and fact-checking. The workshop will include an interactive tutorial showcasing two common tools that you can start using immediately.You will learn how to:<ul><li>Recognize potential data stories on your beat</li><li>Search for public datasets that you can use</li><li>Use free tools for data analysis and visualization</li><li>Work with a data team or independently as a freelancer</li><li>Make your data stories accessible</li></ul>The workshop will be recorded and made available to registered participants for three months following the workshop.

<a href="https://betsyladyzhets.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Betsy Ladyzhets</a> is an independent science, health, and data journalist focused on COVID-19 and the future of public health. She runs the <a href="https://coviddatadispatch.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">COVID-19 Data Dispatch</a>, a publication that provides news, resources, and original reporting on COVID-19 data. Recently, she was a journalism fellow at MuckRock, where she contributed to award-winning COVID-19 investigations. She also previously managed the Science &amp; Health vertical at Stacker and volunteered at the COVID Tracking Project. Her freelance work has appeared in Science News, The Atlantic, STAT, FiveThirtyEight, MIT Technology Review, and other national publications.

The registration fee is $125.About our discounted rates: Our goal at The Open Notebook is to support the advancement of science journalists around the world. In particular, we want to ensure that the resources we provide are accessible to those who have experienced higher-than-average barriers to entry in our field. A limited number of discounted slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis to individuals who are members of communities that have historically been underrepresented in science journalism or whose economic circumstances would make the full cost of the workshops a financial strain. To use this discount, add the promo code TON_70DISCOUNT for a 70 percent discount. (The promo code box is above the workshops listing on the sign-up page.)

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Data Analysis and Visualization Tools for Science Writers

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