The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. Add to that more than 3,000 tipsheets from our national conferences on how to cover specific beats or do specific stories and you have a resource that no reporter or editor should be without. These stories and tipsheets are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Logged-in members can view the tipsheets free online:
Search results for "county" ...
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Python programming for the rest of us
We will cover the basics and show you how a little programming can save you hours or days of time and make you look like a genius to your boss. Requirements: a laptop, a Google sign-in and curiosity. https://github.com/roncampbell/nicar-2013#nicar13
Tags: Python; programming
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The numbers don’t lie * *If you read them really carefully
This is Campbell's Powerpoint presentation for the panel: Analyzing the past, present and future with U.S. Census data. He includes the pros and cons of using Census data as well as some tips for stories you can do using the Census.
Tags: census; data; story ideas
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American FactFinder Gateway to the Census
Campbell thoroughly goes through American FactFinder with lots of tips and tricks along the way.
Tags: census; American FactFinder; data; tools
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Using census data to report on the economy
Campbell gives great tips on how to use Census data, including things to be cautious about.
Tags: Census
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Mining for Gold in County and State Government
Shipp provides useful tips for mining through your county and state government agencies, including how to deal with employees who aren't familiar dealing with reporters and what to know before you even talk to them.
Tags: mining; local; county; state; government agency
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Looking into tax liens
Follow the money with the help of The Center for Public Integrity's, Schulte, and along the way get great sources and contacts. These tips include online tax sales in Baltimore and several big Florida counties.
Tags: taxes; tax liens; online tax sales
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Digging into Profits: IRS form 990
Campbell gives some basics of the form 990 - what it includes/excludes. He gives detailed descriptions of some of the more important parts of the form - lines where you'll find useful information. He also includes a list of other useful schedules to review when investigating nonprofits.
Tags: IRS; nonprofits; endowments; form 990; schedules; charity; charities
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American FactFinder: Gateway to the 2010 Census
Campbell walks us through the new American FactFinder site which hosts all 2010 Census data (and should include older data by September 2011). He provides tricks and tips of navigating the data and the types of reports you can get from the site.
Tags: American FactFinder; Census; data; analysis
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Analyzing PUMS with SPSS
Campbell addresses the complexity of both the Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) and the Statistical Package for Socail Sciences (SPSS), but discusses how they belong together "like love and marriage." SPSS was built to deal with massive amounts of information, and PUMS provides just that. Campbell's tipsheet is a step-by-step guide
Tags: PUMS; SPSS; Census; analysis; data; American Community Survey;
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Analyzing PUMS online
Campbell walks you through analyzing PUMS (Public Use Microdata Sample) data online via the Minnesota Population Center's site, highlighting some of the most important features.
Tags: PUMS; Public Use Microdata Sample; Census; data; tract