Rather than scoping a single event, the ability to look widespread, combine and condense data potentially may lead to significant findings and overall, a better report.
Chris Davis, an investigative reporter for the Sarasota Herald Tribune, who specializes in data-base research, has identified that by selecting a single topic and collecting numerous amounts of data in a selected range can lead to common identification. The accumulation of data not only makes the reader or viewer pause in their tracks, but also makes the information more prevalent and urgent.
When performing data base research for a journalistic report, Davis recommends gathering as much as information as you can, whether it may substantially apply to your report or not. This is important because the data gathered that may not contribute to the scope of the study may be used in maps, pie graphs, and even virtual animations.
Collecting data for reporting may also lead to legal action. If an individual is able to gather enough evidence for or against a case, the report itself may stand as a significant document in the judicial process. “Bad guys” may be identified through data collection and may show links to other cases, instances or individuals. When the amount of data is significant, such as a five hundred sample size, exact examples may be easier to select due to the small margin of error.
Personally, having a science background and growing up dabbling in science research for over five years, the importance of immense data collection is key when attempting to report or identify a proof or conclusion. The fact that data collection increases the reliability of a report only makes a reporter more versed and educated in that field. Also, a data-based report is more accurate than a single case and may be linked back to years of information and cases that went undiscovered.
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