2.2 What are good sources?

Ideas for science news stories can come from many different sources, and the extent to which a journalist is able to use each source will depend upon available resources, including internet access.

Primary sources are the people who tell you, in person, about something that they are directly part of, so they may be the researcher doing the work, or the patient involved in a clinical trial. They are giving their own account of what's happened.

Secondary sources are one step away from this - they are the electronic or other media in between the journalist and the primary source. They are not exclusive to the journalist.

Possible sources for science stories Primary sources: Non-scientists: politicians, neighbours, other journalists, etc. One-to-one interviews with scientists or other scientific experts Press conferences Secondary sources: Other media Press releases Electronic bulletins Discussion forums Websites of scientific organisations or companies Publications e.g. primary research papers

A journalist may wish to pursue certain sources more than others, depending on the kind of story he or she is after.


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