I do hope that this gets good uptake - it'll address one of my pet peeves about science stories in the mainstream media.
We have just launched two free online courses for
journalists on science and statistics http://www.statslife.org.uk/resources/for-journalists
The journalism e-learning modules, funded by the
Department of Business and Innovation (BIS), takes journalists through a range
of real-life scenarios related to statistics, surveys, scientific research and
uncertainty. They highlight questions to ask, pitfalls to look out for, and how
to communicate clearly to an audience.
The courses are targeted at all journalists and
journalism students, particularly those without scientific or statistical
training. Both modules are available free of charge on the RSS website at http://www.statslife.org.uk/resources/for-journalists
Science for journalists provides an overview of where
scientific and health stories start - how science works and is communicated,
key questions to ask, and how to find suitable experts.
Statistics for journalists helps journalists to question
and report on basic statistics that are central to many everyday stories -
including surveys and polls, percentages and uncertainty.
Each course takes around 20 - 30 minutes to complete at
the user's own pace, and are self-guided.
The courses are based on presentations developed through
the RSS Science Journalism Programme, developed and delivered by volunteers to
journalists and journalism students across the UK from 2010-2015.
For full details on the programme, including example
syllabuses, presentations and resources, and the network of tutors who volunteer
to deliver presentations on science and statistics in newsrooms and at
universities, see http://www.statslife.org.uk/resources/for-journalists
Scott Keir
Head of Education and Statistical Literacy
The Royal Statistical Society
12 Errol Street, London EC1Y 8LX
Direct dial: (44) 020 7614 3929
The RSS is a registered charity No. 306096
