Data Journalism : Introduction

One Day Course

Overview

Data-driven journalism is the increasingly popular process of analysing and filtering data to find new stories or different angles on existing stories. This is a one day course that will teach journalists to how use the powerful data-analysis tools in Microsoft Excel to assess data from different sources and look for stories within the facts.

This course assumes a working knowledge of Excel, if you do not have that, we can run a tailored course for you. Please call to discuss this option. This is not a course that will teach you to write a story, if you wish to hone your writing skills, you should consider taking our Introduction to Feature Writing or Introduction to News Writing courses as well. To attend this course you need a working knowledge of Excel. You should be able to create and format your own spreadsheets and workbooks and create formulas. If you don't know Excel, we can run a tailored course for you. Please call to discuss this option.

Public Course Dates & Pricing

23rd Apr 18 London Bridge £250 + VAT SPECIAL  OFFER
23rd May 18 London Bridge £325 + VAT SOLD  OUT
18th Jun 18 London Bridge £275 + VAT SPECIAL  OFFER
18th Jul 18 London Bridge £325 + VAT SOLD  OUT
13th Aug 18 London Bridge £325 + VAT RESERVE  NOW
12th Sep 18 London Bridge £325 + VAT RESERVE  NOW
8th Oct 18 London Bridge £325 + VAT RESERVE  NOW

  • Public Courses

    Maximum class size of five (the smallest in London) so you get the maximum amount of trainer time possible. You attend with delegates from other companies.

    A great, cost efficient way to learn, discounts are also available for group bookings.

    Discount Info

  • Private Courses

    One to one tuition or a private group with just your colleagues. Your choice of duration, content and location. We can train at one of our centres or onsite with you wherever you are located.

    We offer a free consultation service to help work out every detail and build the perfect course for you.

    Free Consultation

Course Outline

  • Introduction
    • What is Data Journalism?
    • Why is there such an increase in Data Journalism?
    • Examples of good Data Journalism
    • Merging technical knowledge and journalism

    Mission critical Excel skills
    • How to use Excel to find stories
    • Conditional formatting
    • IF and LOOKUP
    • Sorting
    • Auto-filtering data
    • Constructing a drop-down menu
    • Turning records into a table

    Pivot tables and journalism
    • Why journalists need pivot tables
    • Creating a pivot table
    • Auto-filtering data
    • Constructing a table
    • Moving fields around
    • Various ways of displaying values
    • Manoeuvring fields around the table
    • Creating different results and tables from the same spreadsheet
  • Finding data online
    •Turning online text into a spreadsheet
    •Finding data journalism sources online
    •Preparing third-party spreadsheets for your analysis
    •Recognising data entry errors and how to repair them
    •When to add your own data columns to a spreadsheet
    – and how to use them to analyse data

    Finding Stories in the Data
    •Asking the right questions
    •Analysing the data in different ways
    •Finding new story ideas
    •Looking for the hidden story

    Questions and answers

Who Are We?

LCMJ is the UK's leading writing and journalism training provider.

Our courses are aimed at business people and writers who need to develop their writing skills to communicate clearly and effectively.

Course Downloads

London Bridge Centre

Unit 5,
Suffolk House,
127-129 Great Suffolk Street,
London
SE1 1PP

Discounts

Are you a freelancer or a registered charity?

You could qualify for up to
15% OFF
Tell us when you reserve.

Why Choose Us?

  • We know training inside out. We can advise you on all the options to make sure you get the best possible course.

  • Tell us you need to cancel 5 working days before your course and there’s no charge. Great for your peace of mind.

  • The smallest class size in the industry. More one on one time with the trainer and a less intimidating group size.

  • We provide a lovely onsite lunch so you can relax. We won't send you out to the shops with a voucher.

Miranda
Freelance
19th Aug

I thought the classes were well delivered in easily manageable chunks. Enjoyabe.

Vivian
Fashion United
11th Feb

A very insightful, detailed course with a bonus of lunch outside.

Abi
AAs Council England
11th Feb

The practical exercises really helped to boost my confidence and cement the theory.

Lauren
European Lung Foundation
21st Jan

I found the course online, it was good value for money and covered all the right areas.

Support & Inspiration

  • After your course we won't leave you hanging. If you forget something you covered, call us and one of our expert trainers will get you back up and running.

  • At the end of the course you'll be provided with comprehensive course notes to use when you get back to the office. You also receive a certificate of attendence.

  • Skills videos, tutorials and articles created by our expert trainers are regularly posted on our site. These will keep you inspired and help polish your skills.

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