This lesson plan is designed to help journalists avoid the common traps and obstacles when undertaking a thorough and intricate investigation.
It’s based on the article ‘Investigative journalism best-practice‘ which is published on Media Helping Media. We recommend trainers read the article before adapting the lesson plan for their own requirements.
Learning objective
Students will identify and evaluate best practices in investigative journalism in order to avoid common pitfalls that often occur during complex investigations. They will apply these practices to hypothetical scenarios, demonstrating their understanding of effective research, interviewing, and ethical considerations.
- Student-facing objective: By the end of this lesson the student will know how to spot and use the best practices in investigative journalism in order to avoid mistakes and to be able handle complex stories effectively.
- Standards: This guide is to help journalists avoid some of the pitfalls and problems often encountered when compiling a detailed and complex investigation.
Learning activities
Warm-up
Begin with a brief discussion on the importance of research in journalism. Ask students to brainstorm what types of sources they might consult when starting an investigation. List their ideas on the board. Then, present a short scenario: “Imagine you’re investigating a local environmental issue. What initial steps would you take to gather information?” Encourage students to think about diverse sources, such as official documents, expert interviews, and community input. This primes them for the lesson’s focus on investigative journalism best practices.
Direct instruction
- Conceptual understanding: Introduce the core principles of investigative journalism. Discuss the importance of thorough research, ethical considerations, and maintaining objectivity. Use a real-world example, such as a well-known investigative report, to illustrate these principles. Highlight how the journalist avoided common pitfalls and maintained credibility.
- Procedural skills and fluency: Explain the process of gathering and verifying information. Break down steps: identifying credible sources, cross-referencing data, and organising findings. Provide a hypothetical scenario, such as investigating a public health issue, and outline the procedural steps a journalist would take. Emphasise the importance of verifying facts and maintaining detailed records.
- Application: Discuss interviewing techniques and ethical considerations. Explain the difference between open-ended and closed-ended questions, and the importance of listening actively. Present a scenario where students must plan an interview with a leading figure in a controversial topic. Guide them through preparing questions, considering ethical implications, and deciding on the record status.
Guided practice
Think, Pair, Share: Facilitate a collaborative exercise to reinforce investigative journalism best practices.
- Think: Present students with a hypothetical scenario involving a complex investigation, such as uncovering financial misconduct in a local government. Ask them to individually list potential pitfalls and best practices they should consider.
- Pair: Have students pair up to discuss their lists. Encourage them to compare their ideas and refine their understanding of best practices in investigative journalism.
- Share: Invite pairs to share their insights with the class. As they present, compile a collective list of best practices on the board, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
- Class discussion: Lead a class discussion to evaluate the compiled list. Encourage students to provide examples or counterexamples from real-world journalism to support their points.
- Reflection: Ask students to reflect on how these best practices can be applied to their own investigative projects, emphasising the importance of ethical considerations and thorough research.
Independent practice
- Assign students a hypothetical investigative journalism project. Provide a brief scenario, such as investigating a local business’s environmental impact.
- Instruct students to outline their research plan, identifying potential sources and interview subjects.
- Have students draft a list of interview questions, ensuring a mix of open-ended and closed-ended questions.
- Require students to write a short reflection on ethical considerations they must keep in mind during their investigation.
- Encourage students to review their peers’ plans and provide constructive feedback, focusing on research thoroughness and ethical considerations.
Assignment
Ask students to answer these questions:
- What is one best practice in investigative journalism you learned today?
- How can ethical considerations impact the credibility of a journalist’s work?
- What’s one question you still have from today’s lesson?
Here are some suggested answers:
- Suggested answer to Question 1: Conducting thorough research and verifying sources.
- Suggested answer to Question 2: Ethical considerations ensure the journalist maintains objectivity and trustworthiness, which are crucial for credibility.
Teacher resources
Differentiation guide
- Advanced learners: Encourage deeper analysis by having them explore complex case studies of investigative journalism. Assign them to identify and critique the strategies used, focusing on ethical dilemmas and innovative research methods. Challenge them to propose alternative approaches or improvements.
- Striving learners: Simplify tasks by breaking down the investigative process into smaller, manageable steps. Provide graphic organisers to help them structure their research and interview plans. Offer additional support through guided questions and examples to clarify ethical considerations and best practices.
- Background reading: We recommend trainers read the article ‘Investigative journalism best-practice‘ before adapting the lesson plan for their own requirements.
Notable definitions
- Investigative journalism: A form of journalism in which reporters carries out an in-depth investigation into a single topic of interest, such as serious crimes, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. Such journalism involves extensive research and fact-checking to uncover the truth.
- Ethical considerations: The moral principles that guide journalists in their work, ensuring they maintain integrity, objectivity, and respect for their subjects. See our ethics section for more on editorial ethics. These includes obtaining informed consent, avoiding harm, and being transparent about their methods.
- Source verification: The process of confirming the accuracy and reliability of information obtained from various sources. This involves cross-referencing data, checking the credibility of the source, and ensuring the information is factual and unbiased.
Required materials
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and screen for displaying examples
- Printed handouts of hypothetical scenarios
- Notebooks and pens for student notes
- Access to computers or tablets for research activities
- Audio recording devices for interview practice (optional)
Lesson summary
- Warm-up
- Direct instruction
- Guided practice
- Independent practice
- Assignment
The free teaching tools at the Khan Academy were used as a basis for converting the original article into a lesson plan.
