Question 1

An investigative story is proactive.

Accepted Answer

An investigative story is proactive in that it requires the journalist or investigator to seek out information and leads, rather than simply reporting on events or information that has been readily available. It often involves in-depth research, interviews, and a willingness to uncover information that may not be immediately obvious or readily accessible.

Question 2

Investigative reporters are more courageous than most reporters.

Accepted Answer

Courage is subjective and varies among individuals, not necessarily by their job roles or types of reporting.

Question 3

Investigative reporters are more persistent than other reporters.

Accepted Answer

Investigative reporters often spend months or even years researching and pursuing a specific story, and they are known for being persistent in their efforts to uncover the truth.

Question 4

You have to be more ethical to be an investigative reporter.

Accepted Answer

Being an investigative reporter requires adherence to ethical standards similar to those in other journalism fields, focusing on accuracy, fairness, and integrity, rather than a higher level of ethics.

Question 5

When we say reporters are methodical, we mean that they are persistent.

Accepted Answer

Being methodical refers to being systematic and organized in approach, rather than specifically indicating persistence.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of all investigative reporters?
A) They are storytellers.
B) They are curious.
C) They are award winners.
D) They are truth seekers.

Accepted Answer

While many investigative reporters have won awards for their work, it is not necessarily a characteristic that all investigative reporters share. A journalist can still be a successful and effective investigative reporter without winning any awards.

Question 7

Why can investigative reporters be considered scientists?
A) They are nerdier than other journalists.
B) They start their investigation with a hypothesis.
C) They are smarter than other reporters.
D) They often hold science degrees.

Accepted Answer

Investigative reporters start their investigation with a hypothesis, similarly to how scientists begin their research. Both investigative reporters and scientists gather and analyze data to prove or disprove their hypothesis or theory. However, being smarter or having science degrees is not a requirement for investigative reporting.

Question 8

What does it mean when we say that an investigative story goes beyond basic facts?
A) It reports more than just the "for" and "against" sides to the story.
B) It avoids paradoxes.
C) Every source in the story is an expert.
D) It makes problems seem more complicated.

Accepted Answer

When we say that an investigative story goes beyond basic facts, it means that it reports more than just the "for" and "against" sides to the story. It delves deeper into the issue and uncovers more information that may not have been previously known or acknowledged.

Question 9

What kind of reporters were Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein when they uncovered the Watergate scandal in 1972?
A) Metro reporters
B) Science reporters
C) Sports reporters
D) Political reporters.

Accepted Answer

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were metro reporters for The Washington Post when they played a key role in uncovering the Watergate scandal, which eventually led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. They were not specifically political reporters at the time, but their investigative work had a profound impact on American politics.

Question 10

Which of the following is among the criteria IRE uses to define investigative reporting?
A) They uncover secret information.
B) They result in changes to the law.
C) They are done through a reporter's own initiative.
D) They are done using public records laws.

Accepted Answer

Investigative reporting as defined by IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors) includes work done through a reporter's own initiative, highlighting the importance of self-driven investigation in journalism.

Question 11

Why does an investigative reporter need to find a variety of sources even if one person or document proves that something is happening?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why does an investigative reporter need to...

Question 12

How can a story be considered important if it deals with a problem that people already know about?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can a story be considered important...

Question 13

What do we mean when we say a story relies on a smoking gun?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do we mean when we say...

Question 14

How can the Internet help a reporter carry out an investigative story?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can the Internet help a reporter...

Question 15

How can the Internet be a good place to publish investigative stories?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can the Internet be a good...

Question 16

What does it mean when we say that investigative stories often highlight systemic problems?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does it mean when we say...

Question 17

What do we mean when we say that investigative reporters aren't satisfied with a story that is accurate and balanced?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do we mean when we say...

Question 18

Why does an investigative reporter have to be a storyteller?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why does an investigative reporter have to...

Question 19

How can the Internet foster investigative reporting?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can the Internet foster investigative reporting?...

Question 20

What do we mean when we say that a reporter can execute?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do we mean when we say...

Quiz 1: What Is Investigative Reporting

An investigative story is proactive.

Investigative reporters are more courageous than most reporters.

Investigative reporters are more persistent than other reporters.

You have to be more ethical to be an investigative reporter.

When we say reporters are methodical, we mean that they are persistent.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of all investigative reporters?

Why can investigative reporters be considered scientists?

What does it mean when we say that an investigative story goes beyond basic facts?

What kind of reporters were Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein when they uncovered the Watergate scandal in 1972?

Which of the following is among the criteria IRE uses to define investigative reporting?

Why does an investigative reporter need to find a variety of sources even if one person or document proves that something is happening?

How can a story be considered important if it deals with a problem that people already know about?

What do we mean when we say a story relies on a smoking gun?

How can the Internet help a reporter carry out an investigative story?

How can the Internet be a good place to publish investigative stories?

What does it mean when we say that investigative stories often highlight systemic problems?

What do we mean when we say that investigative reporters aren't satisfied with a story that is accurate and balanced?

Why does an investigative reporter have to be a storyteller?

How can the Internet foster investigative reporting?

What do we mean when we say that a reporter can execute?