From data to story: Data journalism definition & examples

In recent years, data journalism has emerged as a powerful and transformative force in the field of journalism. With the increasing amount of data available, data journalism has become an important tool for journalists to analyze and present information in a more impactful way. In this blog post, we’ll explore what data journalism is, the skills required, and examples of successful data journalism stories.

In addition to discussing the fundamentals of data journalism and highlighting the essential skills necessary for this type of reporting, we’ll also showcase some great examples of data visualizations made using Infogram. 

Click to jump ahead:
What is data journalism?
Data journalism stories
Skills required for data journalism
Data journalism examples 
The power of data and Infogram

What is data journalism?

Data journalism is a form of journalism that enables reporters to use quantitative data to uncover hidden trends, patterns, and insights that might otherwise go unnoticed. By collecting and analyzing data, journalists can provide readers with a deeper understanding of complex issues and present information in a way that is more easily digestible.

In recent years, data journalism has become increasingly popular as the internet and digital technology have made it easier to collect, store, and share data. This has led to a significant increase in the number of journalists who are using data to enhance their reporting.

While traditional journalism is often based on anecdotal evidence and personal experience, data journalism relies on empirical evidence, giving readers a more objective view of a topic or issue. As a result, data journalism has been instrumental in uncovering important stories that might otherwise have gone undiscovered.

By using data visualization tools such as Infogram, journalists can present data in a visually appealing way that engages readers and enhances their understanding of the information being presented.

Data-driven & data journalism definition 

Data-driven journalism is another term that is often used interchangeably with data journalism. While there is some overlap between the two, data-driven journalism tends to focus more on using data to drive the reporting process, while data journalism is more focused on using data to enhance storytelling.

Data journalism stories

One of the best ways to understand data journalism is to look at some examples of successful data journalism stories. Here are a few examples that demonstrate the power of data journalism in uncovering important stories:

1. The Panama Papers: In 2016, a massive leak of documents from a Panamanian law firm exposed the offshore financial dealings of some of the world’s most powerful people. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) used data analysis to sift through the millions of documents and uncover the complex web of financial transactions that had been hidden from public view.
   
   

2. The Guardian’s “The Counted”: In 2015, The Guardian launched an interactive database called “The Counted,” which tracked every police killing in the United States. The project aimed to shed light on the problem of police violence and to hold law enforcement accountable for their actions.
   
   

3. The New York Times “The Upshot”: The New York Times’ data journalism team, known as “The Upshot,” has produced a wide range of stories using data analysis. One example is their analysis of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, which used data to show how certain groups of voters were more likely to support each candidate.
   
   

Skills required for data journalism

Data journalism requires a unique set of skills that combine traditional journalism skills with data analysis and visualization skills. Here are some of the key skills required for data journalism:

Data analysis 

Data journalists need to be able to analyze large amounts of data to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies. By sifting through vast amounts of data, data journalists can identify trends that may be missed by other journalists or researchers, providing them with a unique perspective on a particular issue or topic. 

Furthermore, analyzing large data sets enables data journalists to support their reporting with empirical evidence. This provides readers with a more objective and reliable view of the story they’re telling. This is especially important in today’s media landscape, where there is a growing mistrust of traditional media sources.

Visualization

Visualizations are an effective way of presenting complex data, enabling people to understand it quickly and easily. By transforming data into a visual format, data journalists can create a more accessible and engaging representation of the information, making it easier to communicate to a broad audience. That’s one of the many reasons why data journalists need to be able to turn complex data into easy-to-understand visualizations, such as charts, graphs, and maps. 

Using Infogram, data journalists can create visualizations that communicate complex data in a clear and concise manner. Infogram’s interactive features allow users to explore the data and gain insights in real-time. This can help readers better understand the data and the story behind it.

Infogram dashboard template

Coding

While not all data journalists need to be proficient coders, having some knowledge of coding can be helpful for working with large datasets. When working with large datasets, coding skills can help data journalists automate repetitive tasks and save time. For example, they can write scripts to clean and transform data, allowing them to focus on analyzing and interpreting the results. 

Familiarity with coding can also help data journalists better understand the limitations and possibilities of different data analysis tools and techniques. This can help them make more informed decisions about which tools to use and how to optimize their workflow.

Critical thinking

Critical thinking is essential for data journalists to ensure that they’re presenting accurate and unbiased information. They need to be able to identify any errors, inconsistencies, or anomalies in the data, and investigate their causes.

Data journalists also need to consider the potential implications of their analysis, including any ethical concerns that may arise. They need to understand the context in which the data was collected and be mindful of how their findings may impact different stakeholders.

To think critically about the data they’re analyzing, data journalists need to have a deep understanding of the subject matter they’re covering. They need to be able to ask informed questions, seek out additional sources of information and expertise, and approach their analysis with a healthy dose of skepticism. This helps them to ensure that the reporting is accurate, trustworthy, and provides value to their audience.

Communication

Effective communication is essential for data journalists to ensure that their findings reach a broad audience and have a real impact. They need to be able to distill complex ideas and data points into simple, compelling stories that resonate with their readers or viewers.

To communicate effectively, data journalists need to be able to use a range of media, including text, visuals, and audio, to tell their stories. They need to be able to tailor their communication style to their audience, using language and formats that are appropriate for the topic and the intended audience.

Clear and accessible communication is particularly important in fields like science, politics, and public health, where data-driven decisions can have significant consequences for society. By making data accessible to non-experts, data journalists can help inform public debate and policy-making, and ultimately improve outcomes for everyone.

Data journalism examples 

If you want to create highly engaging data stories, you need to implement eye-catching data visualizations in your articles. Infogram is a powerful data viz tool that helps you convey complex information in a visually appealing and easily understandable manner.

With Infogram, you can create interactive and engaging infographics, charts, maps, and other data visualizations. Many online publishers use Infogram to enhance their data storytelling efforts. Here are a few great examples of our clients that showcase what you can do with Infogram.

USA Today: US President longevity graphics 

USA Today uses Infogram to showcase US president longevity graphics in their article titled “Carter’s long life: How longevity compares to presidents”. The article analyzes the lifespan of US presidents using highly engaging and interactive data visualizations that truly impressed us.

The graphics are embedded throughout the article, allowing readers to interact with the data and see the information in a clear and concise way. Furthermore, these data visualizations add essential context and visual appeal to the story, enabling readers to connect to it more deeply.

One of the graphics in the article is a Gantt chart that visualizes the timeline of US presidents, highlighting their inauguration dates and comparing their lifespans with each other. The chart provides additional information in the form of text and visuals about the presidents, which makes the chart even more insightful and visually appealing.

Another great data visualization example by USA Today showcases a dot plot, which effectively juxtaposes the inauguration year of each president with the duration of their tenure in office. With additional imagery and background colors, this graphic allows readers to easily recognize and compare the inauguration dates of each political party and president.

Overall, USA Today has effectively used Infogram to present complex data in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand way, allowing readers to fully comprehend the information being presented. For more great data visualization examples, read the USA Today article.

FOX Television Stations timeline infographic

The timeline infographic created by FOX Television Stations effectively presents sensitive information in an engaging manner. By using a timeline format, it effectively showcases the progression of events, and the animated unfolding of the situation captures the viewer’s attention. As one scroll down, new information is revealed, and the animation makes the discovery process highly captivating. The visuals used in the infographic also provide additional context, making the information more comprehensible.

This infographic not only has a visually appealing design but also encourages the viewer to explore more. The clickable sources at the end of the infographic provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the topic, demonstrating how infographics can direct traffic to specific websites and promote further learning. Overall, the FOX Television Stations’ timeline infographic is a valuable example of presenting sensitive information in a clear and engaging manner.

USA Today: Oscars Best Picture winners box office 

In data journalism, it’s important to capture people’s attention and make sure your data visualizations are engaging and informative. The data visualization crafted by USA Today excels in all three crucial aspects: engagement, readability, and interactivity, effectively captivating the audience’s attention while providing valuable information. The USA Today article features a graphic that provides a comprehensive look at the box office performance of Best Picture winners from the Academy Awards over the years.

The chart is designed in a visually appealing way, with a combination of colors and shapes that help users differentiate between different sections and categories of data. The colors used in the chart are easy on the eyes and don’t overwhelm the viewer with too much information.

One of the most prominent features of this chart is the use of data points to represent each movie’s box office performance. The user can hover over each point to view additional details, such as the movie’s name, the year it was released, and its box office earnings.

Overall, this data visualization by USA Today is an effective way to showcase the box office performance of Best Picture winners over the years. The use of interactive features helps the user understand the data in a meaningful way.

News18: US midterm election real-time data visualization

The data visualizations used by News18 to tell interactive data stories about the 2022 US midterm elections are incredibly effective in presenting complex information in an easily digestible format.

The main dashboard displays a map of the United States, color-coded to show which political party is leading in each state. This is an excellent way to convey the current state of the election quickly, and users can hover over each state to see more detailed information about the results.

Also, there are several interactive charts that show various statistics related to the election. One chart displays the number of seats each party currently holds in the House and Senate, with the ability to switch between the two. Another chart shows the number of seats up for election in each state, with the ability to sort by the number of seats and which party currently holds them.

In conclusion, the examples provided above demonstrate how Infogram can be used to present complex information in an appealing and easily understandable manner. From interactive charts and graphs to timelines and maps, Infogram can help you bring your data to life and make it more accessible to your readers.

Data Journalism Resources

Equipping yourself with the right skills and knowledge is essential for a successful data journalism career. Here are some valuable resources to help you on your journey:

Online courses and tutorials

Numerous online platforms offer courses and tutorials on data analysis, data visualization, and data journalism fundamentals. Explore platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy for options ranging from beginner to advanced levels.

Datasets and data journalism tools

Finding quality data is crucial for data journalism. Websites like https://data.gov/ and World Bank Open Data: https://data.worldbank.org/ provide a wealth of free and open data on various topics. To create impactful data visualizations, explore Infogram.

Infogram blog

Bookmark the Infogram blog (you’re already here!) as a one-stop shop for data visualization insights, tutorials, and industry trends. Also, discover 50 amazing free data sources here – this blog article provides a comprehensive list of great data sources that’ll fuel your data exploration.

Websites and publications about data journalism

Stay updated on the latest trends and best practices by following prominent data journalism websites and publications. Check out The Guardian’s Data Blog, FiveThirtyEight, and The Pudding for a diverse range of data-driven stories and analysis.

By actively engaging with these resources, you’ll gain the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field of data journalism. Remember, data is powerful, and with the right tools and techniques, you can use it to tell compelling stories and uncover hidden truths.

The power of data and Infogram

Data journalism is a rapidly growing field that has the potential to revolutionize the way we consume news and information. It has become a vital tool for journalists to uncover hidden trends, patterns, and insights that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.

In order to be a successful data journalist, one needs to have a combination of traditional journalism skills, such as interviewing, writing, and research, as well as technical skills such as data analysis, visualization, and coding. Additionally, data journalists must possess critical thinking and communication skills to be able to present the information in a way that is understandable to a wide audience.

When it comes to telling data stories, engaging data visualizations are a must. And that’s where Infogram comes in. By using Infogram to create visually appealing data visualizations, online publishers can attract attention, make information easily readable, and boost engagement. Plus, it’s easy to embed your visual content on multiple digital platforms with various sharing options. If you’re missing an interactive timeline, infographic, or chart for your story, don’t hesitate to sign up and try out Infogram today! 

Interested in discovering how Infogram can enhance your team’s work? Join a brief Zoom session with our Infogram representative to explore key features, get answers to your questions, and understand how we can assist. It’s quick, informative, and just like a coffee break chat. Schedule your call now!