Resources

In this workshop, we walked through how to use public and open-source records to identify who really controls entities; trace entities across jurisdictions even when data is fragmented; uncover cross-border foreign influence and lobbying; connect corporate structures to political and financial power; and navigate language and cultural barriers when records aren’t in English.

Individuals and organizations are increasingly scrubbing their digital footprints, but journalists can often still track down what has been removed. This tip sheet provides you with tools to uncover deleted records, scrubbed public data, and hidden connections using investigative techniques and open-source intelligence.

This tip sheet can be used to find information on the disappearance of government data and explore what you can do to keep track of data relevant to your research and reporting.

This tip sheet includes tips for identifying and interviewing sources from Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, Laurie Cohen.

This tip sheet is for Steve Horn's students at the University of Florida, Sept. 2025.

This tip sheet is connected to workshop 4 of our fall candidate backgrounding series. It is best used in conjunction with the workshop recording, available here.

This tip sheet is connected to workshop 3 of our fall candidate backgrounding series. It is best used in conjunction with the workshop recording, available here.

This tip sheet is connected to workshop 2 of our fall candidate backgrounding series, discussing how to find information on candidate wealth. It is best used in conjunction with the workshop recording, available here.

Tip Sheet This tip sheet is connected to workshop 1 of our fall candidate backgrounding series. It is best used in conjunction with the...

With knowledge of the questions we want to answer, we can turn our attention to a set of principles for effective research.

Use this sheet to identify financial disclosures at the state level.

This tip sheet from Exposing the Silence: Reporting on Deaths in Custody is best used alongside the workshop recording. Using both, you'll find valuable information on reporting on deaths in custody and will be well equipped with the tools and knowledge to expose systemic failures that can have tragic consequences.

This tip sheet from Digital Lifeline: Saving At-Risk Data is best used alongside the workshop recording. You'll find valuable information on identifying, preserving and reporting on government data. Using the tip sheet and recording, you will be well equipped with the tools and knowledge to safeguard critical information.

This tip sheet from Following the Money:Investigating Nonprofits and Getting to Know 990s provides valuable information on documents available for tax-exempt organizations, tools for finding information on nonprofits, and Nonprofit Explorer tips.

This tip sheet includes tips for identifying and interviewing sources from Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, Laurie Cohen.

This tip sheet compiles key investigative strategies, expert-recommended articles, and research tools to support journalists.

This tip sheet compiles a robust list of social media platforms that can be useful in background reporting.

This tip sheet compiles key investigative strategies, expert-recommended articles, and research tools to support journalists.

This tip sheet compiles key investigative strategies, expert-recommended articles, and research tools to support journalists.

This tip sheet compiles key investigative strategies, expert-recommended articles, and research tools to support journalists.