Find the record behind the headline
These guides organize source types and verification questions by reporting beat.
Beat starters
Politics & policy
Congress.gov for federal legislation; pair with agency records and local implementation.
Business & economy
Use SEC filings, labor statistics, court records and company statements; distinguish reported figures from projections.
Health & science
National Academies for evidence reviews; inspect the original study and conflicts of interest.
Crime, courts & law
Confirm the court, docket, charging document and procedural posture. Charges are allegations unless adjudicated.
Environment & disasters
Pair agency alerts with observed conditions, local emergency management and historical data.
Data & investigations
Investigative Reporters and Editors provides reporting resources and training, including NICAR.
Questions that travel across beats
- Who has authority, and under which law or policy?
- What is the primary record?
- What changed, compared with what baseline?
- Who benefits, who bears the cost and who is missing?
- What would disprove the central claim?
Last reviewed September 23, 2026. Links are selected for editorial usefulness; verify source ownership, date and context before publication.