Week 3: Discussion 1 and 2

Readings and Websites

1. In order to successfully complete this week’s assignments, read the following chapters from the text, Computer-Assisted Research:

· Chapter Four – Types of Material Online: Comparisons of Commercial Services and Web Sites

2. In order to successfully complete this week’s assignments, read the following chapters from the text, The Investigative Reporter’s Handbook:

· Chapter Four – Computer-Assisted Reporting

3. In order to successfully complete this week’s discussion, “F.O.I.A.,” review the material at the following websites:

· First Amendment Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

· Federal Open Government Guide (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

· USDOJ: OIP: Freedom of Information Act Guide, May 2004 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

4. In order to successfully complete this week’s assignment, “Researching Government Websites,” review the material at the following websites:

· Florida Department of Children and Families (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

· U.S. Census Bureau (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

· Filings & Forms (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Recommended Websites and Multimedia

1. In order to add to your understanding of this week’s learning outcomes, it is recommended that you review the material at the following websites:

· National Freedom of Information Coalition (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (The National Freedom of Information Coalition provides links to state freedom-of-information issues and organizations around the country.) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

· The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (The Reporters Committee on Freedom of the Press site features extensive information on federal and state FOI issues and also samples of open-record request letters.)

2. In order to add to your understanding of this week’s learning outcomes, it is recommended that you utilize the multimedia on the following web page:

· Databases, Tables & Calculators by Subject (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (This resource provides a range of multimedia tutorials that explore how to research government data regarding inflation and prices, employment, unemployment, pay and benefits, spending and time use, productivity, workplace injuries, employment projections, regional and international resources, etc.)