AHCJ Treasurer Ivan Oransky, M.D., who’s also the executive editor of Reuters Health and a teacher at NYU, stopped by Ed Yong’s “Not Exactly Rocket Science” blog to offer his tips for finding sources when reporting on studies.
Oransky writes that the key is to focus on a source that provides outside perspective, not just on a source that provides an opposing viewpoint. Sometimes, Oransky says, that outside perspective will simply reinforce what the study’s authors have said. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
He also gives practical directions for finding knowledgeable sources, with specific suggestions both for reporters on deadline and for those who have the luxury of reporting things out a little.
