How Data-Savvy Are You as a News Consumer?

Discover your level of understanding about data journalism and how it's transforming Canadian news reporting. In just 4 quick questions, we'll evaluate your knowledge of data-driven storytelling, its impact on credibility, and how modern newsrooms use data to uncover hidden stories. Get personalized insights about what you should know to become a more informed news consumer—and receive a custom guide on recognizing quality data journalism.

When you read a news story, how often do you check if the journalist has cited data sources or explained their methodology?

I rarely think about it—I trust the outlet and move on. Sometimes I notice if sources are mentioned, but I don't dig deeper. I often look for data sources and try to understand the methodology. I always verify sources, check for transparency, and evaluate data quality.

How familiar are you with the process journalists use to transform raw data into news stories?

I've never really thought about how journalists analyze data. I know they collect data, but I'm unclear about the steps involved. I understand they clean data, analyze patterns, and verify findings. I know the full process: source identification, cleaning, analysis, verification, and visualization.

What do you believe is the main advantage of data-driven journalism over traditional reporting?

I'm not sure—it seems like just another way to report news. It uses numbers, which makes stories seem more credible. It reveals hidden patterns and provides deeper context than anecdotal reporting. It combines verified data with storytelling to uncover hidden stories, build trust, enable accountability, and engage readers through visualization.

How would you evaluate whether a data journalism story is high-quality and trustworthy?

I trust major news outlets like CBC or the Globe and Mail without questioning their methods. I check if the story mentions data sources and looks visually professional. I look for transparent methodology, multiple sources, and expert consultation. I evaluate methodology transparency, verify sources independently, check for limitations acknowledged, and assess how data is visualized for accuracy.