There was a time when the Federal Election Commission was a good source for raw campaign finance data but not for searching the data federal campaigns filed with the Commission. Over the past two years, the FEC has dramatically improved the ability to search and download from its site. Here's a quick tour.
Read MoreSpike Lee Twitter Mistake Raises Issue of "Subject Confusion"
Spike Lee Twitter mistake raises issue of "subject confusion," i.e. just because someone has the same name as your research subject doesn't mean they are your research subject
Read MoreSteve Jobs FBI File
Steve Jobs FBI file --The FBI uses public records too
Read MoreWall Street Journal’s Motion to Intervene Reopens Court Case that Blocked Public Disclosure of Medicare Claims Data in 1979
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) maintains a computerized database that tracks every Medicare claim filed by providers and every dollar paid out to beneficiaries. The database is accessible by government investigators to detect fraud, but it is unavailable in its entirety to the general public due to a 1979 federal court decision. Yesterday, a United States Magistrate Judge recommended that the case be reopened for consideration.
Read MoreDouble-check the Big, Game-Changing Claims – Here’s Why
Yesterday, The New York Times ran a piece discussing the decision by Henry Holt & Company to stop printing and selling The Last Train from Hiroshima. Publishers have consistently claimed that fact checking book-length works is too cumbersome and that ultimately authors are responsible for the content of their work. Regardless of how the book publishing industry opts to come to terms with fact checking challenges, the Times piece contained a good rule of thumb for public records researchers.
Read MoreAppointment Calendars of Elected Officials are Increasingly Becoming Public Records
While disclosure is voluntary at the federal level, there is some early momentum among legislators to provide their daily appointment calendars on their websites.
Read MorePulitzer Prize Winning Use of Public Records
The East Valley Tribune in Mesa, Arizona, received a Pulitzer prize for its investigation of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO). The Tribune spent several months submitting public records requests related to MCSO operations and conducting interviews to learn more about the efficacy of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's high publicized illegal immigration enforcement program. The project provides an interesting case study on how to use law enforcement agency statistics to understand department trends and priorities.
Read MoreBackgrounding Expert Witnesses
In preparing for an upcoming trial, it is crucial to know the background of any expert witness you are going to cross-examine. Reviewing their previous work and past statements will provide insight into any biases they may possess, and give you the foresight necessary for a stronger case.
Read MoreIntegrating Expert Knowledge and Public Records for Fact Verification
Despite the ready availability of public records that could help publishers perform simple fact checks on the manuscripts and personalities they handle, few do - making literary and media deception fairly simple to pull off.
Read MoreThe Role of Public Records in the Political Nomination and Confirmation Process
In the coming weeks and months, individuals will be nominated by the Obama White House to serve in various federal agencies and judicial positions. Here we provide an overview of the federal nomination and confirmation process and the role that public records play in the success or failure of nominees.
Read MoreUsing Archives
When records are retired they are usually sent to an off site archive for storage. Archival research is an important part of any complete research plan and can lead to important data.
Read MoreCase Study – How Not to Deliver an Expert Study
This case study should put to rest any lingering doubts about whether we can learn more from failure or success, at least as the lesson relates to preparing and delivering expert studies. For more on our analysis of why a study purporting to demonstrate the economic costs of unwed mothers failed to garner significant media and public attention read here.
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