How can you use problem solving skills to find news stories?

Problem solving skills are essential for journalists who want to find and report on original and relevant news stories. But how can you use them effectively in your daily work? Here are some tips and examples of how to apply problem solving skills to different stages of the news production process.

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1 Identify a problem

The first step of problem solving is to identify a problem that needs a solution. This could be a gap in information, a contradiction, a controversy, a trend, a challenge, or simply a question that sparks your curiosity. To find problems, you can monitor social media and online forums for emerging issues and feedback from your audience and experts. Additionally, scanning local and international media for stories that are underreported or misrepresented may be useful. Surveys, polls, interviews, or focus groups can also provide data and insights from your target market or community. Analysis of statistics, reports, documents, or databases can help to identify patterns, anomalies, or discrepancies. Lastly, observing events in your field may reveal problems or opportunities.

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Haseeb Hassan

HIS Implementation Specialist | PMP candidate | Digital Health Informatics | Google Certifed UX design
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Stay Informed: Regularly follow news sources, social media, and community forums to stay updated on current events and issues. Identify Trends and Patterns: Look for recurring themes or patterns in news stories. Identify topics that seem to be gaining attention or generating discussion. Understand Your Audience: Consider the interests and concerns of your target audience. What issues matter to them? What problems are they facing?

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Corwin Luthuli Mhlahlo

Principal Communications & Strategic Solutions Consultant at Comecinc Communications & Strategic Solutions Services Inc.
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Since the discovery of the internet and the rise of Google, my problem-solving skills have come a long way. Consequently, whenever I want to put my problem-solving skills to work, my first port of call is often Google. That's because not only does Google assist with problem-solving, but its PAA (People Also Ask) feature also informs what related problems people would like solved for them. I often use this feature to find topics for articles or blog posts to research and then write about. The resultant pieces often become Google snippets or rank quite well because they contain answers to problems people would have been curious to find answers to. Other helpful online platforms are Ask the Public and Quora. Especially the latter.

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Raka Akbar

Digital Forensics & Incident Response Enthusiast
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Always observe every detail that happens in your surroundings, no matter how small. From shifting seasons to political collisions, there will always be hidden problems that can be identified. You can use the 5W1H concepts to identify a problem and use it as the base for creating your news story. 5W: 1. What is the problem you see? 2. Who is involved in creating the problem? 3. When did the problem happen? 4. Where did the problem happen? 5. Why does the problem need to be fixed? 1H: 1. How can the problem be solved? After you manage to answer all of the questions, you will be able to create the foundation for your news story.

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2 Research the problem

Once you have identified a problem, you need to research it thoroughly to understand its causes, effects, dimensions, and stakeholders. To do this, you can search online databases, libraries, archives, or websites for relevant information and sources. It's also important to use keywords, filters, operators, or queries to refine your search and find specific or reliable information. Additionally, you should evaluate the credibility, accuracy, timeliness, and bias of the information and sources you find. Finally, it's essential to organize, categorize, and summarize the information you collect in notes, outlines, or charts. This will help you compare and contrast different perspectives, arguments, or evidence on the problem.

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Haseeb Hassan

HIS Implementation Specialist | PMP candidate | Digital Health Informatics | Google Certifed UX design
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Define the Problem: Clearly articulate the problem you are investigating. Define its scope, boundaries, and key components. Understand what makes it a significant issue. Literature Review: Conduct a literature review to understand the historical context of the problem. Identify previous research, reports, and articles related to the issue. Collect Data: Gather relevant data through primary and secondary sources. This may include official reports, government publications, academic studies, surveys, interviews, and firsthand observations.

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3 Generate solutions

Once you have researched the problem, it is necessary to generate solutions that can address or improve it. Brainstorming, mind mapping, and freewriting are great strategies for coming up with as many ideas as possible without judging or filtering them. You can also apply logic, reasoning, and critical thinking to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and implications of your ideas. Creativity, imagination, and innovation can help you come up with original, novel, or alternative ideas. Collaborating with other journalists, experts, or sources can provide feedback or suggestions to support your ideas. Finally, testing, experimenting, and prototyping your ideas can show how they work in practice or in different scenarios.

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Haseeb Hassan

HIS Implementation Specialist | PMP candidate | Digital Health Informatics | Google Certifed UX design
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Expert Consultation: Consult with experts and professionals related to the field or issue. Seek their input on potential solutions based on their knowledge and experience. Interview Key Stakeholders: Interview key stakeholders involved in or affected by the problem. Ask them about their ideas and suggestions for addressing the issue. Best Practices Research: Research best practices implemented in other regions or countries facing similar problems. Identify successful strategies that could be adapted to the local context.

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4 Choose a solution

Once you have generated solutions, it is important to select the best one that can solve the problem or meet your goals. You can employ various criteria and methods to choose a solution, such as aligning it with your purpose, audience, and ethics as a journalist. Additionally, it is essential to consider the costs, benefits, risks, and trade-offs of your solution. Moreover, you should prioritize your solution based on its urgency, importance, or impact and use data, evidence, or logic to support your solution. Finally, you should seek consensus, approval, or validation from your editor, peers, or sources for your solution.

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5 Implement the solution

Once you have chosen the solution, you must implement it in your news story. To do so, you can plan, outline, or structure your news story according to your solution and format (e.g., article, video, podcast, etc.). Additionally, it is important to write, edit, or produce your news story with clear, concise, and engaging language and style. Moreover, facts, quotes, examples, or visuals should be incorporated to illustrate the relevance of your solution to the problem and the audience. Furthermore, sources and information should be cited, referenced, or attributed to ensure accuracy and credibility. Finally, publishing, distributing, or promoting your news story can help you reach your audience and achieve your objectives.

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6 Evaluate the solution

Once you have implemented the solution, you should evaluate its results and outcomes. You can track, monitor, or analyze the performance of your news story using metrics, indicators, or tools. Additionally, it is important to solicit and respond to feedback from your audience, sources, or peers. Moreover, you should review your successes, failures, and challenges in solving the problem and producing the news story. If necessary, you should also update or revise your news story based on new information or developments. Finally, don’t forget to celebrate your achievements in solving the problem and producing the news story.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you use problem solving skills to find news stories?

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1 Identify a problem

2 Research the problem

3 Generate solutions

4 Choose a solution

5 Implement the solution

6 Evaluate the solution

7 Here’s what else to consider

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