The research team interviews Carol Pipes, LifeWay’s director of corporate communications, on the research process for journalists and communicators

Summary:

• “It’s all physics.” Carol begins by talking about her dad’s research as an aeronautical engineer and the importance of data for his work.
• What has been asked before about this topic? Journalists want to take a look at all the different angles that have been taken when approaching their topic.
• What do the experts say? Talk to the experts. Find out what those who know the topic best have to say.
• Who has a personal story related to this topic? Personal anecdotes help make the topic relatable to the reader.
• What is most important to the reader? Thinking about the reader’s wants and needs helps the journalist prioritize what goes into a story and what to cut out.

Be sure to Tweet your questions and comments to us: @LifeWayResearch and individually: @smcconn, @statsguycasey, and @lizettebeard. Join us next time for another edition of Keep Asking.

Carol Pipes is director of corporate communications at LifeWay Christian Resources and editor-in-chief of Facts & Trends. Carol has worked in Christian publishing for 17 years, during which time she has written numerous magazine articles and edited books on church planting, spiritual growth, and reaching young adults. She is an avid reader, a morning coffee drinker, and she loves a good Broadway showstopper. A Tennessee native, Carol graduated from the University of Memphis. She and her husband, Keith, live in Nashville. Follow her on Twitter @CarolPipes.

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