Digging Deeper is a comprehensive manual of investigative techniques and a guide filled with practical tips on how to find information on the public record in Canada. Too often, journalists and other researchers take the lead from others, allowing governments, corporations, and other organizations to define the news, deciding what is newsworthy and how a story will be told.

Digging Deeper shows how investigative journalists escape the 'handout mentality' by thinking independently and developing the research techniques necessary to produce investigative reports. Award-winning investigative journalists discuss how to develop story ideas, how to develop research strategies, and how to pitch stories to editors and producers.

Individual chapters offer practical tips on how to research individuals, businesses, and public institutions, including how to use freedom of information laws to access information on the public record. Following the paper trail may lead to other avenues for investigation: surveillance and undercover work. The chapter on interviewing explores who to prepare for interviews, techniques for gathering information from an interview, and how to deal with difficult or reluctant sources. Finding information is only half the battle.

The authors also discuss how to effectively catalogue, index, and organize the vast amounts of information collected during the course of an investigation. They show how Computer Assisted Reporting (CAR) can be used to extend the reporter's research capabilities. And finally, the authors show how to bring it all together: how to use the results of research to write investigative pieces for print, radio, and television for maximum impact and audience interest.

Preface Part I: Getting Started 1. Introduction to Investigative Journalism The Twelve Keys Conclusion 2. The Nuts and Bolts of Investigations What Makes a Good Investigative Story Where Good Ideas Come From Reviewing and Auditing the Idea The Heart of the Investigation Special Situations Getting Help When You're Stuck A Note on Ethics Conclusion Part II: The Key Primary Resources 3 Building a Foundation: Gathering Information Already Published or Broadcast. Traditional Sources Electronic Sources Conclusion 4. Using Public Records Introduction Where They Are What They Say What They Get What They Do Conclusion 5. Accessing Laws and Justice Systems Researching Laws and Regulations Finding and Using Court Records Criminal Case Documents Civil Case Documents Publication Bans and Other Restrictions on Court Documents Accessing Other Justice Records Putting Justice Records to Work 6. Digging into the Past: Using Historical Resources Historical Reference Tools Library Resources Using Archives Part III: Getting to the Heart of the Matter: Specific Investigations 7. Researching and Finding People Introduction Online Backgrounding The Public Records Checklist Connecting the Dots 8. Getting People to Talk: The Art of the Interview The Basic Interview The Successful Investigative Interview Recording the Answers How to Get People to Talk to You The Dilemma of 'Off the Record' Interviewing Online Working with Media-Relations People A Final Note on Media Training 9. Following the Money: Seeing the Business Angle in Any Story Introduction Case Study: A Messenger on Blades Getting the Numbers Getting Information from Outside the Company Conclusion 10. Getting Behind Closed Doors: Using the Information Laws Introduction The Laws How to Make Your Request The Challenges What You Can Get Conclusion 11. Computer-Assisted Reporting Introduction The Development of CAR CAR Tools How the Tools Are Used CAR in Action: A Detailed Case Study CAR as a Tool Conclusion Part IV: Putting It All to Work 12. Organizing, Writing, and Libel-proofing the Investigative Story Preparing to Write, Right from the Start Writing the Investigative Story Writing for Broadcast Libel-Proofing the Story Appendix A: A Quick Guide to Spreadsheets Definitions What it Looks like Appendix B: Database Managers Definitions Basic Operations Other Important Database Skills Appendix C: Finance Facts Glossary of Key Financial Reporting Terms Securities Regulators Tips on Financial Statements Quick Reference: What the Forms Tell You Analysts as Journalistic Sources Online Resources for Business Investigations Endnotes Index

Robert Cribb – Ryerson School of Journalism, Ryerson University and Investigative Reporter, Toronto Star

Dean Jobb – School of Journalism, University of King's College

David McKie – School of Journalism, Carleton University, and Reporter, CBC Investigative Unit

Fred Vallance-Jones – Ryerson School of Journalism, Ryerson University and Investigative Reporter, Hamilton Spectator