The National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting, a joint program of IRE and the Missouri School of Journalism; the Knight Chair at Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication; and IRE are proud to have the Philip Meyer Journalism Award, a contest to recognize the best journalism done using social science research methods.
The awards are in honor of Philip Meyer, professor emeritus and former Knight Chair of Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Meyer is the author of Precision Journalism, the seminal 1972 book (and subsequent editions) that focused growing numbers of journalists on the idea of using social science methods to do better journalism. He pioneered in using survey research as a reporter for Knight Ridder newspapers to explore the causes of race riots in the 1960s.
Three awards are given annually — a first, second and third place — to recognize the best work using techniques that are part of precision journalism, computer-assisted reporting and social science research. The awards are: $500 for first, $300 for second, and $200 for third.
Download the 2012 entry form.
For information on the 2011 Award winners, click here.
The 2012 Award winners will be presented at the 2013 CAR Conference in Louisville, KY.
The contest also helps identify the techniques and resources used to complete each story. Entries are placed in the IRE Resource Center, allowing members to learn from each other.
In an effort to avoid conflicts of interest, work that included any significant role by a member of the IRE Board of Directors or an IRE contest judge may not be entered in the contest. This often represents a significant sacrifice on the part of the individual — and sometimes an entire newsroom. The IRE membership appreciates this devotion to the values of the organization.
FAQ
What is the Philip Meyer Journalism Award?
The Philip Meyer Journalism Award will recognize excellent journalism done using social science research methods.
Who is Philip Meyer?
Meyer is the author of Precision Journalism, the seminal 1973 book (and subsequent editions) that focused growing numbers of journalists on the idea of using social science methods to do better journalism. He pioneered in using survey research as a reporter for Knight Ridder newspapers to explore the causes of race riots in the 1960s, and holds the Knight Chair in Journalism at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
What is meant by “social science research methods”?
These are the research tools used by social scientists across a wide variety of disciplines such as sociology, demographics, geography, political science, ethnography, communication, etc. Such tools might include quantitative and qualitative methods such as surveys using randomly-selected respondents, descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, social network analysis, content analysis, field experiments and more.
Is this “computer-assisted reporting”?
Computers often are used for this kind of work, but that is not a requirement. And CAR often is used for journalism, particularly investigative stories, that don't necessarily use social science methods. Examples of the latter might include using a computer to sort, filter or categorize government records to produce lists or tables for a story.
How is this award different from the IRE Awards?
One of the defining characteristics of good investigative reporting eligible for an IRE Award is that it uncovers information that others have tried to keep hidden. The Meyer Award is designed to recognize work that explores significant societal problems that haven't necessarily occurred because of attempts to keep the problems hidden.
Why is IRE sponsoring this award?
IRE is the home of the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting (NICAR), a joint program of IRE and the Missouri School of Journalism. It is a joint program with the Knight Chair at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Could a Meyer Award entry also be an IRE Award entry?
Yes, if it meets the requirements of both contests.
Who is eligible for the contest?
The Philip Meyer Journalism Award adheres to the principles of the IRE Award program in avoiding conflicts of interest. Work that included any significant role by a member of the IRE Board of Directors or an IRE contest judge may not be entered in the contest. This often represents a significant sacrifice on the part of the individual — and sometimes an entire newsroom. The IRE membership appreciates this devotion to the values of the organization.
Who will judge the contest?
The judges will consist of journalism educators who have significant professional experience doing journalism using social science research methods, and social scientists who have significant experience working with journalists and appreciate the differences between journalism and academic research.
How do I participate?
The postmark deadline for entry in the 2012 awards is Nov. 2, 2012. Download the 2012 entry form.
How much does it cost to enter?
IRE Members:
- $55 (Professional)
- Free (Student)
- Membership must be valid through December 2012.
IRE Nonmembers:
- $125 (Professional. This includes a one-year professional membership fee of $70.)
- $25 (Student. This includes a one-year student membership fee of $25.)
What work is eligible for the contest?
All work must have been published, aired or posted between Oct. 1, 2011, and Sept 30, 2012.
Where do I send my entries?
Return a completed entry form to:
Philip Meyer Award
141 Neff Annex
Missouri School of Journalism
Columbia, MO 65211
What is the deadline for entering the contest?
Nov. 2, 2012. This is a postmark deadline.
What actions would result in a disqualification?
Entries disregarding the rules included in the form will be subject to disqualification. Work that included a significant role by a current member of the IRE Board of Directors or a Meyer Award contest judge may not be entered.
Is there a limit to the amount of entries I can submit?
There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit or the number of stories (in a series) you may submit per entry.
Do you accept entries in languages other than English?
We accept entries in all languages, but require three (3) complete hard copies of English translations for each entry.
What are the different types of awards?
Three Meyer Awards will be given, acknowledging 1st, 2nd and 3rd place from the pool of entries received. The awards include cash prizes: $500 for first, $300 for second, and $200 for third.
How many categories are there and what are they?
Unlike the IRE Awards, this award is not broken down into different media categories.
What must my entry include?
Payment MUST be included with your entry submission; do NOT send under separate cover. Although there are not separate categories for this contest, below is an outline of what must be submitted based on different types of media.
Print/Online Entries:
- One (1) electronic copy of the questionnaire on a CD.
- Three (3) collated entry packets, each containing:
- If story submission is electronically prepared, please include PDFs on the on the CD with the electronic questionnaire
- Please place the three (3) packets in one (1) envelope or folder and write the title of the contest entry on the outside.
• A completed entry form
• A completed questionnaire
• A copy of the story(ies). (Your entries must be prepared to fit either 8.5” x 11” or 11” x 17” paper. DO NOT submit PDF reductions of the original newsprint. Reduction of original typeface is not permitted.
TV/Radio Entries:
- One (1) electronic copy of the questionnaire a CD.
- Three (3) collated entry packets, each containing:
- Please place the three (3) packets in one (1) envelope or folder and write the title of the contest entry on the outside.
• A completed entry form
• A completed questionnaire
• A transcript on 8.5" x 11" paper
• Story(ies) for your entry on DVD or CD. (Please label each disk with the entry name, affiliation and running time.)
Book Entries:
- One (1) electronic copy of the questionnaire on a CD.
- Three (3) collated entry packets, each containing:
- Please place the three (3) packets (entry form & questionnaire) in one (1) envelope or folder and write the title of the book on the outside. The package should also contain the three (3) copies of the book.
• A completed entry form
• A completed questionnaire
• A copy of the book. (Please attach entry name and affiliation to all three (3) books.)
When will the judging be complete?
Judging will be completed by the end of December 2012.
Who should I call if I have any other questions?
Please call the IRE Resource Center at 573-882-6668 or e-mail for assistance in submitting contest entries.