Story-Based Inquiry

This four-part course gives you the foundations for starting, deepening, organizing and writing a investigative report or article.

It covers the Story-Based Inquiry (SBI) method, which has been successfully used by thousands of journalists, academics and NGO researchers since its publication by UNESCO in 2009. The core insight of SBI is that investigating and writing can form one coherent process. The investigator starts with a hypothesis that is verifiable. From this follows an outline for the story and a map for locating sources. The final product is a database recording the quest and the material found. The theory of the method is also described in several textbooks, so we have time during the course to address the work and practice of the participants.

“I’m a big fan of […] Story-Based Inquiry. It’s become, practically speaking, the Bible for investigative reporting, and an invaluable resource for editors and reporters alike.” (Diana Jean Schemo, Executive Editor of 100Reporters)

Background

Story-Based Inquiry offers a investigation method based on doctoral-level research, a cumulative century of journalistic experience and field testing with tens of thousands of students and professionals worldwide.

Since its publication by UNESCO in 2009, SBI has been applied by investigative journalists and editors, feature film authors, documentary makers, NGO research units, academics and companies. The language and approach have been integrated into leading journalism organisations and NGOs around the world. The manual exists in 14 major and minor languages and has been called a ‘benchmark’ for education in the profession.

Mark Lee Hunter and Luuk Sengers have continuously enriched the method and refined their training at conferences and at leading academic institutions on five continents. They have influenced the careers of journalists (from beginners to best-selling authors), activists and scientists, as the testimonials below show.

“I started off as a deep sceptic and I am now a profound convert. In one hour you guys changed my life” (Katherine Eban, best-selling author of Bottle of lies. The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom)

^{Keep it simple and smart}

The SBI method consists of 5 steps: The first three steps lead to a research plan, which answers the questions: What do you expect to reveal? What do you need to demonstrate in order to do so? And: What sources can you use for this? The techniques we apply are a hypothesis, a timeline and a source map. According to this plan, we then start collecting facts. This gradually creates a structured database, which we call a ‘master file’ . In the final step, we transform the masterfile into a clear and catchy story.

‍‍
^{1. Start with a hypothesis}
Every investigation starts with a question. A hypothesis is a preliminary answer to that question. By imagining your story beforehand, you increase your chances of success. We teach you how to formulate a hypothesis in such a way as to open up a path into your research. A hypothesis also helps you assess the importance and viability ofyour idea before investing in further research. We are proud that our colleagues at ICIJ describe hypothesis as a ‘core skill’ in contemporary research projects.

‍
^{2. Capture the timeline}
Timelines are the royal road to a story. We show how to capture events along a timeline, and how to infer and verify other events that affect the story.

‍
^{3. Map the stakeholders}
A resource map shows who is involved in your story - as initiators, witnesses, profiteers and victims. The map shows the relationships between all stakeholders and also indicates the target audience for your story, which is essential to increase impact.

‍
^{4. Master the material}
Our research into professional practice shows that organisation is the key to successful projects. Our specially developed tool is called the ‘master file’. In it, sources and insights are collected and organised. The masterfile is also a management tool that provides insight into the status of the investigation and facilitates cooperation between team members.

‍
^{5. Let the story tell the facts}
We have never met a researcher who could not find interesting material, but we have met many who stumbled in producing the story. We learn how to use narrative structures and literary or cinematic storytelling techniques. We integrate ethical and emotional aspects of writing, including quality control and impact plans.

“The method is brilliantly intelligent and useably simple. It has completely revolutionised the way I work” (Brendan Montague, Request Initiative)

“This was the most useful course I have ever attended. Clear, hands-on, and superbly delivered.” (Feedback CIJ Webinar 2021)

‍