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Chapter 9: Investigative Quiz
Test your knowledge of the investigative chapter material!
1 / 10
True or false: The EDGAR database of corporate filings kept by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) can teach you more about private companies.
Only publicly traded companies file with the SEC. Read more on page 95.
Correct! Only publicly traded companies file with the SEC. If you are covering a business beat with publicly traded companies, the EDGAR database should be a regular stop for you.
2 / 10
Which of the following is a publicly traded company’s quarterly report?
Answer can be found on page 95.
Correct!
3 / 10
On which organization’s website can you find the EDGAR database?
Answer can be found on page 99.
Correct! In addition to containing the EDGAR database, the main webpage for the SEC contains lots of information on securities, laws, and regulations as well as enforcement cases brought by the agency.
4 / 10
What are related party transactions?
Answer can be found on page 103.
Correct! These dealings can be a source of conflict-of-interest problems.
5 / 10
Which of the following has free resources for journalists that want to learn new software?
Answer can be found on page 101.
6 / 10
On which website can you find information from the Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government?
Answer can be found on page 98.
Correct! This is the website of the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts, which provides information from and about the Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government. This site includes lots of information on caseloads in federal courts around the country.
7 / 10
Contacting a subject for their side of the story early on serves which purpose?
Answer can be found on page 102.
Correct! Whatever path you take on reporting the story, it’s vital to keep testing your main premises early and often.
8 / 10
What does PACER stand for?
Correct! The PACER website, provided by the federal judiciary, costs money, but it’s an excellent resource for looking into federal court cases.
9 / 10
Which of the following is a publicly traded company’s annual report?
10 / 10
When localizing an investigative story, you should:
Answer can be found on page 97.
Correct! Localizing an investigative business story – assuming it isn’t a piece that starts and ends in your backyard – often involves picking some broader national or even international subject and then finding a hook close to home.
Your score is
The average score is 76%
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