@bizjournalism
Two Minute Tips
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
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.
3 / 10
Which of the following has free resources for journalists that want to learn new software?
Answer can be found on page 101.
Correct!
4 / 10
Which of the following is a publicly traded company’s annual report?
Answer can be found on page 95.
5 / 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.
6 / 10
True or false: The desire to paint things as much as possible in terms of good versus bad, rather than highlighting the moral complexities that often exist, is a mistake in investigative reporting.
Reality rarely comes in just black and white. A reporter should always seek out information that could challenge or modify the story’s basic theme. Read more on page 102.
Correct! Reality rarely comes in just black and white. A reporter should always seek out information that could challenge or modify the story’s basic theme.
7 / 10
What might the “related-party transactions” section in SEC filings tell you?
Answer can found on page 95.
Correct! In this section, the company must report any outside business/financial dealings it has had with a company executive or director – i.e. transactions that could represent a conflict of interest.
8 / 10
Tableau Public is an example of ____________________.
Correct! Some commercial software companies provide robust free versions of programs, such as Tableau Public, a powerful and intuitive data visualization tool.
9 / 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.
10 / 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.
Your score is
The average score is 83%
Restart quiz
Get Two Minute Tips For Business Journalism Delivered To Your Email Every Tuesday
Every Tuesday we send out a quick-read email with tips for business journalism. Sign up now and get one Tuesday.
