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How Information Is Created: Information Timeline

Within Minutes

Social Media

"Breaks" the story.  Information may be incomplete, false, or biased.

Examples:

FacebookTwitter InstagramYouTubeBlogger


Within a Month

Monthly Magazines

Additional time allows for better reporting.  May include opinions.

Examples:

Wired MagazineScientific AmericanNational GeographicConsumer ReportsInc.

Within Days

News Sites, TV, Radio & Daily Newspapers

As time passes, information gets added, updated, and verified.  Opinions emerge.

Examples:

CNNFox NewsBBC RadioNational Public RadioThe New York Times


3+ Months Later

Scholarly Journals

Written by experts.  Well-researched and objective.


Examples:

The Journal of American CultureNatureJAMA:  Journal of the American Medical AssociationAdvanced RoboticsAmerican Forests

Within a Week

Weekly Magazines

Offers more insight.  Likely to include context information, interviews, related topics.

Examples:

NewsweekPeople MagazineThe New YorkerTime MagazineThe Advocate

12+ Months Later

Books

Benefit most from hindsight.  Give most in-depth coverage of a topic.

Examples:

Diversity Beyond Lip Service:  A Coaching Guide for Challenging BiasImagining the Modern:  Architecture and Urbanism of the Pittsburgh RenaissanceRocket MenThe Impeachers:  The Trial of Andrew Johnson and the Dream of a Just NationThe Washington War:  FDR's Inner Circle and the Politics of Power That Won World War II