A THINK TANK RACKET ON EDU RESEARCH?

Although universities produce 14 to 16 times more educational research in a year than advocacy-oriented think tanks, a new study of the media outlets that most influence education news coverage -- the New York Times, Washington Post, and Eduction Week -- finds that think tank reports are more likely to be cited by reporters. What's more, think tank reports perceived as "centrist" or "right" garner more media coverage than those perceived as "left." According to the study's author, Holly Yettick of UC-Boulder, this disproportionate focus on think tank research is harmful to the public's understanding of educational issues, since reporters rarely discuss whether or not research has been peer-reviewed or has an ideological bias. "Most research reports will not lose news value during the time taken to verify their soundness. A good method of conducting such verification is to consult with a trustworthy person with expertise in research design and statistics," Yettick tells journalists, underestimating the time-demands of Internet-driven media. She also suggests that journalists link to the full research reports they cover, so that curious readers can judge for themselves. This is good advice, and it's certainly true that education writers -- like myself -- know far more think tank edu-wonks than education academics. Here in Washington, especially, education reporters and think tank folks are likely to travel in the same circles. But I think Yettick shouldn't be too tough on journalists, because there are other, very good reasons why think tank work gets disproportionate media attention compared to academic work. For one thing, advocacy groups understand that if their research isn't relevant to a current public policy debate, it won't get any "pick-up." Think tanks make sure not just to illuminate a problem, but to suggest public policy solutions, and often with an eye toward political viability. Far too often, academics give short shrift to solutions or suggest solutions that are completely at odds with political realities. What's more, the tenure-granting system encourages professors to tackle ever-more obscure research interests, and to focus on the academic world at the expense of making a public impact. So while journalists certainly have the responsibility to check-out the research they cite and fully disclose biases, academia really ought to put some muscle behind public relations and policy relevance. Hat tip: USA Today education reporter Greg Toppo. --Dana Goldstein