What exactly is investigative journalism? Although definitions vary, professional journalists are in broad agreement about investigative reporting’s main features, from systematic research to the use of public records and data. They point to a set of methods and techniques that can take years to master.

To start this series about tips and tools for investigations, David Kaplan, executive director of the Global Investigative Journalism Network, explains how investigative reporters define their craft.

Read more on the GIJN resource page, Investigative Journalism: Defining the Craft: gijn.org/resources/investigative-journalism-defini… .

In Spanish: gijn.org/2015/11/25/que-es-el-periodismo-de-invest…

For background on David Kaplan, see GIJN's staff page: gijn.org/about/staff.

Global Investigative Journalism Network: gijn.org/

GIJN Help Desk: helpdesk.gijn.org/support/home