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Influenced by behavioral research on compassion fatigue, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof goes out of his way to find just the right person who illuminates the larger story. Rather than focus on suffering or grim statistics, Kristof seeks to move readers by reporting on people who overcome adversity and offer real solutions. Content analysis and Internet metrics are used to assess whether this kind of reporting engenders reader response. Contrary to expectations, the story-telling techniques had little apparent effect on readers' online response while story topic and geographic proximity influenced frequency of reader comments, Facebook Likes, and digital sharing.

Testing of mathematical skills at a metropolitan newspaper provides a baseline assessment of numeracy in the newsroom. Drawing on social cognitive theory, the study also examines the interplay of mathematical competence and confidence of journalists. The results challenge the view that most journalists cannot handle elementary mathematics. Nonetheless, about one in six of news-editorial staff failed to answer the majority of math questions posed. Testing reveals high math anxiety even among strong math performers. The study also documents a gender gap in mathematics skills and confidence.