Computer Joins the Typewriter Among News Reporter's Tools; Search for Credibility A Philadelphia Case Views of City Residents Jumping to Conclusions
Date: 01 September 1974
By ROBERT REINHOLDSpecial to The New York Times
Many newspapers throughout US are relying on computer journalism to make their news surveys and predictions more accurate; Philip Meyer, natl correspondent of Knight newspapers, is leading proponent of new trend to adopt scientific techniques of polling and data analysis; 22 reporters and editors during wk of Aug 26 completed 3-wk crash course in statistics and experimental method at Northwestern Univ, where theyr formed 1st orgn of 'precision journalists'; reporters Jay Harris (Wilmington News-Journal) and Howard Covington (Charlotte Observer) have taken leaves to study survey methods at major univs; NY Times and Washington Post, early in '74, carried series based on surveys; Time (Pub) has begun carrying qrly feature designed to monitor statistically changing natl mood on various factors; Harvey Kabaker (Washington Star-News), Seymour Topping (Times) and John G Craig Jr (Wilmington News-Journal) comment (M)