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Journal Article 1: McCluskey, M. (2008). Reporter beat and content differences in environmental stories. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 85, 83–98. Article first published online: March 1, 2008; Issue published: March 1, 2008

Abstract: The literature suggests that story content varies by reporter beat, but little confirming evidence exists. Environmental news, which cuts across beats, was analyzed for differences in story content and context. Analysis of 498 newspaper articles and survey responses from thirty-seven environmental groups shows environmental writers were more positive in stories about environmental groups than business, political, and general reporters. Stories' level of context about environmental group resources and goals varied among reporter types.

Journal Article 2: Lacy, S., Coulson, D. C., St. Cyr, C. (1999). The impact of beat competition on city hall coverage. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 76, 325–340. Issue published: June 1, 1999.

Abstract: The study used a survey of newspaper city hall beat reporters to explore the impact of newspaper and television news competition on their coverage of city hall. Newspaper competition was much more likely to affect content than TV news competition, but TV can have an impact on some reporters, especially in the absence of newspaper competition. Competition was related to reporters having less time for in-depth stories, reporting unimportant stories and, to a lesser degree, an increase in sensationalism in city hall news. Competition also was related to increases in the number of stories and an increased likelihood that reporters would cover stories they might have missed without competition. Perhaps the most interesting results were the strong relationship between competition and reporter-editor interaction and the impact of this interaction on reporters' perceptions of content changes.

Journal Article 3: Schulz, P. J., Hartung, U., & Fiordelli, M. (2012). Do journalists’ opinions affect news selection in a low-key conflict? Newspaper coverage of the discussion of smoking bans in Switzerland. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 89, 414–430. Article first published online May 22, 2012; Issue published: September 1, 2012.

Abstract: This quantitative content analysis applies the theory of instrumental actualization to Swiss newspaper coverage of smoking bans in public places. The theory holds that journalists’ opinions affect news selection; it is studied here for the weighting and evaluation of arguments in news stories. The editorial stance of newspapers was related to the weighting of argumentative fields and the frequency of contradiction of different standpoints. Therefore, elements of both a dialectical (papers of different stance explicitly contradicting one another) and a rhetorical (papers of different stance speaking of different matters) model of discourse were found.