And it used it to examine, over several days of news coverage, whether Geordies would be "better off Scots"?

BBC: Scottish independence: Braveheart or iPad?

People in Newcastle may call themselves Geordies, but just 12 miles away in Sunderland they reject the term they are Wearsiders.

ECONOMIST: The North-East

When Geordies have complained about Scotland doing better out of public spending, the bit that gets left out is how much more resource is poured into London.

BBC: Mind the gap on the Northern Line

Whereas in the 1970s many in the North-East greeted the prospect of a Scottish Parliament with alarm and helped to block it, now many Geordies regard the shift of power to Scotland as something of an inspiration.

ECONOMIST: The North-East

The Geordies unite around football.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot