Chapter 6 Researching and Evaluating Source Materials

Writers Solve Problems By distinguishing among different kinds of research By knowing which sources are relevant to the problem By knowing where to find those sources By knowing how to collect and assess sources By knowing how to incorporate sources into workplace documents

Research and the PSA The problem-solving approach is not a linear process. Each rhetorical situation requires writers to determine the order of steps that best suits their needs and the needs of their audience.

Answering Questions for Specific Audiences Most writing begins with questions, not answers. Encountering a question that needs answering helps the researcher define a clear purpose. The specific audience shapes how that research is presented and discussed. Audience interests and goals influence the format, organization, and sorts of materials consulted.

Primary Sources Are original materials on which other documents are based Are the first formal appearance of results in print or electronic documents Present information in original form, not evaluated, summarized, or interpreted Present original thinking, report discoveries, and share new ideas

Secondary Sources Describe, interpret, analyze, and evaluate primary sources Comment on and discuss the evidence and ideas discussed in primary sources Are usually created after the event or information to which they refer Often rely upon primary sources, combining them with other sources or applying them to new situations

Finding and Evaluating Sources The real trick for writers and researchers is not finding sources but evaluating them for trustworthiness and accuracy. There is a connection between where you find things and the likelihood of their being reliable.

The World Wide Web Advantages Disadvantages Easy to use and access Information can be downloaded, stored, and moved around Offers general information on a wide variety of topics Disadvantages Information often unreviewed and unreliable Search engines can lead to irrelevant results Good information comes with a price

Blogs & Wikis Blogs often provide up-to-date information and are easy to find, while wikis represent the contributions of numerous participants, and are sometimes moderated. Avoid basing important decisions on information gathered through either blogs or wikis, since their accuracy is often in question.

Databases Databases consist of indexes or catalogs that contain information about books, journals, newspapers, and government documents. Many are geared towards specific subject areas. While many are accessed online, databases provide credible, reviewed, and specialized information that websites often do not.

Databases Advantages Disadvantages Trustworthiness Currency and relevance Amount of information Disadvantages Price of access Full-text inconsistencies Longer learning curve

Intranets and Archives Are private, internal networks Are accessible to certain people Contain sensitive information Contain documents for company use Provide insight into past decisions and policies

Intranets and Archives Advantages Private or exclusive information Ease of use Disadvantages Restricted access Difficulties in searching Incomplete records

Researching Visuals Visual sources can add credibility and professionalism to your ideas. Determine what you need before beginning a search Type of visual (graph, illustration, photograph) What you want to accomplish Visual style

Sources for Visuals Licensed databases Free web resources Commercial databases

Methods for Primary Research Observations Inspections Experiments Interviews Surveys Focus groups

Conducting Primary Research Observation has a researcher observe a situation, location, or process to understand and evaluate it. Inspection is more active, requiring the researcher to directly interact with the environment. Both deal with real people and real places. Both can lead to other forms of primary research.

Guidelines for Observations & Inspections Conduct background research that allows you to better understand the situation in advance Observe what is typical or normal to establish a base line Observe what is atypical or unusual to test limits and shortcomings Confirm availability Take careful notes Be prepared with equipment or help from others

Experimental Procedure Determine what you want to know and devise a plan Conduct your experiment according to the plan, gathering information without any expectation Analyze the information Discuss or report the information

Interviews Interviews are a typical means for workplace writers to acquire detailed information helpful to their projects. Interviewers should: Consult those with knowledge or expertise Consider who, what, where, when, and how Conduct initial research about the interviewee, and focus on short, direct questions

Surveys Allow individuals to answer a series of questions about a particular subject or issue Offer quantitative, rather than qualitative, information Usually target people that can provide a particular kind of information Can sometimes replace an interview, and be implemented on a larger scale

Focus Groups Are group interviews, usually conducted with six to fifteen participants Are designed to generate conversation within the group to gain a sense of participant response Provide qualitative research Are a useful tool for evaluating services, testing new ideas, and getting consumer feedback

Preparing for a Focus Group Know exactly what you want to accomplish Develop a series of questions Select participants carefully Have a detailed plan, including ground rules and a specific agenda Send a follow-up letter to participants Plan how you will record the session

Facilitating a Focus Group Introduce facilitators Explain the purpose of the session Explain how the session will be recorded Stick to the agenda Give participants equal consideration and time Review answers for accuracy Thank participants for their time and effort Follow up

Note Taking There is no one right way that researchers in the workplace take notes. Most people develop their own means though experience, a means that best suits their own writing habits. Experienced researchers recognize that they are also beginning to draft as they take notes.

Strategies for Note Taking Save everything that might be relevant Read the sources carefully Forget the highlighter; write your own notes Compose a research narrative Use a double-entry journal Keep a problem-solution log

Documenting Sources Documenting sources properly shows that you have used them in an ethical manner. Give credit to others for their ideas, and you make clear to your readers how you have used sources in your document. Be aware of the systems of documentation and formatting used in your field.

Plagiarism Plagiarism is defined simply as the act of passing off as one’s own the ideas or writings of someone else. Writers are guilty of plagiarism when they submit documents that borrow ideas, structure, organization, or wording from other sources without properly documenting it.

Ethical Use of Sources Quoting Paraphrasing Summarizing Use only brief quotes Make sure each quote fills a hole in your writing Paraphrasing Capture author's intent and information in your own words Understand the original thoroughly so that you can reproduce the idea fully Summarizing Abbreviate information without compromising its meaning Cover all points made in the original

Ethics in Primary Research Keep the identities of subjects private, unless given written authorization Develop unbiased questions Report results fully and fairly