1. Exploring Primary Sources
Chapter 9
Exploring Primary Sources
Technical Communication, 11th Edition
John M. Lannon

2. Sources for Primary Research
Informative interviews
Surveys and questionnaires
Inquiry letters, Phone Calls, and s
Observation and Experiment
Public records and Organizational Publications

3. Informative Interviews
Phone interviews
In-person interviews
Fax interviews
interviews

4. Stages of an Interview Plan the interview Prepare the interview
Conduct the interview
Conclude the interview

5. Planning the Interview
Focus on your purpose
Anticipate ahead of time what you hope to learn from the interview
Do your homework
Learn everything you can about the topic beforehand
Contact the intended respondent
Be sure to introduce yourself and your purpose clearly
Request the interview at the respondent’s convenience

6. Preparing Interview Questions
Make each question clear and specific
E.g. vague question
How is this utility company dealing with the problem of electromagnetic fields?
E.g. specific question
What specific procedures have you developed for risk avoidance by electrical crew workers?
Avoid questions that can be answered with “yes” or “no.” Instead phrase your questions to elicit a detailed response (use “wh-questions words like who, what, when, where, why, which, how.)

7. Preparing Interview Questions
Avoid loaded questions (because they promote bias)
E.g. Wouldn’t you agree that EMF hazards have been overstated?
Save the most difficult, complex, sensitive questions for last
Write out each question on a separate blank page
Use a three-ring binder and flip through the pages recording answers to each question

8. Conducting the Interview
Make a good start
Be sensitive to cultural differences
Let the respondent do most of the talking
Be a good listener
Stick to your interview plan
Ask for clarification and explanation
Keep checking your understanding
Be ready with follow-up questions
Keep note-taking to a minimum

9. Concluding the Interview
Ask for closing comments
Would you care to add anything?
Is there anyone else I should talk to?
Is there anyone who has a different point of view?
Are there any other sources you are aware of that might help me better understand this issue?
Request permission to follow up
Invite the respondent to review your version
Thank your respondent and leave promptly
As soon as you leave the interview, write a complete summary

10. Surveys and Questionnaires
A Survey helps you to form impressions of the concerns, preferences, attitudes, beliefs, needs, or perceptions of a large, identifiable group by studying representatives of that group.
A questionnaire is the tool of a survey.

11. Stages of a Survey Define the purpose and the target population
Identify the sample group
Define the survey method
Analyze samples

12. Guidelines for Developing a Questionnaire
Decide on the type of questions
Open-ended or closed-ended (What type of data do you need for your analysis?)
Design an engaging introduction and opening questions
Make each question unambiguous
Make each question unbiased
Make it brief, simple, and inviting
See example Lannon page 161

13. Survey Question Revision Exercise
Revise these questions to make them more suitable for a questionnaire:
Would a female president do the job as well as a male president?
Don’t you think that euthanasia is a crime?
Do you oppose increased government spending?
Are teachers responsible for the decline in literacy among students?
Do you prefer Rocket Cola to other leading brands?

14. Public Records and Organizational Publications
Public Records hold valuable data regarding anything with which the government has an interest.
Tax records, Legal records, Environmental records, Safety records, the list goes on and on
Organizational Publications
Reports, Memos, Web pages, Brochures, Annual reports
Be alert for potential bias

15. Personal Observation and Experiments
Always the Final Step - Make sure you have a plan and take detailed notes immediately
Personal observation is not foolproof. You may have biases that influence your observation.