1. Basic Terms Research—the process of finding information relevant to a particular topic Source—any medium that provides information relevant to a particular topic

2. Purpose 1) Enhancing Knowledge Sources provide knowledge beyond your own. 2) Enhancing Credibility (the degree to which you are convincing or believable) Sources provide support or evidence for what you claim

3. Enhancing Knowledge You’ve been asked to submit a report outlining your company’s financial strategy for the coming year. You might know the company’s finances quite well, but do you know the overall economic outlook for the next year? Do you know what your suppliers are likely to charge you for supplies?

4. Enhancing Credibility You are writing a report about the need for more computer labs at IVCC. You submit the report to the IVCC board. Why should they believe you? Are you a computer expert?

5. The Bottom Line— Your report can only be as informative and as convincing as your sources are.

6. Primary Sources Definition: “first-hand” sources; information you gather yourself Examples: interviews, surveys, experiments, observations Advantages: This information is about your topic specifically.

7. Secondary Sources Definition: “second-hand” sources; information that you access that has been gathered by someone else. Examples: books, newspaper articles, magazine articles, websites, studies, product brochures, manuals, etc. Advantages: Someone else has done the work for you; you just have to locate the source.

8. Research Questions What do I need to find out about my topic? What information do I need to convince my reader? Where can I find this information? Which of the sources I find will be the most informative and/or convincing?

9. Evaluating Sources Is the source really relevant? Is it current? Is its author credible? Is it well-researched? Is it unbiased? Is that Internet source really reliable?