enquiry skills investigating methods o oo of enquiry
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Enquiry Skills Enquiry Skills
InvestigatingInvestigating
MethodsMethods ofof EnquiryEnquiry
Method 1: Using a CD-RomMethod 1: Using a CD-Rom
• A CD-Rom is sometimes called an encyclopaedia on CD.
• They include newspapers, Scotsman and Herald.
• CD-Roms provide vast amounts of relevant, topical information on almost every subject.
CD-Rom AdvantagesCD-Rom Advantages
Easy to useie "search options"
Variety of formatse.g multimedia
Huge amount ofinformation on onedisk e.g. one years
Scotsman newspaper
Advantages
CD-Rom DisadvantagesCD-Rom Disadvantages
Cannot beupdated unlessyou subscribe
to a newspaper.
Need access toa computer.
Many designedfor American
market.
They do not workon every type of
computer -compatibilty.
Disadvantages
Method 2: DatabaseMethod 2: Database
• A collection of information about a particular topic e.g. Census, Govt report.
• A system for filing information on a computer.
• Contains a data file, records and fields of information.
Database AdvantagesDatabase Advantages
Can be searchedquickly and accurately
to find "matchinginformation".
Can be easilyupdated.
Huge amountsof information
available.
Advantages
Database DisadvantagesDatabase Disadvantages
Can be timeconsuming.
Need accessto a computer.
Technical failurescan lose information.
Disadvantages
Databases haveto be updated.
Search hasto be precise.
Method 3: InternetMethod 3: Internet• Requires a computer and modem.• Provide access to the World Wide
Web and Email.• Uses a search enquire e.g.
Google, Yahoo to find information.
• An On-line encyclopaedia of virtually unlimited information.
• Means of communicating with people world wide at low cost and high speed.
Internet AdvantagesInternet Advantages
Access to informationon all subjects e.g.elderly, employed.
Sound, picturetext,can bedownloaded.
Fairly cheap - sameas local call.
Can be reached withsearch engine.
Advantages
Internet DisadvantagesInternet Disadvantages
Need access toto a computer.
Contains unsuitablematerial for
young children.
Informationcan be biased.
People can be addicted -
enormousphone bill!
Disadvanages Information can bedifficult to find -
"Searching"
Method 4: InterviewMethod 4: Interview• A conversation between 2
people, either structured or informal.
• Effective way of getting information from an “expert” e.g. Social Worker.
• Questions can be prepared in advance.
• Answers can be recorded.
Interview AdvantagesInterview Advantages
Intervieweeusually an "expert"
in his/her field.
You get directanswers.
Detailedinformation
can be obtained.
You can goover taped
answers later.
Advantages
Interview DisadvantagesInterview Disadvantages
Interviews canbe stressfullso you mustbe prepared.
Interviewee mustbe relaxed too.
Questions mustbe prepared.
Preparation,interview and
recording answerscan be time consuming.
Disadvantages
Method 5: Writing a LetterMethod 5: Writing a Letter
• Written for a specific purpose.• To get information or arrange
a meeting.• Good letters are specific not
general - structured letters.• E.g. Elderly - Social Work
Dept, Employed - Job Centre.
Letter Writing AdvantagesLetter Writing Advantages
Easy to write. Can be doneat school.
Usually get awritten reply.
School headednotepaper
individual formalmethod.
Advantages
Letter Writing Letter Writing DisadvantagesDisadvantages
No guarantee of reply. May not be whatyou're hoping fore.g. irrelevant,complicated.
Takes time tosend and return.
Disadvantages
Method 6: LibraryMethod 6: Library
• Holds information on many formats e.g. video, audio, CD-Rom, Internet, newspaper, magazine, book.
• Found in school, college and local community.
Library AdvantagesLibrary Advantages
Trained staffavailable to help
you find information.
You can ordermaterial from the
library.
Advantages
Library DisadvantagesLibrary Disadvantages
Library rules tobe observed
e.g. noise.
School and locallibraries may have
limited stock.
Remote areasmay have no
library.
Disadvantages Material can onlybe borrowedshort term.
Method 7: SurveyMethod 7: Survey• Set of questions to discover
public opinion e.g. best type of elderly housing.
• Must be a sample with a good cross section of the community e.g. male, female, age.
• May contain open or closed questions.
• 4 stages - write questions, identify sample, record answers and result.
Survey AdvantagesSurvey Advantages
Easy way to getpublic opinion.
Information canbe put into
graph and table.
Advantages
Survey DisadvantagesSurvey Disadvantages
Difficult to get allthe surveysreturned.
Answers may nottruly reflect public
opinion.
Sample sizemust be
meaningful.
Not everyonewill return it.
Disadvantages Some peoplemay not takeit seriously.
Method 8: QuestionnaireMethod 8: Questionnaire
• Questions you make up to ask somebody who knows about your investigation.
Questionnaire AdvantagesQuestionnaire Advantages
Direct answers. Those askedare usually"experts."
Detailedinformation
can be obtained.
Advantages
Questionnaire Questionnaire DisadvantagesDisadvantages
Questions mustbe prepared.
Sample slipmust be
meaningful.
Not everyonewill return it.
Analysiscomplicated.
Disadvantages Preparations,questionnaire andrecording answers
can be time consuming.
Method 9: Using TV & Method 9: Using TV & Video ProgrammesVideo Programmes
• Some programmes are suited to Modern Studies as sources of information e.g.
News Newsnight Question Time
TV & Video Programmes TV & Video Programmes AdvantagesAdvantages
Excellent sourceof up to date
information forModern Studies.
Using a videoallows you tomake notes.
Gives you accessto people, places and
images you wouldnot otherwise see.
"Freeze" picturesfrom video
to PC and use.
Advantages
TV & Video Programmes TV & Video Programmes DisadvantagesDisadvantages
Making notesis time consuming.
Close attention toTV schedule
is needed to "spot"relevant programmes.
Difficult to get accessto TV and videowhen required.
Disadvantages
Method 10: Observations Method 10: Observations on a visiton a visit
• A visit to a particular place e.g. a factory, office, shopping complex, sheltered housing, job centre, MPs surgery.
Observation AdvantagesObservation Advantages
Allows you tosee the placeat firsthand.
Can writeup a detailed
relevant noteson return.
Photographscan be taken.
Advantages
Observation Observation DisadvantagesDisadvantages
Arrangementscan be time consuming.
Expanding notescan take time.
Reluctance by someplaces to grant
visits e.g.shopping complex.
Disadvantages
The EndThe End