GATHERING INFORMATION

Reader Centered ResearchResearch Methods

TODAY’S AGENDA

Define parameters and objectives Identify the sources necessaryBreak information into subgroupsCreate a research planEvaluateTake notes Intellectual Property Law and Documentation

CONDUCTING RESEARCH

Identify the questions you’ll need to researchExplore the answers that will sway readersBrainstorming

PARAMETERS

Knowing the questions that need to be answered, identify the sources themselves.

Four types of sources People affected People involved Groups or people doing similar work Professional publications

As wide as possible

IDENTIFY

Categories of informationBase upon your solutionsDetermined by needs of your readers

SUBGROUPS

Start with general sourcesDetermine which sources your readers trustMake a scheduleStart with preliminary researchStudy research methods

RESEARCH PLAN

For the next 15 minutes, develop a research plan for a topic of your choosing.

If you have trouble picking a topic, go back to the topics that you chose on Tuesday.

WRITING ASSIGNMENT

Determine if the materials are credible Is it relevant to your readers? Is the material unbiased? Is it current?

EVALUATE

Most likely longer than the source materialNote on impressions as well as the materialKeep citations while writing notesBe especially careful with conducting interviews

NOTES

Watch your citationsBe certain you have permission to use the materialFair Use

Purpose of Use Proportion of Work Used Publication Status Economic Impact

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Ask permission in most cases except: What you own What your organization owns Public domain

COPYRIGHT

RESEARCH METHODS

BrainstormingFreewritingWord WebTables, Graphs, Charts

MEMORY

An Example Word Web

Starting sourceReliable organizationsLinksUse personal accounts for personal storiesSearch EnginesWikipedia

INTERNET

Though there are others…

Ask a Librarian Indices Reference WorksGovernment Documents

LIBRARY

Libraries in the area

Be sure of the person being interviewedEstablish a rapportExplain your goalAsk open ended questionsBe patient with the intervieweeControl the conversationTake notes. Tons of them.Double-check your notes

INTERVIEWING

Groups of peopleConsider what you’re asking about Identify the range of material your readers will want

to know aboutUse your subgroups to determine the questions to ask

SURVEYS

Create five survey questions (total) about some of the following subjects: Favorite kind of pie Favorite sport/past time Childhood Favorite thing (period) Ultimate goal in life

Survey at least five members of the class. Write two paragraphs about the responses you

received and turn them in to me.

GROUP ACTIVITY