Erudite Relics of Loc Huu Ho

Research is classified as primary or secondary:

Primary research involves an original, first-hand study of yoru topic or problem. (eg. observations, interviews, questionnaires, inquiry letters, personal experiments, analysis of samples, fieldwork, or company records.

Secondary research includes materials published by other researchers. (eg. journal articles, books, handbooks, reports, online articles, electronic databases, government documents, internet sites, and material held by public agencies and special interest groups.

Step back, before typing words into a database or search engine or library catalogue. Think carefully about (a) the questions to be answered, (b) the types of sources that will have answers, and (c) where you can find those sources. Then plan a search strategy and write a list of key words. Approach the process methodically and systematically. The ‘natural mistake’ is to accept the first source that pops up…” -Ross Tyner, research librarian

THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT THE RESEARCH PROCESS

ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

• Defining and Refining a Research Question
• Achieving Adequate Depth in Your Search (popular media, trade & business publications, specialized literature)
• Evaluating Your Findings (Does the research answer the question you’ve posed on behalf of your reader? Are the data consistent? Reliable? Verifiable? Do you need more information?)

If I have to do research, I look everywhere–books, online, databases, newsgroups, library, periodicals, etc. And I have to say–if you ever get stuck for information, do check out a newsgroup or mailing list about the subject. Everyone interested in the subject will be there and someone will be able to get you started…” -Lorraine Patsco, director of prepress source and multimedia production

EXPLORING SECONDARY SOURCES

• Hard Copy versus Electronic Sources
• Types of Hard Copy Sources (Many hard copy sources are now published electronically)
• The Card Catalogue (Descriptor, Document type, Organizations & conferences, Publisher, Combination)
• Access Tools for Government Publications (eg. http://canada.gc.ca; then choose “Departments and Agencies” from the side menu. Or check out www.inspection.gc.ca)
• Internet Sources (eg. Newsgroups, Listservs – Email, Online databases, Videologs, Blogs, Intranets & extranets, podcasts, etc…)

GUIDELINES FOR INTERNET RESEARCH

1. Try to focus your search beforehand.
2. Select keywords or search phrases that are varied and technical, rather than general.
3. Look for websites that are specific.
4. Set a time limit for searching.
5. Expect limited results from any search.
6. Use bookmarks and hot lists for quick access to favorite websites.
7. Expect material on the internet to have a brief life span.
8. Be selective about what you download.
9. Never download copyrighted material without written authorization from the copyright holder.

• Checklist of Internet Research Tips
• Preparing a Search Strategy
• Government Information & Statistics

EXPLORING PRIMARY SOURCES

• The Informative Interview (aka personal interview with an expert, beware of bias opinions)
• Surveys (helps us make assessments about a target population by studying representatives of a sample group) and Questionnaires (tool for conducting surveys)
• Inquiries (ie. letters, phone calls, or email)
• Office Files (eg. organization records, company literature, etc)
• Personal Observation and Experiments
• Analysis of Samples

Tags: Gathering Information, Internet Research, Primary research, Research Process, Secondary research, Technical Communication