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This chapter provides an expansive overview of effective research planning and methodologies. It covers how to plan and conduct research, focusing on both primary and secondary sources. Learn to determine your research purpose, evaluate information credibility, and select suitable tools for both primary and secondary research. Key resources and methods are examined, including print media, online databases, surveys, and more. This guide is essential for professionals looking to enhance their research skills in business settings, ensuring informed decision-making and strategic planning.
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Researching Information C H A P T E R 5
Presentation Overview • How Do You Plan Your Research? • How Do You Conduct Research? • What Secondary Sources Are Available? • What Tools Can Be Used to Find Secondary Sources? • What Are the Most Common Tools for Primary Research? • How Do You Evaluate Information?
How Do You Plan Your Research? • Determine your purpose, analyze your readers, and consider your schedule and budget. • Determine what type of information you need. • Select the appropriate research method(s). • What types of tools can you use? • What research media (a.k.a. secondary sources) can you use? • What primary research methods can you use?
How Do You Conduct Research? Primary research (sometimes called original or firsthand research) is gathering information for the first time—not relying on research previously conducted by others. Secondary research involves gathering information from previously documented research or studies.
What Secondary Sources Are Available? • Print media: books, journals, newsletters, trade magazines, reports, product materials, and other forms • Online databases • Web sites • Online discussion groups: Usenet newsgroups and electronic mailing lists • Personal publications: blogs, podcasts, wikis
What Tools Can Be Used to Find Secondary Sources? • Interlibrary loan • Online document delivery • Online catalogs • Indexes • Periodicals • Newspaper • Government document • Reference works • Abstract services
What Are the Most Common Tools for Primary Research? • Interviews, formal and informal • Inquiry letters and e-mails • Surveys and questionnaires • Observations and experiments
How Do You Conduct Research? Scenario: You work as an accountant for the That’s Amore Pizzeria franchise headquarters. The accounting software the company has been using is outdated, and your supervisor asks that you research all of the software options available and recommend one. What methods, sources, and tools might you use?
How Do You Conduct Research? Scenario: You make a radical career move and are now working in the sales and marketing department at franchise headquarters for That’s Amore Pizzeria. Management wants to know why sales are down by 20% this year. What methods, sources, and tools might you use?
How Do You Conduct Research? Scenario: Through your research, you determine that the food at many of the franchises is not up to the standards set by the company. Management wants to find a better way to enforce these standards. In your new role as the assistant to the vice president, you are assigned to benchmark best practices used by other restaurant franchises to ensure quality. What methods, sources, and tools might you use?
How Do You Evaluate Information? Ask: • Is the information credible and unbiased? • Is the information up-to-date? • Is the information complete? • Is the information accurate?
How Do You Evaluate Information? Remember: • The Internet may not contain all the information available about your topic. • No search engine indexes all information on the Internet. • Some online sources are not up-to-date. • Some search engines and subject directories typically index sites that have many links to them.