Exploring Primary Sources Chapter 9 Exploring Primary Sources Technical Communication, 11th Edition John M. Lannon

Sources for Primary Research Informative interviews Surveys and questionnaires Inquiry letters, Phone Calls, and Emails Observation and Experiment Public records and Organizational Publications

Informative Interviews Phone interviews In-person interviews Fax interviews Email interviews

Stages of an Interview Plan the interview Prepare the interview Conduct the interview Conclude the interview

Planning the Interview Focus on your purpose Anticipate ahead of time what you hope to learn from the interview Do your homework Learn everything you can about the topic beforehand Contact the intended respondent Be sure to introduce yourself and your purpose clearly Request the interview at the respondent’s convenience

Preparing Interview Questions Make each question clear and specific E.g. vague question How is this utility company dealing with the problem of electromagnetic fields? E.g. specific question What specific procedures have you developed for risk avoidance by electrical crew workers? Avoid questions that can be answered with “yes” or “no.” Instead phrase your questions to elicit a detailed response (use “wh-questions words like who, what, when, where, why, which, how.)

Preparing Interview Questions Avoid loaded questions (because they promote bias) E.g. Wouldn’t you agree that EMF hazards have been overstated? Save the most difficult, complex, sensitive questions for last Write out each question on a separate blank page Use a three-ring binder and flip through the pages recording answers to each question

Conducting the Interview Make a good start Be sensitive to cultural differences Let the respondent do most of the talking Be a good listener Stick to your interview plan Ask for clarification and explanation Keep checking your understanding Be ready with follow-up questions Keep note-taking to a minimum

Concluding the Interview Ask for closing comments Would you care to add anything? Is there anyone else I should talk to? Is there anyone who has a different point of view? Are there any other sources you are aware of that might help me better understand this issue? Request permission to follow up Invite the respondent to review your version Thank your respondent and leave promptly As soon as you leave the interview, write a complete summary

Surveys and Questionnaires A Survey helps you to form impressions of the concerns, preferences, attitudes, beliefs, needs, or perceptions of a large, identifiable group by studying representatives of that group. A questionnaire is the tool of a survey.

Stages of a Survey Define the purpose and the target population Identify the sample group Define the survey method Analyze samples

Guidelines for Developing a Questionnaire Decide on the type of questions Open-ended or closed-ended (What type of data do you need for your analysis?) Design an engaging introduction and opening questions Make each question unambiguous Make each question unbiased Make it brief, simple, and inviting See example Lannon page 161

Survey Question Revision Exercise Revise these questions to make them more suitable for a questionnaire: Would a female president do the job as well as a male president? Don’t you think that euthanasia is a crime? Do you oppose increased government spending? Are teachers responsible for the decline in literacy among students? Do you prefer Rocket Cola to other leading brands?

Public Records and Organizational Publications Public Records hold valuable data regarding anything with which the government has an interest. Tax records, Legal records, Environmental records, Safety records, the list goes on and on Organizational Publications Reports, Memos, Web pages, Brochures, Annual reports Be alert for potential bias

Personal Observation and Experiments Always the Final Step - Make sure you have a plan and take detailed notes immediately Personal observation is not foolproof. You may have biases that influence your observation.