Chapter 8 Research: Gathering and Using Information

Learning Objectives 8.1 Develop a research plan to gather information and find supporting materials for your speeches. 8.2 Identify five principal sources of information for your speech topic. 8.3 Differentiate among the four types of materials that can support and clarify your ideas.

Develop a Research Plan (1 of 3) Learning Objective 8.1: Develop a research plan to gather information and find supporting materials for your speeches.

Develop a Research Plan (2 of 3) Strengthen your own knowledge about the chosen topic. Consider the amount of background reading and what sources will achieve your goal. Think about types of supporting material. Determine how much evidence is required to make your point.

Develop a Research Plan (3 of 3) An adequate research plan requires you to: Start early and gather more information than you think you will need. Identify where you should go to find the best information to create your speech. Prepare a preliminary list of references. Be selective about materials that will enhance your knowledge and clarify information for your listeners. Take good notes and keep complete information on the sources so you do not have to start over. Know when to say “enough is enough.”

Research: Gathering Information (1 of 6) Learning Objective 8.2: Identify five principal sources of information for your speech topic.

Research: Gathering Information (2 of 6) The Internet as an Information Source The web offers a wealth of information from a variety of sources. To determine if the information you find on the web is reliable, consider: Author Publishing body Currency Purpose Comparison

Research: Gathering Information (3 of 6) Social Media as an Information Source Most social media can provide information. Quality of information matters more than quantity. You as an Information Source Your own experiences and knowledge can contribute to the content of your speech. Probe your knowledge of a subject to organize your thoughts and develop a research plan.

Research: Gathering Information (4 of 6) The Interview as an Information Source The interview can be a valuable tool for gathering expert opinion (ideas, testimony, conclusions, or judgments of recognized authorities). Steps involved in the interview process: Establish the purpose of the interview. Choose the interviewee. Conduct research prior to the interview. Record the interview. Prepare questions. Organize the interview. Use interview clips in your speech.

Research: Gathering Information (5 of 6) The Library as an Information Source Many libraries allow access to their indexes through home or campus computers. Libraries offer mediated sources, such as online databases of periodicals or services such as LexisNexis or ERIC. Most library research begins in the reference department with dictionaries, almanacs, encyclopedias, yearbooks, and bibliographies.

Research: Gathering Information (6 of 6) Suggestions for Research State a clear purpose before you start the research. Begin your research early. Use computer searches when possible. Maintain a bibliography of sources. Add to your information base with appropriate mediated sources. Take notes.

Use Research to Support and Clarify Ideas (1 of 7) Learning Objective 8.3: Differentiate among the four types of materials that can support and clarify your ideas.

Use Research to Support and Clarify Ideas (2 of 7) Testimony (1 of 2) Testimony refers to the opinions or conclusions of witnesses or recognized authorities. Testimony adds trustworthiness to what a speaker says. Testimony can either support or clarify material, or both. Testimony can be either directly quoted or paraphrased.

Use Research to Support and Clarify Ideas (3 of 7) Testimony (2 of 2) Testimony should meet two essential tests: The person whose words are cited must be qualified by virtue of skills, training, expertise, recognition, and reputation. The expert’s opinion must be acceptable and believable to your listeners. For maximum credibility, testimony should come from objective sources.

Use Research to Support and Clarify Ideas (4 of 7) Examples (1 of 2) Examples are simple, representative incidents or models that clarify a point. A brief example is a specific instance used to introduce a topic, drive home a point, or create a desired impression.

Use Research to Support and Clarify Ideas (5 of 7) Examples (2 of 2) Illustrations are narratives, case histories, or anecdotes that are striking and memorable. Factual illustrations tell what actually happened. Hypothetical illustrations tell what could happen. An analogy is a comparison of two things that are similar in certain essential characteristics. Figurative analogies are comparisons of things in different categories. Literal analogies are comparisons of members of the same category.

Use Research to Support and Clarify Ideas (6 of 7) Definitions Definitions are required for all unfamiliar words and concepts. A logical definition usually contains two parts, a dictionary definition and the characteristics that distinguish it from the term or other terms in the same category. An operational definition explains how an object or concept works or lists the steps that make up that process. A definition by example clarifies a term not by describing it or giving its meaning but by mentioning or showing an example of it.

Use Research to Support and Clarify Ideas (7 of 7) Statistics Statistics are numerical data that show relationships or summarize or interpret many instances. Make sure the statistics you present in your speech are from reliable, neutral, and credible sources. Take time to explain the statistics you use. Use statistics sparingly. Round off large numbers when possible.

Figure 8.2: Visualizing Statistical Data A chart with statistics can help summarize complex data and make ideas interesting to your audience. Source: Based on Africa’s Orphaned Generations, Ch 2, UNICEF, http://www.unicef.org/sowc06/pdfs/africas_orphans.pdf, retrieved March 31, 2012.