Researching and Using Information Chapter 7 Researching and Using Information

Case Study 7 Gloria is a executive assistant for Jameson Recovery Associates. Her company helps businesses develop contingency plans to prevent natural or manufactured disasters from terminating their business operations. Jameson provides consulting, training and software services. The company helps develop plans for the information and records that would need to be recreated I order for a business to continue functioning in the event of disasters. Gloria has been in her current position for three years. Although she loves her job, she has been hoping for an opportunity to show her supervisor that she is ready to assume some more challenging responsibilities. One of the sales executives, Jim, is preparing to make an important presentation to a large software company. When he asks Gloria to assist with initial research, she jumps at the chance. Jim speaks with Gloria on Monday morning, asking her to locate information on the company and prepare a report for his review by a week from that Friday. He tells her that the company is headquartered in Chicago, is publicity held and has been in business since 1979. Gloria is so excited by the project that she neglects to ask Jim some key questions to aid in her research. She wonders what her first step should be, where she should begin he search for information about the company, what specific information would be helpful, and how much information would be needed to prepare a thorough report. After speaking with Jim again, Gloria learns that he wants information on the company’s growth (past, present and planned), financial stability, and corporate officers. He wants to know of planned expansions, mergers, sales , takeovers, or any rumors of such activity. He will use this information to present a detailed plan to the company on safeguarding its business operations in the event of disaster.

Case Study Questions What questions should Gloria have asked Jim during their initial conversation regarding this research project? How should Gloria decide what information she needs, what is most important, and how she should proceed? Based on the information she needs where should Gloria begin her search? What other type of resources might provide the information Gloria needs? How should Gloria determine the data to include in her report to Jim? Should she include recommendations in her report? For this type of report, is it necessary for Gloria to cite her sources? If so, how should she present the information?

Steps in a Search

Planning the Search

Using keywords to Define a Search

Developing Deadlines and Timelines

Lets go back to questions 1 and 2 of the case study. What questions should Gloria have asked Jim during their initial conversation regarding this research project? How should Gloria decide what information she needs, what is most important, and how she should proceed?

Sources of Information

Knowing where to look

Finding it on the Web

Lets go back to questions 3 and 4 of the case study. 3. Based on the information she needs where should Gloria begin her search? 4. What other type of resources might provide the information Gloria needs?

Organizing and Prioritizing Information

Evaluating Sources of Information

Lets go back to questions 5 and 6 of the case study. How should Gloria determine the data to include in her report to Jim? Should she include recommendations in her report? For this type of report, is it necessary for Gloria to cite her sources? If so, how should she present the information?

Case 7 Summary In her excitement at being asked to work on Jim’s presentation, Gloria initially forgot that the most important step in any research project is proper planning. Because she didn’t ask Jim to clarify the specific information he needed, she initially was confused and didn’t know where to begin. Only after determine his needs and the intended use for the information was Gloria able to begin the research process with a clear plan for locating the requested data. When conducting research, it is important to follow each step in the research process1 plan the search, 2 locate sources of information, 3 organize the information, 4 evaluate the sources, use or present the information in an appropriate format. By taking the time to discuss the project again with Jim and determine the specific information he wanted. Gloria should be able to produce a thorough and accurate report that may help convince her supervisor to give her more responsibility.

Wading Through Web Sites: Case Study Page 263 of Textbook Must be typed in Times Roman Numeral Font. Complete Sentences! Don’t start a sentence with yes, no or maybe.