Research: Is Data More Than a Four-Letter Word Research: Is Data More Than a Four-Letter Word? OR is it the same as MATH?! Ms. Anderson

The Purpose Numbers are a necessary part of life. Numbers by themselves mean nothing. Examples 7*2=16 or 7+13=22 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octal Numbers need to relate to research Perceptions of school due to students’ emotional attachment due to its size and impersonal connection Don’t feel like part of a school “family” Expert – principal – what we are doing to help people feel connected Need more than just interviews and observations as sources so you cover everyone’s ideas

Why Else? What research provides is statistical evidence to support the information that you are providing for readers, information that is brought up by your sources. In a word, research provides credibility to your story. Research provides relevance to your story, a sense of timeliness and immediacy that your article might otherwise be lacking. Research can help lead to more and better questions.

When to Conduct Research First, conduct research before you go to an interview and before you observe to provide needed background that you may find useful during those other processes. Second, sometimes research leads to story ideas and angles. Third, research can help writers to determine if a story really does exist, and it can lead to some hard-hitting stories that will certainly challenge your readers to think. Research is an ongoing process. Good journalists tend to keep an ear to the ground as well as data and statistics for the underlying questions that will affect their readers.

How to Conduct Research Key word is RELEVANCE Good research starts with a solid research question What is it that I want to find out that will help advance the angle and theme of my story? Case in point: RESEARCH WHAT YOU ARE WRITING ABOUT. Internet is NOT always the best Graduation Destinations example: internet vs. counselor

Credibility It is prudent that we take the time to consider the research you find and the credibility of that information You should always consider the source of your research Be wary of the information you find online You must always be on the alert for false information Verify your online research by finding it on more than one site and/or in books Stay on sties that you know are credible Always look for the most timely information

How to Incorporate Research Realize that you will not use it all – and that is OKAY! THE LAST THING READERS WANT IS SOME LONG CHAIN OF DATA STRUNG BACK TO BACK.

Polls and Surveys Conduct your own polls and surveys to get the information you need Choose a sample size Example: 200 out of 1000 is 20% Do you have time to survey 400 kids out of 1000 for 40% of your school? Get the survey approved by your school’s administration so it doesn’t “disrupt the learning environment” These take lots of foresight and planning – MUCH HARDER THAN THEY SOUND.

I do believe it is time for the nasty four letter word: Quiz