Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Professional Communication: Strategies for College and the Workplace by Dan Jones & Karen Lane Chapter 5: Gathering Information

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Conducting Effective Interviews

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Conducting Effective Interviews Look for subject-matter experts Research the credentials of the person you are interviewing Research the company or organization that you are investigating

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Research Look for subject-matter experts Research the company or organization

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Prepare Decide how you will keep track of information If necessary, arrange for an on-site visit Check to see if you need security clearance at the interview sight — continued —

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Prepare Consider what you will wear Plan the length of the interview Make the actual physical arrangements — continued —

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Prepare Create a list of questions Practice, practice, practice

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. At the Interview Be friendly, yet businesslike Ask clear questions Listen carefully Take comprehensive notes Obtain any necessary permissions

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Follow up Send a written thank-you letter Work your notes into an organizational outline

Using the Library

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Plan Your Research Allow enough time for investigation Define your topic Decide how you will document your research

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Locating Information Translate your topic into the subject language of indexes and catalogs Work from the general to the specific Check for more information in your –lecture notes –textbooks –reserve readings — continued —

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Locating Information Use a variety of sources –books –journal articles –online databases Look in other libraries –interlibrary loan –online catalogs

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Working with Your Information Have a good balance of sources-- don’t have too few or too many Evaluate what you have found Use a standard format for your bibliography

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Evaluating Print Sources When was the source published? Is the work a first edition? Who is the publisher? Is the source a scholarly or a popular journal? — continued —

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Evaluating Print Sources What type of audience is the author addressing? Is the material fact, opinion, or propaganda? Is the information valid and well researched? Is the author objective and impartial? — continued —

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Evaluating Print Sources Does the work – supplement other sources you’ve used? – substantiate other materials? – provide new information ? — continued —

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Evaluating Print Sources How thoroughly does the work cover your topic? Is it primary or secondary material? Is the publication logically organized? Has the work been well received by others?

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Evaluating Internet Sources

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Evaluating Internet Sources Many Internet sources have not been reviewed Consider the author’s credibility Try to ascertain the material’s accuracy Identify the author’s perspective — continued —

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Evaluating Internet Sources Determine the author’s purpose Look for evidence of quality control View the quality of the content and format critically Check the material for completeness — continued —

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Evaluating Internet Sources Analyze the content for: balance objectivity and bias accuracy Check for timeliness Ascertain originality — continued —

Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved. Evaluating Internet Sources Review accessibility Look for documentation