1. University of Northern IA
Presentation prepared by:
Marilyn Shaw
University of Northern IA
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2. Chapter 8 Research: Gathering and Using Information
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3. Develop a Research Plan
Start early and gather information that you think you will need.
Think carefully about your topic. Where should you go to find information about your topic?
Prepare a preliminary list of references.
Be selective about materials that will enhance your own knowledge and clarify information for your listeners.
Understand your instructor’s specifications for the assignment.
Take good notes and keep complete information on the sources.
At some point, “enough is enough.
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

4. Research: Gathering Information
The Internet as an Information Source
Basic Guidelines
Author
Publishing Body
Currency
Purpose
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5. Web site criteria? Author or producer? Reliability of source?
Bias of source?
Completeness and accuracy?
Intended audience?
Currency of source?
Quality of writing?
Webmaster contact info provided?
Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2008

6. Social Media as an Information Source
Impacts of Social Media on Education
It’s free
It cuts down the isolation
It builds tolerance and understanding of cultural diversity
It can amplify passion
The world of education is more open
My granddaughters
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

7. Information Sources Using Yourself The Interview
Establish the purpose of the interview
Choose the interviewee
Conduct research prior to the interview
Record the interview
Prepare questions
Organize the interview
Other considerations
Chapter 8, page 207
Nancy Kaszerman/ZUMA Press/Newscom
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

8. The Library as an Information Source
Library Computer Search
Mediated Information Sources
The Reference Department
Suggestions for Doing Research
State a clear purpose before starting your research
Begin your research early
Use computer searches when possible
Maintain a bibliography of sources
Take notes
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

9. Virtual Libraries www.vlib.org www.digital-librarian.com
Your campus library probably has a virtual address as well.

10. Types of Search Engines
Search engines index the contents of the Web and make it easier for the user to find information.
Individual search engines, such as Google and Yahoo!, compile their own databases.
Meta-search engines, such as Mamma.com and Dogpile, scan many individual search engines simultaneously pulling the top, and usually paid listings, from each.
Specialized search engines, or vortals, conduct searches in a particular field. Examples of SSE are GoogleScholar, FindArticles, and WebMD.

11. Factors in internet research
Remember that your research is subject to both your ability to do a good search and other factors such as commercial ones:
Paid Inclusion and paid placement
When companies want ensure a successful search for them they may pay Google, Yahoo, etc. to guarantee their result ratio

12. Using Research to Clarify and Support Ideas
Testimony
Increases trustworthiness
Qualified sources
Believable to the listener
Examples
Brief examples
Illustrations
Analogies
Restatements

13. Testimony
Opinions or conclusions of witnesses or recognized authorities add trustworthiness.
The speaker’s own experience can be good testimony.
Two kinds of testimony: Expert and Lay
Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2008

14. Examples
Brief examples: a specific instance used to introduce a topic, drive home a point, or create a desired impression.
Illustration: a narrative, case history, or anecdote that is striking and memorable. Two types of illustrations: Factual – a report of something that exists or actual happened Hypothetical - report of something that could happen given a specific set of circumstances
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15. Examples contd.
Analogy: A comparison of two things that are similar in certain essential characteristics. Two types of analogies: Figurative – a comparison of things in different categories. Example: “Life is like a river.” Literal – a comparison of things of the same category. Example: “Birds of a feather…”
Restatement: The expression of the same idea but with different words. “To put it another way…”
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16. Using Research to Clarify and Support Ideas (cont.)
Definitions
Logical definition
Operational definition
Definition by example

17. Definitions contd.
Logical: a definition consisting of a term’s dictionary definition and the characteristics that distinguish the term from other members of the same category.
Operational: A definition that explains how an object or concept works or lists the steps that make up a process
Definition by example: clarifying a term, not by describing it or giving its meaning, but by mentioning or showing an example of it
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18. Facts and Statistics Fact: A documented occurrence
Facts are used to give credibility to opinion and clarify statements based on objectively gathered and documented occurrences, such as statistics.
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19. Statistics
Statistics are numerical data that show relationships or summarize or interpret many instances.
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20. Types of Statistics
Frequency: How often a relationship or characteristic occurs – ex. 1 out of 5
Average/Mean: The ‘typical’ occurrence – ex. The average American…
Percentage: A portion of a whole – ex. 50%
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21. Guidelines for Statistics
Sources must be reliable/neutral
Explain statistics you are using
Use sparingly
Round off large numbers when possible
Use visual aids to present statistics if appropriate/possible

22. Fig. 8.2 Visualizing Statistical Data
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23. Using statistics ethically
Check the source – Remember that while statistics are made of numbers that are objective and absolute; the people gathering them can be unreliable.
Do not “cherry- pick”: Do not use only the statistics that reflect your opinion without first acknowledging that there may contradictory ones
Use statistics in their context – statistics are not eternal and are always subject to being updated. They are essentially quantitative captures of a moment in time.
Statistics of populations never reflect the ENTIRE population, only the portion that participated.
Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2008