1. TASK QUESTIONS AND RESOURCES
Launching Your Inquiry

2. Planning the Team’s Inquiry
Decision-making/Problem-solving (Simon ‘77))
Intelligence
Design
Choice
Review

3. Identifying Questions for Analysis
Questions of Fact Questions of Value Questions of Policy Questions of Prediction

4. Phrasing Questions for Discussion
Guidelines
Focus on one idea per question
Phrase questions unambiguously and clearly
Phrase questions objectively
Phrase questions open-endedly

5. Phrasing (cont’d.) Fact Measured or proved Numerical/quantitative
Historical data
Empirical
Expert support
Avoid adjectives > subjectivity

6. Phrasing (cont’d.) Value Degree or worthwhileness How to prioritize
Consistent with moral, ethical, and value criteria
Policy
“Should” statements
“Possible” actions or solutions
Subsume ideas of values and facts
Avoid adjectives
Prediction
Future possibility re fact, value, or policy
Probabilities

7. Planning Research Identify Needs for Data Historical Empirical
Critical analysis
Opinion research
Make a Team Plan
Divide the work; make specific assignments
Guidelines for presentation of info to team
Set deadlines

8. Identifying Information Resources
Primary vs. Secondary
Information from Interviews
Interviewing Tips
2 Broad Categories of Questions
“Shooting”
“Fishing”

9. Identifying (cont’d.) Information from Surveys Shorter the better
Friendly to all
Plan all aspects of the process
Keep questions simple, unbiased, and positive
Quick and easy to complete
Design tabulation process
Easier at beginning, tougher at end
Demographics at conclusion
Neat and professional
Internet

10. Sharing Information as a Team
Working Through Information Together
Total open communication of all collected info
Make Clear Reports
Categorize and organize
Post information
Purposeful visuals

11. Sharing Info (cont’d.) Methods for visuals No extraneous info
Big and easy to see messages
Brief
Clear
Only few items per visual <7
Use vivid comparisons or contrasts
Use best method for your purpose