1. Research PR 305: Dr. Kelly Winfrey

2. Types of Research Primary ResearchPrimary Research Gathers new informationGathers new information Includes surveys, interviews, and observationsIncludes surveys, interviews, and observations Secondary ResearchSecondary Research Retrieves published informationRetrieves published information Includes library and online researchIncludes library and online research

3. Types of Sources Primary SourcesPrimary Sources The original source that conducted primary researchThe original source that conducted primary research Examples- academic journals, research organizations, think tanks, some booksExamples- academic journals, research organizations, think tanks, some books Secondary SourcesSecondary Sources Reports on research conducted by othersReports on research conducted by others Examples- newspapers, magazines, some booksExamples- newspapers, magazines, some books

4. Getting started Start with quality sourcesStart with quality sources Library databasesLibrary databases Reputable websitesReputable websites Do some basic research on the topic to get an understanding of what’s out thereDo some basic research on the topic to get an understanding of what’s out there Be patientBe patient SkimSkim

5. Conducting Research Decide if this requires “hard research” or “soft research”Decide if this requires “hard research” or “soft research” “Hard research” is scientific, objective, has evidence to support claims, and comes from a credible source/author“Hard research” is scientific, objective, has evidence to support claims, and comes from a credible source/author “Soft research” is more subjective and opinion-based“Soft research” is more subjective and opinion-based Mixed “hard” and “soft” research requires both solid facts and good opinions.Mixed “hard” and “soft” research requires both solid facts and good opinions.

6. Conducting Research Decide which type of sources are appropriate.Decide which type of sources are appropriate. “Hard” topics require academically respected evidence.“Hard” topics require academically respected evidence. “Soft” topics is more about collecting the opinions of respected people.“Soft” topics is more about collecting the opinions of respected people. Start with a broad set of search terms, and arrow terms until you get a manageable number of sourcesStart with a broad set of search terms, and arrow terms until you get a manageable number of sources Skim articles and look for more specific terms to help with additional searchesSkim articles and look for more specific terms to help with additional searches Go beyond public search engines to the Deep WebGo beyond public search engines to the Deep Web

7. Conducting Research Keep track of your sourcesKeep track of your sources Bookmark pages that look credible on first glanceBookmark pages that look credible on first glance Use bookmark folders to keep organizedUse bookmark folders to keep organized Filter and validate contentFilter and validate content Author/source credibilityAuthor/source credibility TimelinessTimeliness Be suspicious of:Be suspicious of: Pages with a lot of advertisingPages with a lot of advertising Ranting, overstatingRanting, overstating Commercial websitesCommercial websites

8. Activity Get into groups of 2 or 3Get into groups of 2 or 3 I will assign you a research link to examineI will assign you a research link to examine http://courses.greenlee.iastate.edu/wp/305-winfrey/http://courses.greenlee.iastate.edu/wp/305-winfrey/ You will have about 10 minutes to see what the source has to offer and come up with a demonstration searchYou will have about 10 minutes to see what the source has to offer and come up with a demonstration search Each group will come to the front and demonstrate their research linkEach group will come to the front and demonstrate their research link

9. Activity Research RaceResearch Race Find a new group of 3 or 4. Do not stay with your original partner(s).Find a new group of 3 or 4. Do not stay with your original partner(s). I will give the class a question to research. The first group to find the answer wins a prize.I will give the class a question to research. The first group to find the answer wins a prize.

10. Research Race Find a research report about using websites to recruit donors and volunteers for a charityFind a research report about using websites to recruit donors and volunteers for a charity Find a press release from Hy-Vee about a recent recallFind a press release from Hy-Vee about a recent recall Find the percentage of people in Ames that live below the poverty lineFind the percentage of people in Ames that live below the poverty line Find how many political student organizations Iowa State has.Find how many political student organizations Iowa State has. Find out which fast food restaurant has the largest share of the market in the United States. Find out which fast food restaurant has the largest share of the market in the United States.