Chapter SevenGathering, Evaluating, and Documenting Information

Asking Productive Questions Personal experience? Previous reading? Information from friends and/or colleagues? Questions for a specialist? Keywords for a catalog or WWW search?

Asking Productive Questions

Remember . . . Think creatively. Return to this phase. Document as you go.

Planning Your Research Phase1. Ask productive questions.

Brainstorm a variety of sources, prepare for each. Think broadly and narrowly about your topic. Plan your use of sources and narrow as you go.

Planning Your Research Phase2. Look for answers.

Use what’s available— Interviews, newsgroups, listservs Encyclopedias, e-libraries, abstracts Physical libraries, e-journals, databases

Have a plan (save time, effort). Make notes (avoid repetition or cross-check sources). Use initial answers to formulate more/better

questions.

Planning Your Research Phase

3. Evaluate your answers. Decide on evaluation criteria early. Do a quick preliminary evaluation to spot-

check. Skim away inappropriate sources quickly so

you know what you have and what you need.

Planning Your Research Phase

4. Cite your sources. Use your audience to decide on formal or

informal. Be clear and credible. Err on the side of caution. Remember that you represent your company.

Interview Etiquette

1. Complete background reading. Check the encyclopedia, the Web, and current

publications to ensure that you’re prepared. Make notes for potential questions during this

phase.

Interview Etiquette

2. Know your subject specialist. Check with colleagues, the library, the Web:

Qualifications? Approach? Potential bias? Reputation? Previously written or said on topic?

Use this in conjunction with background reading to compose your list of questions (see step 3).

Interview Etiquette

3. Compose a list of questions. Target your interviewee’s area of expertise. Use questions that require explanation. Acknowledge the specialist’s expertise Stay focused. Anticipate/prepare follow-up questions. Check accuracy by reiterating important

information.

Interview Etiquette

4. Be polite. Call or write ahead of time to request the

interview. Try to give a week or two notice, maybe more. Offer to submit questions ahead of time. Offer to conduct the interview by email if

necessary. Set a scheduled time slot (15-30 min?).

Interview Etiquette

4. Be polite. Be on time; finish on time. Offer to provide a copy of the final document. Thank the interviewee. Write a thank you note and send within one

week.

Newsgroup/Listserv Etiquette Observe the discussion before you start

asking questions. Check archives (and newsgroup FAQ) for

review, if possible. Use clear subject lines. Keep your message to the point.

Newsgroup/Listserv Etiquette Be careful about what personal information

you divulge online; don’t ask others to divulge personal information without good reason.

Pursue extended discussions with one or two using private email.

Newsgroup/Listserv Etiquette Define acronyms or abbreviations the first

time you use them (brb, lol, fye, etc.). Use emoticons J, :-O, etc. to indicate

emotion, but be frugal so you avoid looking silly.

Don’t flame or respond to a flame in-kind.

The Progression of Research: General to Specific Sources

Encyclopedias Online catalogs, databases Journals, indexes Web pages Newsgroups, listservs Chat rooms, email, interviews