Basic Terms

1
Basic Terms

• Researchthe process of finding information
  relevant to a particular topic
• Sourceany medium that provides information
  relevant to a particular topic

2
Purpose

• 1) Enhancing Knowledge
• Sources provide knowledge beyond your own.
• 2) Enhancing Credibility (the degree to which
  you are convincing or believable)
• Sources provide support or evidence for what
  you claim

3
Enhancing Knowledge

• Youve been asked to submit a report outlining
  your companys financial strategy for the coming
  year. You might know the companys finances
  quite well, but do you know the overall economic
  outlook for the next year? Do you know what your
  suppliers are likely to charge you for supplies?

4
Enhancing Credibility

• You are writing a report about the need for more
  computer labs at IVCC. You submit the report to
  the IVCC board. Why should they believe you?
  Are you a computer expert?

5

• The Bottom Line
• Your report can only be as informative and as
  convincing as your sources are.

6
Primary Sources

• Definition first-hand sources information you
  gather yourself
• Examples interviews, surveys, experiments,
  observations
• Advantages This information is about your topic
  specifically.

7
Secondary Sources

• Definition second-hand sources information
  that you access that has been gathered by someone
  else.
• Examples books, newspaper articles, magazine
  articles, websites, studies, product brochures,
  manuals, etc.
• Advantages Someone else has done the work for
  you you just have to locate the source.

8
Research Questions

• What do I need to find out about my topic?
• What information do I need to convince my reader?
• Where can I find this information?
• Which of the sources I find will be the most
  informative and/or convincing?

9
Evaluating Sources

• Is the source really relevant?
• Is it current?
• Is its author credible?
• Is it well-researched?
• Is it unbiased?
• Is that Internet source really reliable?