Researchwhat’s it good for?
Engl 3365
What is research good for?
Demonstrates professionalism Remember that proposals sell an idea Research shows that you know something about the topic,
issue, and solution you’re describing Research shows the level of work you’ve put into your idea
Supports arguments Remember that convincing ideas sell best Research provides evidence to support your ideas Research shows what other people think about the topic,
issue, and solution you’re describing
Aids further investigation Research shows where readers can get more information on
the topic, issue, or solution you’re describing
Types of Research
Can define based on where the info came from
PRIMARY research: the information would not exist if you hadn’t collected it
surveys, interviews, photographs, original diagrams
SECONDARY research: the information has been collected or reported by someone else
articles, reports, pre-existing diagrams and photos
What research is important for you?
FunctionBackground research: shows the size, scope, or other
important general features of your problem/issue
Descriptive research: describes important features of the solution or course of action you suggest
Feasibility research: shows or suggests that the course of action you suggest is realistic, beneficial, etc
SourceNewspapers and Magazines: great for background info
Organizations: great for solution ideas & descriptive info
Reports: great for feasibility info
Primary Research
Types/Sources Interviews (including talks with the client) Emails (including client emails) Phone Conversations (a type of interview) Surveys Pictures
TALK TO ME FIRST if you plan to do any kind of primary research for your report
besides talking to the client
Secondary Researchresources
TTU Library1. Simply ask a librarian for help
2. Use on-line databases and advice
Local and National newspapers3. National news – TTU library Nexis-Lexis search portal
4. Local news – Avalanche-Journal
5. Campus news – Daily Toreador
Document your sources
As you’re doing research, use the “can you find it again?” rule of thumb
Write down or save all the information you’d need to find the article, report, or website from scratch
This includes things like publication name, title, author, date, URL, et cetera
A word on proper use
If a fact, observation, or opinion is not your own, then you must cite where it came from
If you include words that are not your own, then you must cite the source and clearly show that it is a quote
If you include a mix of your words and someone else’s, then you must cite the source and clearly show that it is a paraphrase
Review the policy presented in the course syllabus. Talk to me if you are at all unclear on this.