Identifying Secondary Sources
You should begin nearly every report by researching secondary sources. Remember that a report is only as good as its data. Carefully search for and evaluate information in print resources and on the Web.
Read the scenario, and then answer the question.
You are writing a recommendation report that will help your organization decide whether or not to adopt a Web-conferencing system for your company’s remote meetings. You decide to begin your research by gathering information from secondary sources.
1. What information will you find in secondary sources on this topic? Check all that apply.
Consumer reviews of different Web-conferencing systems
Surveys of coworker preferences in your organization
News articles on Web conferences in global work environments
Studies on the productivity gains resulting from the use of Web conferences
2. What is an advantage of using electronic databases for research?
They provide print card catalogs.
They provide smaller, more manageable amounts of information.
They provide bibliographic information, abstracts, and full-text documents.
3. When you’re utilizing search engines, what strategies can help you save time? Check all that apply.
Use two or three search tools.
Use words such as for, to, and from.
Use at least ten words in your query.
Use bookmarks.
Use Boolean search strategies.
Consider each scenario, and then answer the question.
After gathering data for a report on cubicle height and work productivity, you decide to use a survey to get measurable qualitative and quantitative feedback.
4. What are the advantages of using a survey? Check all that apply.
Surveys reach large groups nearby or at great distances.
Surveys receive high response rates.
Survey respondents are always truthful.
Surveys offer ample time for recipients to consider their answers.
Surveys gather data economically and efficiently.
You are asked to write a report on a topic for which little or no information is available. You decide to conduct interviews with several experts and veterans in the field.
5. How should you conclude each interview with an expert?
Express your appreciation and ask for permission to telephone later to verify points.
Inform the expert that you will be calling him or her later to verify points.
Ask a lot of open-ended questions in the last five minutes.
Jeanne is writing a report for her company on interaction and communication between employees and customers. She decides to observe the company’s telephone marketers as they sell a new line of tires in order to provide qualitative examples that will enrich the data she has already gathered. She sits and watches them for an hour and then leaves.
6. What could she have done to make her observations more complete and accurate?
She could have engaged in casual conversation with the telephone marketers.
She could have taken notes on events, actions, and settings.
She could have instructed the telephone marketers on how to respond to calls.