Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the main aim of academic research?
What is the main aim of academic research?
Which of the following is an example of a scientific question in the context of research?
Which of the following is an example of a scientific question in the context of research?
What type of research is described as a comprehensive literature review before conducting scientific research?
What type of research is described as a comprehensive literature review before conducting scientific research?
Which aspect might be investigated regarding standardized tests in public primary schools?
Which aspect might be investigated regarding standardized tests in public primary schools?
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What concept is central to the principles and theories discussed in the research?
What concept is central to the principles and theories discussed in the research?
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Which of the following is a common strength of competitive products and services?
Which of the following is a common strength of competitive products and services?
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What is a typical weakness of competitive products and services?
What is a typical weakness of competitive products and services?
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Which factor can enhance the strength of a service in a competitive environment?
Which factor can enhance the strength of a service in a competitive environment?
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What is often seen as a disadvantage for products competing in a saturated market?
What is often seen as a disadvantage for products competing in a saturated market?
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What can be a potential strength of a competing product?
What can be a potential strength of a competing product?
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What is the primary aim of workplace research?
What is the primary aim of workplace research?
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Which of the following is an example of a question that workplace research might address?
Which of the following is an example of a question that workplace research might address?
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What could be a potential research question related to workplace policies?
What could be a potential research question related to workplace policies?
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Which statement best summarizes the examples given in workplace research?
Which statement best summarizes the examples given in workplace research?
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In workplace research, what is typically evaluated to make decisions?
In workplace research, what is typically evaluated to make decisions?
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What can be learned about the causes of problems within an organization?
What can be learned about the causes of problems within an organization?
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To what extent do employees believe action should be taken regarding workplace situations?
To what extent do employees believe action should be taken regarding workplace situations?
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What is the primary focus of the research discussed?
What is the primary focus of the research discussed?
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What do facts reveal about how jobs are performed in a company?
What do facts reveal about how jobs are performed in a company?
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Which methodology is emphasized for addressing practical issues in the research?
Which methodology is emphasized for addressing practical issues in the research?
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What type of research is most likely to provide direct insights into organizational problems?
What type of research is most likely to provide direct insights into organizational problems?
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How does the performance of a product or service in an organization typically function?
How does the performance of a product or service in an organization typically function?
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What role do employee beliefs play in organizational problem-solving?
What role do employee beliefs play in organizational problem-solving?
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What is a potential benefit of replacing laptops with tablets for sales employees?
What is a potential benefit of replacing laptops with tablets for sales employees?
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What is a negative aspect of a privatization policy on online platforms?
What is a negative aspect of a privatization policy on online platforms?
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Which phase comes immediately after establishing a hypothesis in experimental research?
Which phase comes immediately after establishing a hypothesis in experimental research?
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What is the first step in conducting experimental primary research?
What is the first step in conducting experimental primary research?
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Which method is used to collect qualitative data through direct questioning?
Which method is used to collect qualitative data through direct questioning?
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Which of the following is NOT a phase in experimental research?
Which of the following is NOT a phase in experimental research?
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In experimental research, what is typically done after analyzing the data?
In experimental research, what is typically done after analyzing the data?
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What type of research involves observing participants in their natural environment without interference?
What type of research involves observing participants in their natural environment without interference?
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What is the main purpose of data analysis in research?
What is the main purpose of data analysis in research?
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Which of the following types of research relies heavily on numerical data collection?
Which of the following types of research relies heavily on numerical data collection?
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Study Notes
Course Information
- Course Title: GENG005 Writing & Presentation Skills - Part 2
- Lecture Topic: Research and Information Gathering
- Date: Sunday, November 24, 2024
Educational Objectives
- Utilize effective research methods to gather relevant information for content generation.
- Ensure accuracy and credibility in technical writing.
Outline
- Understanding the Research Process
- Planning for the Research Process
- Researching a topic
- Choosing Appropriate Research Methods
- Conducting Secondary Research
- Conducting Primary Research
- Conducting Experimental Primary Research
Understanding the Research Process - Research Goals
-
Academic Research: Aims to answer scholarly questions.
- Example Questions:
- To what extent do standardized tests contribute to the success of public elementary schools?
- What effects do violent media have on teenagers?
- Focus: Abstract principles and theories.
- Methodology: Extensive secondary research (literature review) before primary research.
- Example Questions:
-
Workplace Research: Aims to solve practical problems.
- Example Questions:
- Should we replace our sales staff's notebook computers with tablets?
- What are the pros and cons of adopting a European-style privacy policy?
- Focus: Improving organizational processes and stakeholder needs.
- Methodology: Significant primary research.
- Example Questions:
Academic vs. Workplace Research
- Academic: Nature of questions: Abstract and theoretical; Research type: Primarily secondary research; Outcome Focus: Understanding principles.
- Workplace: Nature of questions: Practical and situational; Research type: Primarily primary research; Outcome Focus: Improving organizational effectiveness.
Planning for the Research Process
- Eight steps for developing a research plan:
- Analyze the audience
- Analyze the purpose
- Analyze the subject
- Consider the document type
- Work out a schedule and a budget for the project
- Determine what information will need to be part of the document
- Determine what information to acquire
- Create questions to answer in the document
Choosing Appropriate Research Methods
-
Question-Based Research Methods: Research needs are diverse and different research questions necessitate distinct research methods.
-
Long-Term Predictions: For understanding future changes (e.g., outsourcing in computer support), consider:
- Reputable websites and blogs
- Journal and magazine articles
-
Product Evaluation: To assess a specific product's performance (e.g., scanner reliability), consider:
- Secondary research
- Observations at vendor sites
- Product demonstrations
- Interviews with colleagues
- Experimental comparisons of different products
-
Long-Term Predictions: For understanding future changes (e.g., outsourcing in computer support), consider:
Research Question Types
- What is the theory behind a process or technique?
- What is the history of a phenomenon?
- How is the current situation expected to change?
- What products are available to perform a task or provide a service?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of competing products and services?
- Which product or service do experts recommend?
- What do stakeholders think about a current or proposed product or service?
- What are the facts about how jobs are done at a company?
- What can be learned about what caused a problem in an organization?
- What do personnel in a company think should be done about a situation?
- How well would a product or service work in an organization or an institution?
Conducting Secondary Research
- Objective: To gather insights from experts and scientists about a specific topic.
- Goal: To acquire the best available information: accurate, unbiased, comprehensive, and current.
-
Resources:
- Library: Access to specialized handbooks and subscription services
- Online Research: Utilize the web for information gathering
- Organizational Information Centers: Internal libraries that provide critical data for operations.
- Specialists for research inquiries and data retrieval
Understanding Research Tools
- Library Catalogs: Electronic records of physical holdings (books, journals, reports, audio, video). Search tips: limit by media type, publication date, and language. Use logical operators (AND, OR, NOT) for effective searching.
- Online Databases: Access to full-text articles and documents (e.g., ProQuest).
- Al-based Tools: To enhance research resources.
Conducting Primary Research
- Objective: Answering research questions.
- Goal: Obtaining new, accurate, credible, reliable, and unbiased information.
-
Major Primary Research Categories:
- Data Analysis
- Observations and Demonstrations
- Inspections
- Experiments
- Field research
- Interviews
- Inquiries
- Questionnaires
Conducting Experimental Primary Research
-
Experimental Research Phases:
- Establishing a Hypothesis
- Testing the Hypothesis
- Analyzing the Data
- Reporting the Data
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your understanding of effective research methods and information gathering techniques crucial for technical writing. This quiz covers the research process, types of research, and planning strategies needed for thorough academic inquiry.