Manifestos & Position Papers

• A manifesto is a public declaration from an issuer that advances a set of ideas, opinions, or views, sometimes including a plan of action, they often concern art, literature, or politics.

Manifestos

• The Manifesto dei Pittori futuristi is a type of manifesto
• The Communist Manifesto is also a type of manifesto

Position

• A position is one side of an arguable issue.
• Homework being necessary for learning is an example of a position.

Position Paper

• A position paper presents an author's critical opinion, claim, or viewpoint on an issue
• Position papers aim to persuade the audience and provide supporting arguments and reasons
• Position papers refute counter-arguments to strengthen the paper's claim
• Position papers are closely related to argumentative, persuasive essays, and manifestos

Support

• Relates to evidence or ideas to substantiate reasons, including facts, testimonials, comparisons, examples, opinions, and opposing viewpoints

Parts of a Position Paper

• Position paper introductions present the issue while grabbing the reader's attention
• An introduction should define the issue and discuss its background
• An introduction includes a general statement of position in the form of a thesis statement
• The body of a position paper states the main arguments
• The body should provide sufficient evidence like statistical data, expert interviews, and testimonies
• The body needs to provides counter-arguments against possible weaknesses
• A conclusion restates the position and main arguments
• A conclusion suggests a course of action
• A conclusion states what makes the position more superior and acceptable
• A conclusion ends with a powerful statement like a quotation, challenge, or question

CECC Note

• CECC combines the IBC Format with Claim, Evidentiary, Commentary, and Conclusion

Uses of Position Papers

• Position papers are used in politics through adherence or non-adherence to a political government program
• Position papers are used in art through the creation or abolition of an artistic movement
• Position papers are used in science through the acceptance or non-acceptance of theories
• Position papers are used in education through conformity with educational terms
• Position papers are used in religion with conversion to or departure from religious sects
• Position papers are used professionally with commitment to professional organizations
• Position papers are used technologically with the application of technological advancements
• Position papers are used in business with patronage or boycotts of business

Types of Position Papers

• Expository position papers present a clear stance or position, explaining and clarifying an issue for the reader with evidence and reasoning
• Comparative position papers present a comparison between two or more positions
• Evaluative position papers involves assessing its merits and drawbacks of a proposal or argument
• Constructive position papers present arguments with specific and practical solutions

Writing Principles: Appeals

• Three kinds of appeals state claims or critical opinions
• Policy, fact and value are types of claims

Writing Principles: Reasoning

• Inductive reasoning starts with specific observations and moves toward general conclusions
• Deductive reasoning starts with general statements and moves toward specific conclusions

Providing Evidence

• Examples are a kind of evidence that provide specific instances to illustrate a point using subtypes like:
  • real instances
  • invented examples
  • analogies/comparisons
• Testimonies are another form of evidence used when experts and authorities share verifiable information
• Statistical data is useful when it has been studied and backed up by verifiable sources

Reports

• A report is a document presenting organized information for a specific audience and purpose

Report Purposes

• Reports inform the reader about a subject and serve as the basis for decision-making or to persuade the reader

Report Categories

• Formal reports are meticulously structured, longer, and focused on objectivity
• Informal reports are less structured, shorter, and conversational

Formal Report Types

• Survey reports objectively present information gathered from a survey
• Laboratory/Scientific Technical Reports exhibit findings or results incorporating findings
• Field reports contain significant observations and analysis of a person, place, or an event
• Research reports are expanded papers presenting results and interpretations of a phenomenon

Parts of a Research Report

• The title page includes the title, author, affiliation, and date
• The abstract briefly presents the context, questions, methodology, major findings, conclusions, and implications
  • Abstracts range from 100-250 words
• The introduction explains the field, context, and purpose of the study with 3-5 paragraphs
• Literature reviews provide critical analysis and synthesis of existing research
• Methodologies describe the designs and procedures
• Results factually describe the data
• Discussions interpret the results, significance, and relevance
• Conclusions summarize key findings and restate the main point
• References list the sources cited

Informal Reports

• These reports is used for internal communication within an organization

Types of Informal Reports

• Meeting minutes record of a meeting
• Progressive reports updates information about a project
• Narrative reports describe what happened at a particular event, also knows as accomplishment reports

Data Collection

• Data Collection is a systematic process for research includes interviews, surveys, observations, documents and records.
• Data collection tools refers to the devices/instruments used to collect data, such as paper
• Questionnaires and computer assisted interviewing systems are examples of tools

Survey vs Questionnaire

Questionnaire Types

• Open-ended formats in questionnaires allow respondents to voice feelings freely
• Closed-ended formats let respondents select from given options

Closed-Ended Questions Types

• Multiple choice questions provide several answers from which to choose
• Rank order questions require ranking
• Likert Scale are commonly used by researchers
• Dichotomous questions require a yes or no answer
• Bipolar questions use opposing adjectives
• Rating scale questions require rating on a scale

Demographic Questions

• Demographic Questions include age, gender, education, employment/marital status, income, housing and business

Mixed Format Questionnaires

• Combines closed and open questions

Pictorial Questionnaire

• This type of questionnaire is geared for those who are unable to read

Mistakes in Questionnaire Design

• Vagueness
• Too many options
• Too many Open ended questions
• Incorrect Demographics
• Leading Questions
• Double Barreled Questions

Survey Defined

• Surveys contains planned questions which are used to measure attitudes, perceptions, and opinions

Survey Activities

1. Development of questions for the instrument
2. Testing/revising the item questions
3. Need clear instructions
4. Choosing a means to deliver the survey
5. Sending out the follow up letter

Guidelines for Tone

• Enlist legitimate authority figures
• Use a professional and scholarly tone
• Be clear, concise, assure confidentiality, stress the benefits of participation, and indicate the time frame

Survey Distribution

• Contact each participant at least 4 times including letters, mailing with reminders and follow ups

Post Survey Analysis

• Check each survey
• Review database
• Make any corrections needed

Interviews

• An interview is an instrument the allows the researcher to gather data from a individual

Stages of Interviews

• Pre interviews require some interview guide
• Warm up requires an initial part question
• Main Interviews focuses on the the directly related questions
• The is a closing

Interview Types

• Structured interviews, unstructured interview
• Semi-structured interview, using both structured and unstructured questions to get detailed information

Guidelines for Interviewing

• Interview should follow these guidelines: introduce yourself, tell confidentiality, have a warm-up, adjust your language

Observation Defined

• Observation allows the description of behavior and is helpful in studying behavioral questions when subjects cannot respond questions.

Guidelines for Observations

• Observations should include development of observation, limitations

Types of Observation

• Types of Observations are Naturalistic/Controlled, Participant/Non-participant, Structured/Unstructured, Overt/Covert

Taking of Notes for Observations

• Can use techniques such as: Note taking, Photographs, Recordings

Experiment Procedures

• Experiment involve: Make observations, Develop the hypothesis, Design experiment, Conduct, Results, Accept

Visual Tools for Experiments

• Always need clean lab, safety and informed content

Visuals & Graphics

• Visuals and graphics is used to present information
• Tables organizes in a grid-like, connects dot to display changes