Research writers find field research helpful when gathering information on an issue in many cases. Some of the reasons it can be valuable is when you cannot find enough published sources that give information on a less popular view. It can also breathe new life on an old issue. Through interviews, observations, surveys and other ways, sometimes you can bring a different perspective out front that has never been considered in the past.
Field research can help you to decide what side of the issue you support and want to write about. It can give a writer first hand knowledge shared from those living it. For example, if I were to interview people running a homeless shelter and those that are homeless, it may bring to light what interventions are most useful, not helpful and need to be created. It is important to plan your interview out in order to maximize the opportunity. Decide on the location and time you can meet. Have a good estimate of how long your interview will be so you can inform them. Make a script of how it will go. Prepare 8 to 20 main questions that are not the yes-no type. Interviews can be face to face, on the phone, in an email or other written ways.
When interviewing you will have to decide on the note taking method you will use. Will you record with the permission of the person you are interviewing? Will you use the transcript method? Either of these are great but you should always take notes no matter what. After the interview analyze and record your results and opinions of how it was helpful or not.
Observation can take time and some additional effort. It may take a few different times to get a clear picture of what you are observing to develop some conclusions and opinions from what you are viewing. Getting permission and setting up observation can be the hardest part. It encourages you to be organized and pay attention to detail. After an observation you must analyze the results of it. You may highlight key individuals to bring understanding of your issue to the reader. You will right down actions and look for patterns that support your issue and may be unusual.
Surveys data can be helpful in gauging the attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of a select representative group of people. This tool is best used when you are tracking a large group rather than a few people. It takes some preparation as you will need to develop concise questions that can be answered with short responses, decide how you will select your group of people and if you are doing it by gender, age or area. Using friends or classmates to test your survey out on would be good to see if it gets the answers you need or if you need to clarify your questions or narrow them. They can be electronic, on paper or done over the phone. You have to check if surveying is legal before you do anything on the phone or in the public. Again, analyze the results and decide if it is helpful for your research. Tips to keep in mind are short, appropriate, clear purpose, being respectful to respondents and make it easy to turn in.
Correspondence is any kind of written responses, such as emails, faxes, letters or communicating through social media. You may engage with experts, government, businesses and people experiencing your topic. It must be done in a cordial manner so people will want to respond.
Attending public events, such as conferences, lectures, hearings and other events that may apply to your subject can inform you on your subject. Broadcasts and special news programs can be helpful as well. You can watch or listen to archived recordings of shows and watch streamed events online.
There are lots of options that can be used in research outside of scholarly sources that a person can seek out if they are motivated and organized.
Field research can help you to decide what side of the issue you support and want to write about. It can give a writer first hand knowledge shared from those living it. For example, if I were to interview people running a homeless shelter and those that are homeless, it may bring to light what interventions are most useful, not helpful and need to be created. It is important to plan your interview out in order to maximize the opportunity. Decide on the location and time you can meet. Have a good estimate of how long your interview will be so you can inform them. Make a script of how it will go. Prepare 8 to 20 main questions that are not the yes-no type. Interviews can be face to face, on the phone, in an email or other written ways.
When interviewing you will have to decide on the note taking method you will use. Will you record with the permission of the person you are interviewing? Will you use the transcript method? Either of these are great but you should always take notes no matter what. After the interview analyze and record your results and opinions of how it was helpful or not.
Observation can take time and some additional effort. It may take a few different times to get a clear picture of what you are observing to develop some conclusions and opinions from what you are viewing. Getting permission and setting up observation can be the hardest part. It encourages you to be organized and pay attention to detail. After an observation you must analyze the results of it. You may highlight key individuals to bring understanding of your issue to the reader. You will right down actions and look for patterns that support your issue and may be unusual.
Surveys data can be helpful in gauging the attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of a select representative group of people. This tool is best used when you are tracking a large group rather than a few people. It takes some preparation as you will need to develop concise questions that can be answered with short responses, decide how you will select your group of people and if you are doing it by gender, age or area. Using friends or classmates to test your survey out on would be good to see if it gets the answers you need or if you need to clarify your questions or narrow them. They can be electronic, on paper or done over the phone. You have to check if surveying is legal before you do anything on the phone or in the public. Again, analyze the results and decide if it is helpful for your research. Tips to keep in mind are short, appropriate, clear purpose, being respectful to respondents and make it easy to turn in.
Correspondence is any kind of written responses, such as emails, faxes, letters or communicating through social media. You may engage with experts, government, businesses and people experiencing your topic. It must be done in a cordial manner so people will want to respond.
Attending public events, such as conferences, lectures, hearings and other events that may apply to your subject can inform you on your subject. Broadcasts and special news programs can be helpful as well. You can watch or listen to archived recordings of shows and watch streamed events online.
There are lots of options that can be used in research outside of scholarly sources that a person can seek out if they are motivated and organized.
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