EUW 212 University English COLLECTING INFORMATION/DATA Research Based Document What is a research based document?

A research based document is a document based on information obtained from sources. The term research refers to the process of collecting information/data from varied sources. Research Based Document The writer may use: his/her own experiences, knowledge, and information obtained from other sources. Types of Information The information used can be classified into two major types: Primary information Secondary information Primary Information Data (information or ideas) generated/produced by a researcher for the first time using research methods appropriate to a particular field of study. Secondary Information Data (information and ideas) produced by other people using the information gathered from primary and/or secondary research. Sources of Information Primary information Sources that give primary information Experiment Observation Survey Interview Sources of Information Secondary information Sources that give secondary information Books Periodicals & journals Electronic databases WWW Etc.

Research Methods for Researching for Information Primary research - Research methods for collecting primary information: Conducting survey Conducting interview Conducting observation Conducting experiment Research Methods Secondary research: Research methods for collecting secondary information Consulting printed reference works in the library Searching for information on the WWW Gathering information from databases Thank you EUW212 University English Gathering information Information Two types of information Primary information Secondary information Methods for gathering information Primary methods Secondary methods Primary Methods Experiment Observation Interview Survey Survey What is a survey? Survey is a method for gathering primary information from a group of people by asking them a set of predetermined questions. Survey can be conducted: Using a self-administered questionnaire In person (face-to-face) By telephone Via the Internet

Questionnaire survey What is questionnaire survey? The use of a self-administered questionnaire to collect information from people. Questionnaire What is a questionnaire? A questionnaire is basically a written list of questions. Asking questions Important considerations: What questions should you ask? How many questions to ask? Who should we ask? 1. What questions to ask? What should you ask? What information do you want to know? What are the important aspects underlying the information you need? Example: Buying a car How do you decide what car to buy? What information do you need? What are the important aspects you should know? The important information you may want to consider: Price Technical specifications Aesthetic aspect (e.g. look & feel) Maintenance cost Resale value Etc. 2. How many questions to ask? Some considerations:

Enough to give you the information needed Questionnaire that can be answered quite easily

Asking questions Can all questions be answered? Yes and No. Examples of Problematic Questions Questions which rely on memory Example: How many times did you SMS your friend last week?"

Are likely to lead to non-response or inaccurate replies.

Questions requiring prior knowledge Example: Do you think UniMAPs engineering clean room is the best in Malaysia?"

Need prior knowledge to make comparison 3. Who should you ask? Selection: Who? Representative of population How many? reliability Thank you