LETS RECAPITULATE

Research paper topics

Main and subsidiary questions
Reading for literature review
Writing a critique
Writing a proposal

RESEARCH TOOLS
INTERVIEW
SURVEY

QUESTIONS
Open ended questions
Closed questions
Yes/no questions
Multiple choice questions
Questions on a continuum
Leading questions

Interviews are wonderful

tools for clearing up your
own confusion and getting
that is unavailable
any
specific
information
where else.

INTERVIEWS
Types of interviews
Personal interviews
Telephone interviews
E-mail interviews
Benefit of personal interviews
Face to face interaction.

INTERVIEWS
Why conduct interviews?
Ans: To clear confusion.
Whom to interview?
Ans: Experts and non experts/affectees.
Where/how to find the interview subjects?
Ans: Check your immediate surroundings.
Check among university faculty etc.
INTERVIEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE
KNOWLEDGE IN YOUR REQUIRED FIELD

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Read up on your subject.

Prepare a list of questions (preferably open ended) e.g
What is the purpose of this interview?
What theories or ideas would you want to ask questions
about?
What specific facts will your subject uncover?
What dont you understand that he/she could explain?
Would you like to test some of your ideas/ impressions?
What about the subjects work would you like to learn?

MAKING CONTACT

Introduce your self and your research.

Use polite language.
Dont impose your self.
Express how important the interview is.
Ask for convenient time and place.
Be prepared to suggest a time and place
of your choice and convenience.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

Take notes or use a tape recorder.

Remember you have to transcribe later.
Begin with a specific question.
Interact on person to person basis.
Be prepared to ask unplanned questions.
Be an attentive listener.
Dont be afraid to ask obvious questions.

ENDING THE INTERVIEW

Make sure you have accurate

background information on your
subject.
Take permission for follow up calls.
Ask for recommendation on reading,
people etc.
Dont forget to sincerely thank your
subject.

SURVEY
Helps in revealing a pattern of
behavior, attitudes or
experiences worth analyzing.

SURVEY DESIGN

What do you want to know?

Whom do you want to know it from?
What type of questions would you
make?
Begin by getting vital information by
the respondent.
Avoid biased questions.
Avoid vague questions.

CONDUCTING
SURVEYS
Planning.
Distribution.
Analysis of data.

Invisible and visible web

Specialized search engines
Lycos invisible web catalog
http://dir.lycos.com/Reference/Search
able_Databases
http://www.intelliseek.com/search.ht
m
http://gwis2.circ.gwu.edu/~gprice/dire
ct.htm

SCHOLARLY INTERNET
RESOURCE

http://lib-www.ucr.edu/
www.britannica.com
http://wwwscout.cs.wisc.edu/scout/ind
ex.html