Research
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Research is a process for creating a broad framework of information which can be used to develop and refine concepts. Here is list of ideas for how to conduct the research process. People in various fields of study are encouraged to join together and elaborate particular concepts related to their work. Tips to begin: Write a broad list of questions that need to be answered to support a thesis. Be specific: inquire about details that need to be filled in, and note places to find those details. FIND IT! First just start collecting all of the multimedia content which already exists. There is so much information already out there just waiting to be harnessed! Sources of information: Internet and computers Libraries, colleges, organizations, government agencies, public records, research collection agencies, survey groups, databases Books, dictionary/ thesaurus, encyclopedias/ atlases, text books, journals, magazines, news papers, pamphlets, periodicals, thesis papers, yearbooks Audio- cassette tapes, CDs, records, reels Videos- VHS, DVDs People- interviews, surveys, polling, questionnaires Natural environment- observation, experimentation, scientific reasoning Different types of content: Internet links and computer software Text, letters, blogs, articles, lists Statistics, spreadsheets, surveys, equations Speeches, interviews, transcripts, quotations Handouts, flyers, advertisements Diagrams, maps, graphs, charts, time lines Animations Audio / video tracks and recordings, live conferencing Images: pictures, photos, illustrations, microfilm, graphics Presentations, slides Pedagogical- dioramas, models Public records, directories, FOIA requests Quotes, ideas, insight INVESTIGATION Perhaps the information you are seeking has yet to be gathered and you will have to perform a study independently. Here are a few ways to gather information from experimentation, tests, trial and error, surveying, and observation. Make a list of: people, organizations, government agencies, schools, and businesses that work in the field, have beneficial resources, or possessing valuable knowledge on the respective subject. Talk with every single person in the field. Maintain a log of interactions. Keep a record of the organizations you have contacted and the people you come across. Take pictures, record audio and video, write down quotes and transcribe conversations. Keep a pad of paper to take notes on, have a computer ready, and keep the tape rolling. Know the next step ahead. Be prepared to ask good questions. Maintain an organized process for recording the ideas you receive and catoluging them into text, transcripts, video, audio, or charts. RESEARCH TEAMS: Do things together as a group. Get some friends and go to the library. Read books watch films and have discussions. Make joint calls to local congressman. Take a group visit to a facility and get a tour. Operate as a cooperative unit. Combine efforts into a workforce. Help each other on projects, share research, direct people to new contacts. Create a team of researchers to take on topics, spread out to cover various sources, and contact different organizations and individuals. |
