Call to Write, Third edition

1
Call to Write, Third edition

• Chapter 15, Fieldwork and the Research Report

2
Chapter overview

• The chapter looks at the use of fieldwork, or
  research done through observation, interviews,
  and questionnaires
• Looks at the genre
• Examines how researchers design fieldwork
• Then looks at the three methods

3
The genre of the research report

• Reports are the primary method of communication
  for natural and social scientists, engineers,
  computer scientists, and other researchers
• Academic journals publish them
• Research reports follow a standardized form

4
Research report format

• An introductiondefines the problem.
• A literature reviewshows how the question
  addressed in the research grows out of prior
  work.
• A methods sectionshows how research was
  conducted.

5
Research format, cont.

• A results sectionreports the findings, using
  tables, graphs and other visual media.
• A discussion sectioninterprets the findings by
  explaining how they relate to the question.
• A conclusion that summarizes the main findings
  and points out implications.

6
Sample report

• See pages 511-516 for a sample report, which
  illustrates the format, as well as the different
  components of a report.
• See pages 516-517 for analysis of the genre, by
  looking at each section and examining its
  function in the overall report.

7
Designing a project

• See page 518 for a list of five questions to help
  plan the project.
• What is the general problem?
• What background information is available?
• How can you use background information to help
  carve out a research space?

8
Designing a project, continued

• Is there research you could extend?
• What research method or combination of methods
  best fits your research question?

9
Writing a proposal

• Proposals are generally done before the actual
  project is undertaken page 519 lists the six
  things explained by proposals.
• The proposal can also become the first draft of
  the introduction to the research report.
• Many students are required to do a proposal, and
  get it approved by their professor.

10
Gathering information

• As noted, there are three ways to gather
  information for reports observation, interviews,
  and surveys.
• We will look at each one now.

11
Observation

• Its important to plan first see pages 519-520
  for a list of questions.
• Vantage point where to place yourself so that
  you can see what is going on, and not be in the
  way.

12
Observation, cont.

• Many use tape recorders or cameras to get
  additional material.
• You should take notes, including the setting,
  people, and your response to the situation.
• Make sure you record the basic facts.
• Later, take time to analyze your notes.

13
Interviews

• Three common types of interviews
• Interviews with experts
• Interviews with key participants
• Oral histories

14
Planning interviews

• Background
• Choosing subjects
• Preparing questions
• Considering the type of interview in-person is
  best, but there are three other formats
  (telephone, e-mail, and online)

15
Conducting interviews

• See page 525 for tips on setting up and
  conducting interviews.
• Record the interview, but get permission to do so
  beforehand.
• Analyze the record after the interview.

16
Surveys

• Surveys get responses from a number of people in
  answer to a set of questions.
• There are different types of survey questions,
  but most of them tend to be closed, such as
  true/false, yes/no, checklists, ranking, etc.

17
Surveys, continued

• Describes the process of designing a survey,
  which includes selecting participants and
  designing the questions themselves.
• The box on page 528 cautions about the ethics of
  using loaded questions, such as the sample
  about approving casinos if it reduced property
  taxes. Loaded questions reveal bias, so the
  results are also altered.

18
Methods of conducting surveys

• In person
• By mail
• By telephone
• Online through listservs, newsgroups, or Web sites

19
Alternate methods
20
Compiling and presenting results

• Four questions guide the process
• What patterns that emerge?
• How would you explain these patterns?
• What is the significance of these explanations?
• What claims might you make based on your analysis
  of the results?

21
Student Companion Website

• Go to the student side of the Web site for
  exercises, chapter overviews, and links to
  writing resources for this chapter
• http//www.ablongman.com/trimbur
• Click on the textbook cover, and then select
  Student Resources.