Chapter 7: Gathering Materials

Method to Take Research Notes

1. Take plenty of notes 2. Record notes in a consistent format 3. Make a separate entry for each note 4. Distinguish among direct quotations, paraphrases, and your own ideas

Specialized research resources

1. Virtual libraries 2. Government resources 3. Wikipedia

Academic database

A database that catalogues articles from scholarly journals

Preliminary bibliography

A list compiled early in the research process of works that look as if they might contain helpful information about a speech topic

Catalogue

A listing of all the books, periodicals, and other resources owned by a library

Call number

A number used in libraries to classify books and periodicals and to indicate where they can be found on the shelves

Several Steps to Take During the Interview

1. Dress appropriately and be on time 2. Repeat the purpose of the interview 3. Set up the recorder, if you are using one 4. Keep the interview on track 5. Listen carefully 6. Don't overstay your welcome

Tips for Doing Research

1. Start early 2. Make a preliminary bibliography 3. Take notes efficiently 4. Think about your materials as you research

Newspaper and periodical database

A research aid that catalogues articles from a large number of magazines, journals, and newspapers

Virtual library

A search engine that combines internet technology with traditional library methods of cataloguing and assessing data

Abstract

A summary of a magazine or journal article, written by someone other than the original author

Reference work

A work that synthesizes a large amount of related information for easy access by researchers

Evaluating Internet Documents

1. Authorship 2. Sponsorship 3. Recency

Five Steps to Take Before the Interview

1. Define the purpose of the interview 2. Decide whom to interview 3. Arrange the interview 4. Decide whether to record the interview 5. Prepare your questions

Steps to Take After the Interview

1. Review your notes as soon as possible 2. Transcribe your notes

Research interview

An interview conducted to gather information for a speech

Sponsoring organization

An organization that, in the absence of a clearly identified author, is responsible for the content of a document on the internet

Major kinds of reference works

Encyclopedias, yearbooks, quotation books, and biographical aids