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