WP#3: Conducting Field Research for Longer Referential Papers

1. WP#3: Conducting Field Research for Longer Referential Papers Observations Survey Questionnaires Interviews

2. Purpose of FIELD RESEARCH • Supplements traditional library research • Adds authenticity to the research project • Takes the student beyond the classroom • Requires planning and preparation • Leads to interesting resources

3. Let’s start with OBSERVATIONS

4. Planning the visit Gain access Announce intentions Take tools: notebook, pen, tape recorder, camera Conducting the visit Observe Take notes Reflect Write up notes OBSERVATIONS

5. Next we’ll consider INTERVIEWS

6. Who to interview? PLANNING STEPS Choose person Schedule interview Compose questions INTERVIEWS

7. Bad INTERVIEW Questions • Forced Choice Questions “Don’t you agree that … ?” Creates a dead end to the conversation • Leading Questions Assumes too much (agreement, knowledge, etc.)

8. Good INTERVIEW Questions There are two types: • OPEN QUESTIONS • CLOSED QUESTIONS

9. Open Questions • Give the respondent range & flexibility • Generate anecdotes • Generate personal revelations • Allow expressions of attitude Example: “Tell me about a time when you ….” or “What did you think of …?”

10. Closed Questions • Request specific information Examples • “How do you do (name a process)?” • “What does (name a word) mean?” • “How was it made?”

11. Conducting the INTERVIEW • Take tools (travel directions, notebook, pen/pencil, tape recorder -- only with permission though) • Arrive on time • Take notes • Reflect on notes • Write up notes • Be mindful of the person’s time

12. Now let’s move on to SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES

13. SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES Focus your study • What do you need to study? • What information or opinions do you wish to gain from the study?

14. Write your questionnaire • Use 7-15 questions • Gather demographic info first • Combine CLOSED with OPEN questions • Use a variety of types of closed questions

15. Types of CLOSED Questions • Checklists • 2-Way questions (yes-no) • Multiple choice • Ranking scales

16. Type up the Questionnaire • Start with a centered title at the top of the page • Have introductory paragraph explaining purpose for questionnaire • List the name or names (first and last) of all author(s) on survey form Continued on next page

17. Type up the Questionnaire • Give directions for how to fill out the survey form • Photocopy the survey questionnaire (make more copies than you will distribute) • Distribute questionnaires to appropriate number of your target audience

18. The Last Step with Q-aires Tally questionnaires (use a blank survey form for the tallies)

19. A final word of advice ... • All three types of field research are appropriate methods of gathering source information for your research paper. Nevertheless, the methods should NOT supplant traditional library research; instead, they should supplement your library resources.

20. The endPhotograph of the Main-Line Five used by permission of Ruth M. Wynne