Gather secondary data by reading what others have experienced and observed. You should begin nearly every research project by researching secondary sources to gather information that has already been written about your topic.

How is an index used when conducting research?

As a resource for identifying useful blogs

To locate references, abstracts$,$ and articles from variety of sources.

As a comprehensive list of contact information for major authors

A database is that is digitally searchable.

What problems might you encounter when using the Web for research? Check all that apply.

Lack of current news

Undocumented sources

Time$-$consuming searches

Unreliable content

Lack of search tools

What types of research can blogs, wikis, and online sources be used for?

Secondary and primary research

None

Only informal research

You can gather primary data from firsthand experience by using surveys, interviews, observation, or experimentation. You will need primary data to provide a complete picture. Familiarize yourself with methods for generating and using primary data, and decide what you will do to avoid researcher bias.

Read each scenario, and answer the question that follows it$.$

It is your team$$s job to write a report on the best ways to gather information from consumers. As you are meeting with your team to brainstorm data collection strategies, one coworker asks how the team could put together a successful survey.

What are tips can you share with the group? Check all that apply.

Limit the number of questions.

Ask as many questions as possible.

Select the survey population randomly.

Select the survey population carefully.

Explain why the survey is necessary.

You are asked to write a report on a topic for which little or no information is available. You decide to conduct interviews with several experts or veterans in the field.

How should you conclude the interview?

Express your appreciation, and ask for permission to telephone later to verify points.

Inform the interviewee that you will be calling him or her later to verify points.

Ask a lot of open$-$ended questions in the last five minutes.

Crystal is writing a report for her company on interaction and communication between employees and customers. She decides to observe the company$$s telemarketers as they sell a new line of tires. She is hoping to acquire qualitative examples that will enrich the data she has already gathered. She sits and watches the telemarketers for an hour and then leaves.

What could she have done to make her observations more complete and accurate?

She could have listened carefully but avoided taking notes.

She could have taken notes on events, actions, and settings.

She could have instructed the telemarketers on how to respond to calls.