2. Discovering Evidence
Internet
Credibility
Google & Google Scholar
Wikipedia
Informational websites
non-profit and government sites
Twitter
Subscribe to issue & subject matter feeds
credible organizations devoted to the issue/subject
3. Discovering Evidence
Newstands
Credibility
Do they fact-check?
What are they selling?
Who is the Audience?
Time
Newsweek
The Economist
National Geographic
Discover
Scientific American
US News & World Report
5. Discovering Evidence
Interviews
Credibility
Excellent way to quickly learn the “insider’s view”
Requires preparation
Transcribing: 1 hour of tape = 4 hours transcription
6. Discovering Evidence
Interviews
Prepare
Do some reading in your interviewee’s area of expertise
Know Who you are talking to: research them : ]
Don’t expect them to hold your hand ; ]
Know the Purpose of your visit
Make a short list of pithy, open-ended questions
Choose your first question
Choose your last question
And Dress as if you respect your opportunity… : ]
7. Discovering Evidence
Interviews
Arrive 5 minutes early
Review your notes
Greet everyone with confidence—shake hands
Briefly introduce yourself and the purpose of your visit
Turn recorder on, set on desk, ask “do you mind if I record?”
Ask your first question—stating the individual’s name for the tape
Listen to their answer
Make note of “cues” to follow
Don’t ask questions out of idle curiosity
Stay on task
Be respectful—be humble—be bold
8. Discovering Evidence
Interviews
Stay on Task
Follow intriguing cues that relate to your purpose
Keep the interview moving..stay on task
Listen
Notice allusions—research later
Ask your final question—by this time it may be modified
Ask advise for further research:
Who else to talk to?
Facilities to visit?
Important articles to read?
Thank them for their time…get their card
Shake hands
…leave the door open ; ]
9. Discovering Evidence
Surveys
Know your Purpose
Freewrite to focus and clarify your Purpose for the Survey
Write your Statement of Purpose in 8 words or less
Design your Survey
Make a short list of pithy, open-ended questions
Clarify your wording: You will get what you ask for
User test your survey on friends
Refine your wording based on results
Likert scale
A typical Likert Scale progression
Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree nor disagree Agree Strongly agree
10. Discovering Evidence
Polls
Polls are a great way to gather local data
Design your Question(s) Thoughtfully
Yes or No
Take a Broad Sample
Compile your Results
11. Credibility is Everything
Discovering Evidence
Internet
Newstands
Library
Interviews
Surveys & Polls
Guard your Ethos