The document provides tips for establishing credible sources to support a speech. It outlines six options for conducting research: 1) using existing personal resources, 2) searching the internet, 3) visiting the library, 4) interviewing people, 5) using surveys, and 6) conducting focus groups. For each option, it offers guidance on identifying reliable sources and collecting useful information to enhance a topic. The document stresses maintaining organization of research and properly citing sources within the speech content.

1. Building Credibility forBuilding Credibility for
Your SpeechYour Speech
Module #10Module #10

2. Establishing NecessaryEstablishing Necessary
ResourcesResources
 Option 1:Option 1: Establish your ownEstablish your own
knowledge base and personalknowledge base and personal
resources.resources.
 Before seeking outside sources forBefore seeking outside sources for
your speech, determine your existingyour speech, determine your existing
knowledge base.knowledge base.
 Determine people that would beDetermine people that would be
easily accessible to you.easily accessible to you.
 Review your existing periodicals,Review your existing periodicals,
books, and other current writtenbooks, and other current written
collateral that could enhance yourcollateral that could enhance your
topic.topic.

3. Option #2: Visit the InternetOption #2: Visit the Internet
Here is how the internet can help yourHere is how the internet can help your
research mission:research mission:
 Use the internet to review onlineUse the internet to review online
library indexes and to determinelibrary indexes and to determine
library holdings.library holdings.
 Use the internet to locate credibleUse the internet to locate credible
articles that can be accessed in thisarticles that can be accessed in this
manner.manner.
 Use the internet to locate informationUse the internet to locate information
from credible websites.from credible websites.

4. Option #2: Visit the InternetOption #2: Visit the Internet
Here are questions you can ask yourself whenHere are questions you can ask yourself when
evaluating internet site credibility?evaluating internet site credibility?
 Is the page address prefaced by an internetIs the page address prefaced by an internet
provider, such as “members.aol” orprovider, such as “members.aol” or
“geocities”?“geocities”?
 Does the page have a current date?Does the page have a current date?
 What is the credibility of the author(s) of theWhat is the credibility of the author(s) of the
material?material?
 Does the extension represent a governmentDoes the extension represent a government
agency (.gov)? Educational facility (.edu)?agency (.gov)? Educational facility (.edu)?
Business (.com)? Organization (.org)?Business (.com)? Organization (.org)?
 Can the information be found on severalCan the information be found on several
similar websites?similar websites?
 How objective or biased is the material?How objective or biased is the material?
Remember,Remember, anyoneanyone can place anycan place any
information on the web.information on the web.

5. Option #3: Visit the LibraryOption #3: Visit the Library
Your best resource at the library is the librarian. AskYour best resource at the library is the librarian. Ask
any questions regarding availability of materialsany questions regarding availability of materials
or even how to find research to support youror even how to find research to support your
topic.topic.
 Search electronic Databases, indexes, andSearch electronic Databases, indexes, and
abstracts to narrow your search.abstracts to narrow your search.
 Books, fiction and non-fiction, includingBooks, fiction and non-fiction, including
biographies, case studies, self-help and otherbiographies, case studies, self-help and other
topical subjects.topical subjects.
 Magazines or journals, popular culture,Magazines or journals, popular culture,
academic, etc.academic, etc.
 Reference material, such as encyclopedias,Reference material, such as encyclopedias,
dictionaries, almanacs, atlases, handbooks,dictionaries, almanacs, atlases, handbooks,
manuals, yearbooks.manuals, yearbooks.
 Government publications.Government publications.
 Multimedia, such as videotaped or audiotapedMultimedia, such as videotaped or audiotaped
documentaries and biographies.documentaries and biographies.

6. Option #3: Visit the LibraryOption #3: Visit the Library
 How old is the source of the information? CouldHow old is the source of the information? Could
the information be updated in another medium?the information be updated in another medium?
 What is the credibility of the author(s) of theWhat is the credibility of the author(s) of the
information?information?
 What is the name of the publisher? Is theWhat is the name of the publisher? Is the
publisher a recognized publisher or a vanitypublisher a recognized publisher or a vanity
press, which could indicate self-publishing.press, which could indicate self-publishing.
 What is the volume or edition of the journal,What is the volume or edition of the journal,
periodical or book?periodical or book?
 Does an informational pamphlet, such as aDoes an informational pamphlet, such as a
government or organizational document, havegovernment or organizational document, have
an author? Or should it be cited with the namean author? Or should it be cited with the name
of the organization?of the organization?
 Is the book an edited text with various authorsIs the book an edited text with various authors
writing individual chapters?writing individual chapters?
 Does the information remain consistent whenDoes the information remain consistent when
reviewed in other sources?reviewed in other sources?

7. Option #4: Interview PeopleOption #4: Interview People
 You can interview people you knowYou can interview people you know
well or acquaintances.well or acquaintances.
 You can gain testimony fromYou can gain testimony from
experts or eyewitnesses.experts or eyewitnesses.
 Educators are always a strongEducators are always a strong
resource.resource.
 Find representatives ofFind representatives of
organizations.organizations.
 Be creative—anyone from a storeBe creative—anyone from a store
employee to a member of a listservemployee to a member of a listserv
can be very helpful.can be very helpful.

8. Option #4: How to InterviewOption #4: How to Interview
 Always do preparatory work to find out the correctAlways do preparatory work to find out the correct
name and credentials of the person.name and credentials of the person.
 Determine specific questions you will ask. AvoidDetermine specific questions you will ask. Avoid
vagueness and avoid questions that could bevagueness and avoid questions that could be
answered via other sources.answered via other sources.
 Be considerate of your interviewee’s time.Be considerate of your interviewee’s time.
 Mention your reason for the interview and howMention your reason for the interview and how
you will use the information.you will use the information.
 If you wish to use a tape recorder, ask yourIf you wish to use a tape recorder, ask your
interviewee if they are comfortable.interviewee if they are comfortable.
 If you are uncertain about something that hasIf you are uncertain about something that has
been said, ask for clarification.been said, ask for clarification.
 If your interviewee tells you something “off theIf your interviewee tells you something “off the
record,” respect that sentiment and keep it thatrecord,” respect that sentiment and keep it that
way.way.
 Send a note of thanks to your interviewee forSend a note of thanks to your interviewee for
taking the time to meet with you.taking the time to meet with you.

9. Option #5: Use a SurveyOption #5: Use a Survey
 You can survey a group of people toYou can survey a group of people to
gain any type of information that wouldgain any type of information that would
be useful in your research.be useful in your research.
 For example, if you are talking aboutFor example, if you are talking about
customer service with a computer helpcustomer service with a computer help
desk personnel, a survey may helpdesk personnel, a survey may help
determine their perspectives ondetermine their perspectives on
customer service and issues that theycustomer service and issues that they
perceive in their workplace.perceive in their workplace.
 You can also survey people toYou can also survey people to
determine consensus or agreement ondetermine consensus or agreement on
topics.topics.
 Surveys are helpful to determineSurveys are helpful to determine
demographic information.demographic information.

10. Option #5: Use a SurveyOption #5: Use a Survey
 Surveys should be short, no more than twoSurveys should be short, no more than two
pages.pages.
 Those responding to the survey should beThose responding to the survey should be
told how long the survey will take.told how long the survey will take.
 Survey items should be written without biasSurvey items should be written without bias
so as not to sway the respondent.so as not to sway the respondent.
 Always leave space so respondents can addAlways leave space so respondents can add
additional ideas that may not have beenadditional ideas that may not have been
considered.considered.
 Respondents should be told how the materialRespondents should be told how the material
will be used.will be used.
 Determine in advance if respondents willDetermine in advance if respondents will
receive a copy of your results.receive a copy of your results.
 Do not use results from incomplete surveys.Do not use results from incomplete surveys.
 Do not use results from surveys that are moreDo not use results from surveys that are more
than three years’ old.than three years’ old.
 Always be honest when reporting.Always be honest when reporting.

11. Option #6: Conduct a FocusOption #6: Conduct a Focus
GroupGroup
 Focus groups are helpful in gatheringFocus groups are helpful in gathering
opinions and reviewing open discussionopinions and reviewing open discussion
about a particular subject.about a particular subject.
 Determine exactly what you wish to learnDetermine exactly what you wish to learn
from your group.from your group.
 Decide how many people you will needDecide how many people you will need
and where people should come from.and where people should come from.
 Decide on a location.Decide on a location.
 Create a clear agenda and list ofCreate a clear agenda and list of
questions.questions.
 Ensure that the leader of the focus groupEnsure that the leader of the focus group
keeps the meeting on track.keeps the meeting on track.
 Determine a note-taking system, eitherDetermine a note-taking system, either
via tape recorder or writing.via tape recorder or writing.
 Allow each person to express thoughts.Allow each person to express thoughts.

12. Final Research TipsFinal Research Tips
 Maintain good organization ofMaintain good organization of
information gathered.information gathered.
 Be certain to include information inBe certain to include information in
your content where it is cited.your content where it is cited.
 Acquire more research than you willAcquire more research than you will
actually need.actually need.
 Discard research that is ineffectiveDiscard research that is ineffective
to your content.to your content.