While researching, looking for information on the internet is not a good first choice. When one types in key words thousands if not millions of hits good and bad will appear. Spending time looking through credible sources is not an efficient use of time. The first step is deciding whether or not one needs to find a primary source. This is a much more time consuming way to retrieve information but at times can be necessary. If one is allowed to use a secondary source it is a much easier way to conduct research. Considering the expectations of your audience is key in determining which source is to be used.
Using recent and familiar sources of information is key to writing a successful work. If one works familiar with a source that is known to be credible, then that eliminates the issue of finding a credible source. The likely hood of being able to find all the research one needs for a work with a few familiar sources is very rare. So in order to help diminish the vast amount of hits one will get on Google, one needs to use specific terms. The more specific one gets the less and more useful hits will come up.
Only using the internet may seem like the right thing to do but text can be a very beneficial tool. When using text one needs to keep in mind that text can get out of date. There are three main types of text. These include; static, syndicated, and dynamic. Static texts are sources that are published once and never change. Syndicated texts are sources are released every period of time. These include magazines or journals. The last form is dynamic text. Dynamic text is a source that is never published in final for and is constantly being revised. Dynamic are sources that allow people to interact with each other in this case to obtain information. These include but are not limited to Myspace, Facebook, and Wikipedia.
While the previously stated forms of obtaining information are great, primary sources are a much more accurate engaging way to retrieve information. Actually observing a situation is the best way to observe and collect useful information. When using this form of collecting information it is important to keep in mind how one intends to get this information. Some questions one might ask are; "when should can I observe this event?", "Will I realistically learn what I need to know from this event?", or "Does me being here tamper with the credibility of this information I am about to retrieve?". Those are a few of several questions witnesses must take into consideration.
After obtaining this information it is important have thought out way to keep everything organized. Keeping a journal is a great idea. The best way to make sure one does not miss anything is to consider taking a recorder to an event. Having others around to help get a different point of view is another excellent idea. This is referred to as coding. With all this instruction on how obtain useful data people will better learn how to be a more efficient writer.
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