CM 220 Unit #3 Seminar

Dr. Tina M. Serafini General Education,

CompositionKaplan University

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Seminar Agenda…

• Unit #3 Assignments• Difference between ‘primary and

secondary sources’• Interviewing process• Open-Ended verses Yes/No

Questions• Interviewing Workshop

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Unit #3 Summary of Assignments…

• Reading: Introduction to unit; Qualitative research interviews; Interview Tips; Research Resources

• Invention lab: Reflection on senate hearing videos from Mr. Rogers and Al Gore

•  Seminar: Research, conducting mock interviews, and a discussion of listening skills

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PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES…

What are Primary Sources?

Why does it matter what resources you use when conducting

research?

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What are ‘PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES?’

Primary source:“A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were

present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a

particular event.

Some types of primary sources include: ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (excerpts or translations acceptable): Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records 

• CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, or art  • RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, or buildings “

(What is a primary source, 2009).

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PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES (continued)…

Examples of primary sources, include: • Diary of Anne Frank - Experiences of a Jewish

family during WWII  • The Constitution of Canada - Canadian History  • A journal article reporting NEW research or

findings  • Weavings and pottery - Native American history  • Plato's Republic - Women in Ancient Greece 

(What is a primary source, 2009)

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PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES (continued)…

What are Secondary Sources?

Why & how would use a secondary source when doing research?

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PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES (continued)…

SECONDARY SOURCES:“A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These

sources are one or more steps removed from the event.

Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them.

Some types of secondary sources, include: PUBLICATIONS: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias ” (What is a primary source, 2009)

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PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES (continued)…

EXAMPLES OF SECONDARY SOURCES:• A journal/magazine article which interprets

or reviews previous findings  • A history textbook  • A book about the effects of WWI  (What is a

primary source, 2009).

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INTERVIEWS…

Some questions to ask…

Is an interview a PRIMARY or SECONDARY

source?

What are the benefits of conducting an interview?

Is all interview information useful and reliable?

How do you determine what information is useful

and reliable?

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How to Conduct an Interview…

1. Select interview subject

2. Prepare for interview3. Conduct interview4. Follow-up

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Select Interview Subject…

Ask yourself…Who would be a good source of

information for your subject?How well known is this person? Is this

person an expert on the subject? How do you locate this person? How do you request and schedule an

interview?

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Prepare For The Interview…

Research your intervieweeEstablish a goal or purpose for the

interviewPrepare questions in advancePrioritize the questions

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What Questions Do You Ask?

• Ask yourself: “What do I need to know?”• Write a list of things you want to find out• Write a list of questions that will help your

interviewee discuss this information• Avoid biased questions: “Don’t you think we

could improve campus parking by building another parking garage?”

• Check the questions carefully to see if the wording could be offensive to your interviewee (How to conduct an interview, 2008).

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Yes/N0 verses Open Ended Questions (continues)…

What are Yes/No Questions?

What are Open-Ended Questions?

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Yes/N0 verses Open Ended Questions (continues)…

Yes/no questions can be answered with a simple yes or no. They may not be very productive or illicit much information.

Ask OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS, questions that allow the interviewee to explain, clarify and defend an idea.

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Yes/N0 verses Open Ended Questions (continues)…

• Examples of both…– Yes/no: Will you support the

new tax increase?– Open Ended: How will

increased taxes benefit or hurt local businesses?

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During the Interview…

Be gracious and thank the person for his or her time.

Respect this person’s time by being on time and

prepared.

Pay attention to what the person is saying and use the

opportunity to ask follow-up questions

Take notes or record the interview (with permission)

Stick to the subject, but be flexible.

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Listening Skills…

When you interview or are the subject of an interview, listening is a very important skill.

Look at your interviewee. We learn a lot from a person’s facial expressions, tone, posture, eye contact.

How can YOU show you are listening and paying attention?

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Follow-up After the Interview…

A follow-up thank you note would be appropriate.

Transcribe your notes as quickly as possible after the interview.

Give the interviewee an opportunity to review the notes to be sure they are accurate.

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Your Turn…

Whom would you like to interview and

why?

What questions would you like to ask?

What kind of information would you

like to get from the interview?

How will you arrange the interview?

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Workshop…

• Partner with a classmate.• Prepare questions.• Interview your subject.• Report your findings.

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Unit #4…Upcoming Highlights!

• The Unit #4 seminar will focus on:

– Identifying Reliable Sources– How to use your Sources?– APA Citations when using Resources– Quotes verses Paraphrasing

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Thank you for Thank you for Attending this Attending this

Weeks Seminar!Weeks Seminar!

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