Field ResearchField research is research that you

conduct yourself. It is PRIMARY research, not SECONDARY.

Primary research Original letter Original interview Original

measurement Original survey,

study, document, etc.

Secondary research Reading a book

about another book Reading an article

about a study conducted by others

Reading an article about a historical document, etc.

Ask yourself: is my source an expert?

Remember: It’s all about your reader. DO NOT

misrepresent your sources. If your source is an expert, say so.

If your source is NOT an expert, don’t use your source for factual information. We want to be ethical writers!

EXPERTS Give the writer

credibility Lend power to a

paper Support/prove the

writer’s ideas Help convince a

reader Are a powerful

rhetorical device!

NON-EXPERTS Can be convincing

testimony Help keep the reader

interested Help add “the human

element” Help the imagine

himself/herself in the situation

Are a powerful rhetorical device!

If your source IS an expert:

“As a mechanic for five years and an at-home mechanic for over ten, Ronald Gregory suggests . . .”

“Author of the book Knowing Your Dog, Camille Smith has a few tips for picking a new puppy.”

“Ben Smith knows the worries of small business owners—he’s owned his own business since 1997.”

Example 1:“Most new golfers struggle with putting at first.

A golfer for only 6 months, Megan Kendall describes her first putting experience as ‘annoying and intriguing all at the same time.’”

Example 2: “ A type II diabetic for 15 years, Burt Goldman

knows what it’s like to need medical advice on a regular basis.”

NOTE: Notice that I’m not using Kendall as an expert for facts, but as an interesting anecdote. This is testimony and your reader will understand that Kendall speaks as person who loves to golf, not as a golf expert.

#1: Make sure you really are an expert. I’ve baked cookies many times, but I’m not an expert. A chef or professional cook is an expert.

#2: Tell your reader about your expertise. If you’ve coached softball for 10 years, tell

your reader so your reader understands why you get to give advice. Otherwise, you’ll lack the credibility to persuade.

Should be introduced to the reader

May help you brainstorm or narrow a topic when you get another person’s perspective

Help add interest/color to your essay

EXPERT INTERVIEW

Makes your essay seem credible, trustworthy

Supports the information in your essay

NOT AN EXPERT INTERVIEW

Might be testimony, opinion, ideas, etc.

Can provide color, interest to your ideas

Should NOT be used as fact

Do not misrepresent your source

Can create survey yourself

Must get permission before you interview students at a college

Chat rooms

Web forums

Discussion boards

Ideas or opinions from these places may not be expert opinions. You can still use them, but not as fact.

Use: As an interesting anecdote As a way to brainstorm ideas As opinions, testimony, etc. But NOT as facts

Find a web forum on the topic of your choice. Then, record some of the discussion threads you see. Who is the audience for the forum? How might you use the information you find in an essay?

(for more instructions see the next slides)

To find a web forum, try searching in Google for your “topic, web forum.”

Let me show you how I might find a web forum on the Ford Mustang . . .

Know that you have options beyond books and articles. Field research is just one type of research!