Week 4 - Projects Researching, Critiquing, Presenting and Report Writing Skills
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Projects Part 1: Two Types of Research Part 2: Doing the Secondary Research Part 3: Doing the Primary Research Part 4: Preparing Critiques Part 5: Writing the Research Report Part 6: Doing Oral Presentations 2
Projects
Part 1: Two Types of Research
Secondary Research
Primary Research
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PART 1: Two Types of Research Primary and Secondary Research
Secondary Research
Primary Research
Information that you can find easily from various sources:
Information that you need to create on your own:
Newspapers, the internet, books, magazines, etc
Surveys, Focus Groups, Observations, Interviews, Creating Case Studies, etc
Which type of research do you do first? Secondary Research 4
Projects
Part 2: Secondary Research
Types of secondary research materials
Keyword searches
Time management
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Part 2: Secondary Research
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Part 2: Secondary Research STATISTICS Statistics Singapore: http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/latestdata.html Statistics UK:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/hub/index.html
Statistics US:
http://www.fedstats.gov/
Statistics China: http://www.stats.gov.cn/enGliSH/ Statistics India: http://www.indiastat.com/default.aspx / http://mospi.gov.in/ Statistics Viet Nam: http://www.gso.gov.vn ASEAN Statistics and Reports: http://www.aseansec.org/4913.htm 7
Part 2: Secondary Research NEWSPAPERS
BBC CNN Channel News Asia Straits Times Interactive Business Times
For a listing of many other newspapers from around the world: http://www.onlinenewspapers.com 8
Part 2: Secondary Research SEARCH ENGINES
Google Yahoo Bing
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Part 2: Secondary Research Research QUESTION: 2. What has the local government done to keep the internet safe?
Did you type in smart keywords Did you give specific details to be searched?
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Part 2: Secondary Research Research QUESTION: 2. What has the local government done to keep the internet safe?
Choose the right keywords
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Part 2: Secondary Research How much time should you spend on your project? Researching for information
Report Writing and Editing
Oral Presentation
50 %
30 %
20 %
SO‌......... Spend most time on research to get good, complete, interesting facts You can then prepare to write a good report And prepare for a confident presentation 12
Part 2: Secondary Research
EXERCISE: You are the Marketing Manager of Raffles Education. You need to write a short report to a potential investor. The investor must be given information on Raffles Education Corp so that he will be interested to invest more money. Do the secondary research to help prepare you for this short report. The report should be 1 page long.
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Projects
Part 3: Primary Research
Types of primary research methods
Exercises
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Part 3: Primary Research Primary Research Surveys Interviews / Focus Groups Observations
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Part 3: Primary Research Surveys
Surveys are also called Questionnaires
4 types of questions
Verbal or open unstructured question List Category Structured questions Ranking
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Part 3: Primary Research Surveys 1.
Verbal or open Expected responses word, phrase, extended comment Useful answers, but problematic analysis
2.
List Choose responses from a list Eg: Select the qualifications you have High School Certificate Diploma Bachelor’s Degree Master’s Degree
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Part 3: Primary Research Surveys 3.
4.
Category One response expected Eg: age categories 15 – 19 20 – 24
25 - 29
Ranking Place responses in a rank order Eg: Which facilities do you consider to be most important to have in a university? High-speed internet 1 Be clear with questions. 2 Well-stocked library Rank how? 4 Computer labs 3 Recreation room 5 Restaurants 18
Part 3: Primary Research Surveys
Online surveys: 3. Free Online Survey : http://www.freeonlinesurveys.com/ 5. Survey Monkey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/
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Part 3: Primary Research Surveys Think about: 3. What your research objectives are 5. How can your questions help you answer your research objectives? 7. Ask generic questions: age, occupation, gender, income, as a guideline 9. Ask questions beginning with Who, When, Why, What, Where, How 11.Have a method to collect and cross-reference the data • Microsoft Excel
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Part 3: Primary Research Interviews / Focus Groups Centered Gives Time
around a topic
a wealth of valuable data
consuming to analyse
Hard
to control Respondent may react with bias Interviewer may react with bias 21
Part 3: Primary Research Interviews / Focus Groups
Interview Format Checklist of questions and responses (structured) Record conversation and record transcript (unstructured / semi-structured) Eg:
Focus Groups/Market Research (Dodge Cars) – Focus Group (Salad Dressing) – Focus Group (MTV) - Ethnography Eg:
Interview (Steve Jobs) – IPhone 2.0
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Part 3: Primary Research Interviews / Focus Groups Think about: 3. What your research objectives are 5. Prepare a list of questions to ask 7. Have a method to collect the information / answers given • A table • A list • A video / audio recording
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Part 3: Primary Research Observations
2 types Participant and Non-Participant
Participant Become immersed in an environment or situation to fully understand what is happening Time-consuming Unstructured no preconceived ideas, checklists or charts Observe events, situations, behaviour Record all observations immediately (diary) 24
Part 3: Primary Research Observations
Non-Participant Observe the surroundings and activities Not an active participant Eg: Mystery shopping (Burger King) (Mystery Shopping - Supermarket)
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Part 3: Primary Research Think about: 3. Exactly what you want to observe. Examples: • Age • Gender • Payment methods – cash or credit card • Type of clothing worn • Type of hairstyle • Shopping pattern 4. Have a method to collect the information / answers given • A table • A list Age
15 – 20 = 10
Gender
Female = 10 26
Part 3: Primary Research EXERCISE 1A Conduct short interviews with 3 students from this school, all of whom should be of different nationalities.
Topic: Quality of service and facilities on campus Choose structured, semi-structured or unstructured interviews Write a summary of the interview
EXERCISE 1B Conduct interviews with 3 foreigners, of 3 different nationalities.
Topic: Life in Singapore – a culture shock Choose structured, semi-structured or unstructured interviews Write a summary of the interview 27
Part 3: Primary Research EXERCISE 2A Conduct surveys with 3 students from this school, all of whom should be of different nationalities.
Topic: Quality of service and facilities on campus There should be at least 5 questions The survey should be done online Write a summary of the interview
EXERCISE 2B Conduct surveys with 3 foreigners, of 3 different nationalities.
Topic: Life in Singapore – a culture shock There should be at least 5 questions The survey should be done online Write a summary of the interview
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Part 3: Primary Research EXERCISE 3 Observe shoppers in a departmental store (Robinsons, Takashimaya, John Little, Metro, BHG, Isetan) AND Observe shoppers in a street market (Bugis Street, Little India, Chinatown, for example)
What are the differences in the demographics and psychographics of the buyers / shoppers?
What are the differences in buying patterns?
Prepare a checklist of things you will observe for the purpose of this research
Write a summary of your observations
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Part 3: Primary Research Demographics
Age Gender Income Level Race / Ethnicity
Psychographics
Personality Values Attitudes Interests Lifestyles
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Projects
Part 4: Preparing Critiques
What is a critique
What can be critiqued
Steps in critiquing
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Part 4: Preparing Critiques
What is a Critique? An article, essay or report criticising or reviewing
An article A book / movie Company decisions An event
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Part 4: Preparing Critiques Step 1: Find an event http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/apps/event.html Step 2: Give the background of the event: what is the event purpose of the event is it the first time, or is this a yearly event? Step 3: Select a few areas to critique: Venue selection Theme Crowd control Lighting suitability of event for the people who have attended Clothes Content Hosts Guests / guest speakers Interactivity Level of fun / interest etc
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Part 4: Preparing Critiques Step 4: For every area that you critique, you must show three points (minimum): Example: Venue Selection The venue of this event was at the Gallery Theatre in the Singapore National Museum. The Gallery Theatre is able to accommodate 50 seats. Negative: It is a popular event that is held every year since 1995. It is a crowd-pulling event and the location is too small to fit a large number of people. Positive: The event was held at the very beautiful Gallery Theatre where the size of the audience can be controlled. Children were not allowed into the Theatre in order to keep the noise level low. Comment: The choice of venue can be improved. A larger space like the Esplanade should have been chosen in order to fit in a larger loyal audience. Alternatively, more shows should have been planned to allow more people to be entertained. 34
Part 4: Preparing Critiques
Step 5: Conclusion: Conclude the critique with an overall view of the event, and give final recommendations.
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Part 4: Preparing Critiques Exercise: Critique this school. You should follow the following steps:
Background of the school
Points to be critiqued (think of minimum 5 different points to critique)
Conclusion and Recommendations
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Projects
Part 5: Writing the Research Report Step 1: Developing the structure Step 2: Using good writing styles Step 3: Citing references Step 4: Creating the reference list 37
STEP 1: Developing the structure Structure of Reports: 3. Executive Summary / Abstract 5. Background / Introduction 7. Body: Secondary Research 8. Body: Primary Research 10.Conclusion 12.Reference List 14.Appendices
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STEP 1: Developing the structure Structure of Reports: 3. Executive Summary / Abstract • •
This is shown first, but you should do this LAST. Choose either Executive Summary or Abstract.
The difference: Executive Summary – 1 page summary of all content in your report (more persuasive, giving end conclusions). Abstract – 1 paragraph overview or preview of the content of your report (more informative).
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STEP 1: Developing the structure Structure of Reports: 2. Background / Introduction • Gives the background of your research topic. •
What is your topic?
•
What is it about?
•
Why is it so interesting? / Why is it an important topic?
3. Secondary Research / Literature Review • Summarise the secondary research that you have got. Link this to your objectives. •
Explain how this information has allowed you to get the answer to your objective(s). 40
STEP 1: Developing the structure Structure of Reports: 4. Primary Research • What primary research have you done? •
Show the questions and the responses (table / list, etc)
•
Summarise the information in words – a table or graph is not enough.
5. Conclusion • From all the research you have done, what have you found out? •
What was interesting that you did not expect?
•
What was surprising / shocking?
•
Were you able to get answers to all of your research objectives? 41
STEP 1: Developing the structure Structure of Reports: 6. Reference List • Harvard Style Referencing. •
In-text citation must also be done.
7. Appendices • This is an optional section. •
You can choose to either have your graphs / tables / diagrams in the appendices, or in the body of your report.
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STEP 2: Using good writing styles 1. Use signpost words Therefore, In contrast, For instance, For example, It has been found, It is interesting to see, It is safe to say, etc
2. Write complete paragraphs Each paragraph should ideally contain: 1. 1 – 2 opening sentences on the idea you have. 2. 1 – 2 sentences giving facts, or details 3. 1 – 2 sentences to end the paragraph regarding your idea, if your o is not the same as the facts or details you have It is important to allow freedom of press in this country. However, reports by research company ABC have established that 90% of the 25 different newspapers available here have to undergo governmental censorship. In other parts of Asia, ABC found that more than 60% of the printed media are allowed freedom of press (ABC, 2008). It is clear that more needs to be done to allow the general public to express their views more openly. A fear of the government may be one of the reasons why people do not speak up more. 43
STEP 3: Citing references Referencing must be done in two parts:
In-text referencing (also called Citation) Reference List (at the back of the report)
DO NOT take whole paragraphs or chunks of information and paste it in your report. Take only 1 – 2 sentences from a particular chapter or article. Everything else – your own ideas, thoughts and words.
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STEP 3: Citing references When taking sentences from articles or books, a good way to incorporate (put it in) your report:
According to the BBC, men are smarter than women (BBC, 2008).
Men are smarter than women, says John Smith of the BBC (Smith, 2008).
It has been found that men are smarter than women, (BBC, 2008) or (Smith, 2008). 45
STEP 3: Citing references Research and Reference (Example) {in the report - Citation}
An interesting new research has shown that men are actually more intelligent than women (Clerkin and MacRae, 2006) {on the last page of report – Reference List}
Clerkin, B., MacRae, F. ‘Men are more intelligent than women, claims new study’, MailOnline, 14 September 2006 Accessed 1st October 2008 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-405056/Men-intelligent-
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STEP 3: Citing references Research and Reference (Example) {on the last page of report – Reference List} Clerkin, B., MacRae, F. ‘Men are more intelligent than women, claims new study’, MailOnline,
Surname, Initial, ‘Title’, Newspaper Name
14 September 2006, Accessed 1st October 2008 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-405056/Men-intelligent-women-claims-new-stud
Date, Accessed date, url 47
STEP 3: Citing references Research and Reference (Example) {in the report - Citation}
An interesting new research has shown that men are actually more intelligent than women (MailOnline, n.d) {on the last page of report – Reference List}
‘Men are more intelligent than women, claims new study’, MailOnline, n.d. Accessed 1st October 2008 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-405056/Men-intellig
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STEP 3: Citing references
Research and Reference (Example)
{on the last page of report – Reference List} ‘Men are more intelligent than women, claims new study’, MailOnline, n.d. Accessed 1st October 2008 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-405056/Men-intelligent-
n.d (if no date given for the article) Start with article title if there are no writer names
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STEP 4: Creating the reference list
The reference list must follow the Harvard Referencing System The list of references must be in alphabetical order (A – B – C ..)
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Projects
Part 6: Doing Oral Presentations Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint slides Point 2: Preparation for Presentations Point 3: Body Language
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Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides
Make your 1st or 2nd slide an outline of your presentation Ex:
previous slide
Follow the order of your outline for the rest of the presentation
Only place main points on the outline slide Ex:
Use the titles of each slide as main points
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Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Slide Structure – Good
Use 1-2 slides per minute of your presentation
Write in point form, not complete sentences
Include 4-5 points per slide
Avoid wordiness: use key words and phrases only 53
Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Slide Structure - Bad ď Ž
This page contains too many words for a presentation slide. It is not written in point form, making it difficult both for your audience to read and for you to present each point. Although there are exactly the same number of points on this slide as the previous slide, it looks much more complicated. In short, your audience will spend too much time trying to read this paragraph instead of listening to you. 54
Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Slide Structure – Good
Show one point at a time: Will help audience concentrate on what you are
saying
Will prevent audience from reading ahead
Will help you keep your presentation focused
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Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Slide Structure - Bad
Do not use distracting animation
Do not go overboard with the animation
Be consistent with the animation that you use
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Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Fonts - Good
Use at least an 18-point font
Use different size fonts for main points and secondary points this font is 24-point, the main point font is 28-point, and the title font is 36-point
Use a standard font like Times New Roman or Arial
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Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Fonts - Bad
If you use a small font, your audience won’t be able to read what you have written
CAPITALIZE ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. IT IS DIFFICULT TO READ
Don’t use a complicated font
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Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Colour - Good
Use a colour of font that contrasts sharply with the background Ex: blue font on white background
Use colour to reinforce the logic of your structure Ex: light blue title and dark blue text
Use colour to emphasize a point But only use this occasionally 59
Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Colour - Bad
Using a font colour that does not contrast with the background colour is hard to read
Using colour for decoration is distracting and annoying.
Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary Using a different colour for secondary points is also unnecessary
Trying to be creative can also be bad 60
Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Background - Good
Use backgrounds such as this one that are attractive but simple
Use backgrounds which are light
Use the same background consistently throughout your presentation
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Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides
Background – Bad
Avoid backgrounds that are distracting or difficult to read from Always be consistent with the background that you use
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Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Graphs - Good
Use graphs rather than just charts and words Data in graphs is easier to comprehend & retain than is raw data Trends are easier to visualize in graph form
Always title your graphs
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Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Graphs - Bad
January February Blue Balls 20.4 27.4 Red Balls 30.6 38.6
March 90 34.6
April 20.4 31.6
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Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Graphs - Good Items Sold in First Quarter of 2002 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30
Blue Balls Red Balls
20 10 0 January
February
March
April
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Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Graphs - Bad 100 90
90
80
70
60 Blue Balls
50
Red Balls 38.6
40
34.6 31.6
30.6 27.4
30 20.4
20.4
20
10
0 January
February
March
April
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Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Spelling and Grammar
Proof your slides for: speling mistakes the use of of repeated words grammatical errors you might have make
If English is not your first language, please have someone else check your presentation!
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Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Conclusion
Use an effective and strong closing Your audience is likely to remember your last words
Use a conclusion slide to: Summarize the main points of your presentation Suggest future avenues of research
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Point 1: Quality of PowerPoint Slides Questions??
End your presentation with a simple question slide to: Invite your audience to ask questions Provide a visual aid during question period Avoid ending a presentation abruptly
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Point 2: Preparation for Presentations
The top ten “bloopers” of presentations: Distracting mannerisms (verbal and/or physical) Poor intonation, volume or rate Not being prepared Not connecting with the audience Poor visual aids Poor structure or fragmented speech Not practicing and managing time Lack of eye contact Reading the presentation Inappropriate humour 70
Point 3: Body Language
Use up nervous energy – before the presentation push on the arms of a chair for a few seconds and then relax, or clench your fists, then relax. Repeat a few times
Actions during the introduction – smile and keep eye contact with the audience, and do something requiring movement but do not take more than two steps towards your audience as you will appear uneasy and unsure
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Point 3: Body Language
Actions during the remainder of the presentation – most people become more comfortable once they start presenting, speak loudly, pay attention to articulation and use gestures
Watch your audience’s eyes, postures and facial expressions to see whether they understand you
Use gestures naturally to emphasise your points 72
Point 3: Body Language Gesture Inhibiting Stances Stance
Characteristic
The Bear Hug
Arms across your chest
Ten-Hut!
Arms stiff, firmly nailed to the pelvis
The Flesh Wound
One arm hangs, the other acts as a tourniquet
Parade Rest
Legs slightly spread, hands behind back
The Choir Person
Hands clasped at waist, fingers entwined
Supplicant
Same as above but at chest level
The Fig Leaf
Demurely crossed hands
Sisters of Mercy
Hands in praying position
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Point 3: Body Language Gesture Enhancing Stances
Open up your arms – to embrace your audience between your waist and shoulders
Drop your arms – to your side when not in use
Avoid – quick and jerky movements
Vary gestures – switch from hand to hand and at other times use both 74
Point 3: Body Language Conclusion
Becoming an effective speaker requires work
You must develop speaking skills and refine them through practice
Take advantage of opportunities to speak
Apply the adage “practice makes perfect”
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