Thank You Notes

A well-placed note of gratitude will pave the way for future good will and assistance. Researchers rely on the kindness of others, sometimes more than once. Expressing appreciation is part of the authentic data packet because it is a professional courtesy that pays off in the long haul.

How to do it? Begin with an acknowledgement of what the person did that was helpful.

Briefly explain how he/her efforts was a benefit.

THEN say thank you. It is important to lay the foundation of the thanks before you say it --that's why the previous sentences come first.

mentalfloss.comNotice how the Thank you. came at the end....it has more impact.

This one starts by celebrating the party, and the hostess' efforts to make a special event. Again, Thank you. comes after the foundation for the gratitude has been established. Learn this skill, ply it often, and life will be smoother!

Google Trends

Google provides statistical information to Google Docs customers (Cloud users, you!). By entering a keyword into the Google Trend search box, the number of searches are compared to a peak number (100) over time. Over a long time period, there can be a pattern to the general public interests. Entering several keywords gets a multiple-line graph so those terms can be compared.

Using this information can inspire new questions about a project. For example, below I have a chart showing the pattern erupting over time for searches involving various fruits: fresh figs, fig preserves, fig bread, and fig pudding.
Notice what happens when I use fig jelly, fig bread, fig pudding:

This pattern makes me ask "What happened between June and July 2008 that suddenly made fig jelly so popular?" Remember, these are results generated from Google from the search made through them....Googling something. the keywords someone used to search a topic can easily change results since a search engine operates on two truths -- it only gives what it has, and gives what it thinks the searcher wants. 

For example, in this one I search fruits: figs, apples, dates, and lemons. Look what happened:

We know Americans do not care two figs for dates, certainly not this level. If I had to bet I'd say Google interpreted 'dates' to mean 'dating' and not the oval Mediterranean fruit.

Surveys

Surveys are a common way to generate authentic data. By giving a list of questions to a group of people, enough answers can be put together to recognize trends. Objectivity is the priority since genuine answers will lead to genuine results. Asking 'leading questions', where a person is led toward an answer will leave the surveyor with uncertain results: are the patterns being notice true? or were they the opinions of the person building the survey?

Broad considerations

Introduction should be neutral and include several pieces -- statement of what the survey is and what it is supposed to do; a statement about the anonymous nature of the survey; directions for answering the survey; what to do when completed; a thank you for participating statement

This is a survey about figs investigating how figs are viewed in rural Frederick County. All the answers will be combined to achieve a broad understanding about this fruit in an area known for apples. Your answers will be anonymous. Please answer the questions as directed. When complete, click submit. Thank you for participating in this survey about figs.

Questions should reflect what is sought; ordered to be easy at first, get harder (more thoughtful), then easy at the end; avoid charged or leading words/phrases

A neutral question: What experience have you had with figs?

A charged/leading question: When have you eaten seedy figs?

See how the first one asks for information whereas the second one us suggesting figs are seedy and therefore not tasty?

The end of the survey generally has demographic questions about age, gender, etc.

Authentic Data

Authentic Data is the line where a retrieval project becomes research. Authentic data proves, disproves, or adds to existing knowledge about a topic and can take the shape of surveys, interviews, and/or experiments. All involve questions...lots of questions. Sometimes, one really good question can do it all!

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