Collecting Information to Compose Messages

Before beginning to compose a successful business message, you need to collect necessary information by conducting informal or formal research. Often the information you collect during the research process helps shape your message.

1. Which questions should you ask yourself in order to avoid frustration and inaccurate messages? Choose all that apply.

a. What will happen if the receiver does not take action?

b. What does the receiver need to know about this topic?

c. Should I begin research at the library?

d. How should the sender contact the receiver?

e. What action should the receiver take?

Long reports and complex business problems often require formal research methods.

Consider the following scenario and identify which formal research method would be appropriate.

2. George has been asked to prepare a presentation documenting customer reaction to his companys recently released hand-held GPS device. He needs to know what customers think.

a. Conduct primary research for firsthand information.

b. Access traditional sources and electronic sources.

c. Conduct a scientific experiment.

Routine tasks often require informal research methods.

Identify which informal research technique would be most appropriate for each situation.

3. During your first day on the job, you are asked to respond to a customer inquiry regarding an extended warranty. The best informal information gathering technique for this situation would be to:

a. Conduct a scientific experiment

b. Check company files

c. Brainstorm

Determine which research method is being used in the following scenario.

4. Latasha knows very little about the migratory habits of the flamingo, but she is told to give an extensive report about them to a panel of ornithologists. In order to prepare, she spends three days in the library reviewing magazines and journal articles, searching academic databases, and identifying primary sources.

a. Formal research

b. Informal research

Read the following scenario, and determine which is the best research approach.

While working for an international development agency, you must develop a presentation about primary and secondary education in the Middle East, a topic you are not familiar with.

5. Which is the best research approach?

a. Formal. On the Internet, find statistics gathered by the United Nations showing the dropout rates of students by gender and age. Request that certain reports be sent to you, so you can examine the data yourself.

b. Informal. To get a local perspective on Middle Eastern affairs, write an e-mail to a professor there.

c. Informal. To get a local perspective on Middle Eastern affairs, conduct a phone survey of people who live in the area.