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.

Which is the best research approach?

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.

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

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