Enquiry Skills Enquiry Skills

InvestigatingInvestigating

MethodsMethods ofof EnquiryEnquiry

Method 1: Using a CD-RomMethod 1: Using a CD-Rom

• A CD-Rom is sometimes called an encyclopaedia on CD.

• They include newspapers, Scotsman and Herald.

• CD-Roms provide vast amounts of relevant, topical information on almost every subject.

CD-Rom AdvantagesCD-Rom Advantages

Easy to useie "search options"

Variety of formatse.g multimedia

Huge amount ofinformation on onedisk e.g. one years

Scotsman newspaper

Advantages

CD-Rom DisadvantagesCD-Rom Disadvantages

Cannot beupdated unlessyou subscribe

to a newspaper.

Need access toa computer.

Many designedfor American

market.

They do not workon every type of

computer -compatibilty.

Disadvantages

Method 2: DatabaseMethod 2: Database

• A collection of information about a particular topic e.g. Census, Govt report.

• A system for filing information on a computer.

• Contains a data file, records and fields of information.

Database AdvantagesDatabase Advantages

Can be searchedquickly and accurately

to find "matchinginformation".

Can be easilyupdated.

Huge amountsof information

available.

Advantages

Database DisadvantagesDatabase Disadvantages

Can be timeconsuming.

Need accessto a computer.

Technical failurescan lose information.

Disadvantages

Databases haveto be updated.

Search hasto be precise.

Method 3: InternetMethod 3: Internet• Requires a computer and modem.• Provide access to the World Wide

Web and Email.• Uses a search enquire e.g.

Google, Yahoo to find information.

• An On-line encyclopaedia of virtually unlimited information.

• Means of communicating with people world wide at low cost and high speed.

Internet AdvantagesInternet Advantages

Access to informationon all subjects e.g.elderly, employed.

Sound, picturetext,can bedownloaded.

Fairly cheap - sameas local call.

Can be reached withsearch engine.

Advantages

Internet DisadvantagesInternet Disadvantages

Need access toto a computer.

Contains unsuitablematerial for

young children.

Informationcan be biased.

People can be addicted -

enormousphone bill!

Disadvanages Information can bedifficult to find -

"Searching"

Method 4: InterviewMethod 4: Interview• A conversation between 2

people, either structured or informal.

• Effective way of getting information from an “expert” e.g. Social Worker.

• Questions can be prepared in advance.

• Answers can be recorded.

Interview AdvantagesInterview Advantages

Intervieweeusually an "expert"

in his/her field.

You get directanswers.

Detailedinformation

can be obtained.

You can goover taped

answers later.

Advantages

Interview DisadvantagesInterview Disadvantages

Interviews canbe stressfullso you mustbe prepared.

Interviewee mustbe relaxed too.

Questions mustbe prepared.

Preparation,interview and

recording answerscan be time consuming.

Disadvantages

Method 5: Writing a LetterMethod 5: Writing a Letter

• Written for a specific purpose.• To get information or arrange

a meeting.• Good letters are specific not

general - structured letters.• E.g. Elderly - Social Work

Dept, Employed - Job Centre.

Letter Writing AdvantagesLetter Writing Advantages

Easy to write. Can be doneat school.

Usually get awritten reply.

School headednotepaper

individual formalmethod.

Advantages

Letter Writing Letter Writing DisadvantagesDisadvantages

No guarantee of reply. May not be whatyou're hoping fore.g. irrelevant,complicated.

Takes time tosend and return.

Disadvantages

Method 6: LibraryMethod 6: Library

• Holds information on many formats e.g. video, audio, CD-Rom, Internet, newspaper, magazine, book.

• Found in school, college and local community.

Library AdvantagesLibrary Advantages

Trained staffavailable to help

you find information.

You can ordermaterial from the

library.

Advantages

Library DisadvantagesLibrary Disadvantages

Library rules tobe observed

e.g. noise.

School and locallibraries may have

limited stock.

Remote areasmay have no

library.

Disadvantages Material can onlybe borrowedshort term.

Method 7: SurveyMethod 7: Survey• Set of questions to discover

public opinion e.g. best type of elderly housing.

• Must be a sample with a good cross section of the community e.g. male, female, age.

• May contain open or closed questions.

• 4 stages - write questions, identify sample, record answers and result.

Survey AdvantagesSurvey Advantages

Easy way to getpublic opinion.

Information canbe put into

graph and table.

Advantages

Survey DisadvantagesSurvey Disadvantages

Difficult to get allthe surveysreturned.

Answers may nottruly reflect public

opinion.

Sample sizemust be

meaningful.

Not everyonewill return it.

Disadvantages Some peoplemay not takeit seriously.

Method 8: QuestionnaireMethod 8: Questionnaire

• Questions you make up to ask somebody who knows about your investigation.

Questionnaire AdvantagesQuestionnaire Advantages

Direct answers. Those askedare usually"experts."

Detailedinformation

can be obtained.

Advantages

Questionnaire Questionnaire DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Questions mustbe prepared.

Sample slipmust be

meaningful.

Not everyonewill return it.

Analysiscomplicated.

Disadvantages Preparations,questionnaire andrecording answers

can be time consuming.

Method 9: Using TV & Method 9: Using TV & Video ProgrammesVideo Programmes

• Some programmes are suited to Modern Studies as sources of information e.g.

News Newsnight Question Time

TV & Video Programmes TV & Video Programmes AdvantagesAdvantages

Excellent sourceof up to date

information forModern Studies.

Using a videoallows you tomake notes.

Gives you accessto people, places and

images you wouldnot otherwise see.

"Freeze" picturesfrom video

to PC and use.

Advantages

TV & Video Programmes TV & Video Programmes DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Making notesis time consuming.

Close attention toTV schedule

is needed to "spot"relevant programmes.

Difficult to get accessto TV and videowhen required.

Disadvantages

Method 10: Observations Method 10: Observations on a visiton a visit

• A visit to a particular place e.g. a factory, office, shopping complex, sheltered housing, job centre, MPs surgery.

Observation AdvantagesObservation Advantages

Allows you tosee the placeat firsthand.

Can writeup a detailed

relevant noteson return.

Photographscan be taken.

Advantages

Observation Observation DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Arrangementscan be time consuming.

Expanding notescan take time.

Reluctance by someplaces to grant

visits e.g.shopping complex.

Disadvantages

The EndThe End