D#2 HW#4

4) How do research processes compare?

*Why did you conduct this research? If you were given instructions, what were they?
-Academic: The reason for conducting my research was for my previous English 101 course. The instructions were to pick a topic, create an opinion on the situation, and use 5 different sources to research the topic.
-Personal: The reason for conducting personal research was for my summer job. I knew I wanted to go to Alaska to fish commercially, but it took lots of research and consideration to finally decide which one to work for.

*What questions did you ask?
-Academic: I asked questions that I believed the audience would want and expect to be answered through the essay.
-Personal: I asked myself questions concerning the location, wage, and living expenses of each location.

*What went right and what went wrong?
-Academic: I found myself asking questions that didn't have optimal material to research and picking new questions.
-Personal: I asked questions to people who were trying to persuade me to come work for them when I should have been questioning past employees.

*What were the outcomes of your research?
-Academic: The outcomes of my research was a 5 page essay and an A.
-Personal: The outcome of my research was the peace of mind that I had considered all of my options and picked the best one for me.

*How would you conduct your research differently if you were to do it again?
-Academic: I would ask better questions to ensure that the questions I'm researching have optimal information.
-Personal: I would ask my questions to variety of audiences, as opposed to the audience trying to persuade me.