1、Two methods for collecting information:Interview and surveyDeveloping interview questions and conduct interviewFormat of questionnaires,types of questions and guidelines for designing survey questions.IntroductionIn technical and business writing,you need collect information as evidence to support y
2、our argument or conclusion.You may use the library and search the Internet.However,the information you often need is not in any book or web page,but in the mind of a person or persons.To get new information out of a person or a group of people,you need to conduct an.I.InterviewsAn interview is a con
3、versation in which you elicit facts or statements from a respondent.The interview generally consists of two stages:Developing interview questions Conducting the interview1.Developing Interview QuestionsThe major task for the preparation of an interview is to develop interview questions.You should pl
4、an the specific topics that you want to explore and gather necessary information about the subject:what you already known,what you want to know,and what you expect your respondent to tell you.Interview questions can be divided into two categories:Convergent questions,which have only one correct answ
5、er(Yes or No;Positive or Negative;Right or Wrong)收敛性问题 Divergent questions,which are open ended for freer answers and therefore more useful in problem solving.开放性问题To elicit information you want from your respondent with your questions,you should follow these guidelines.Guidelines for Asking Effecti
6、ve Interview Questions(1)Avoid too broad or general questions.Ask questions that require a focused response.What do you think of authoritys attitudes toward air pollution?(Negative:too broad or too general)What specific strategies work to persuade authorities to take practical measures in dealing wi
7、th air pollution?(Positive:focused on strategies to persuade the authority)(2)Use specific terms to limit the range of response.In what ways has the air been improved?(Negative:no limit to the topic“air”)In what ways has the air quality in chemical industries been improved,specifically in the reduct
8、ion or elimination of sulfur dioxide and ammonia?(Positive:limiting the response to the area and material of pollution)(3)Ask one question at a time;do not combine questions that require multiple answers.Will you please describe the progress that has been made in identifying the harmful components r
9、esponsible for respiratory diseases and in developing processing technology to eliminate these pollutants from the air?(Negative:two long and complex questions asked at the same time)Please describe the progress in identifying the harmful components responsible for respiratory diseases.(Positive:ask
10、ing one question first)What processing technology has been developed to eliminate these pollutants from the air?(Follow up:following it up with the second question)(4)Design questions which require an explanation rather than a simple yes-or-no answer.Are peoples daily lives affected by air pollution
11、?(Negative:a convergent question)In what ways are peoples daily lives affected by air pollution?(Positive:a divergent question)(5)If you must ask a yes-or-no question,follow it with a question requiring some explanation.(6)Do not waste time asking questions whose answer you have already known.Instea
12、d,use this basic information to develop more productive questions.Examples:Has there been an increase in pollutants being emitted into the air in the past three years?(Negative:a convergent question whose answer may be a known fact)Has there been an increase in the past three years in pollutants bei
13、ng emitted into the air?What has contributed to this increase?(Positive:a convergent question followed by a divergent question)What has contributed to the increase in pollutants being emitted into the air in the past three years?(Better:a divergent question based on what youve already known)(7)Prepa
14、re questions to tactfully redirect a respondent when he or she deviates from the topic or begins to ramble.Get back to the subject.Id like to ask you again to describe the ways in which the air quality has been improved.(Negative:an impolite expression that may embarrass the respondent)Excuse me.Id
15、be interested to hear more about the ways in which the air quality in chemical industries has been improved.(Positive:a polite expression)(8)Avoid asking clich questions;instead,find a new angle so that the respondent will be interested in your questions.What are the environmental benefits of good a
16、ir quality?(Negative:a clich question,which has been talked about too much)How do you think the environmental benefits of good air quality could be used to increase the publics concern to air pollution?(Positive:a new angle on discussing the old question)(9)Refer to the respondents published work sp
17、ecifically to show that you know the work in detail.I liked your recent article on air pollution.(Negative:reflecting that you may not know much about the article,but simply flatter the respondent)Your article in the May issue of Science has raised awareness of the seriousness of global warming caus
18、ed by air pollution.(Positive:reflecting that you know the respondents work in detail)(10)Prepare sensitive questions the respondent might perceive as hostile in a tactful way so that the respondent will not be offended How can you conduct objective research on air pollution when your research is fu
19、nded by the National Bureau of Environmental Protection?(Negative:a too direct and offensive question)I understand that your research is funded by the National Bureau of Environmental Protection.Does that make it difficult for you to conduct your research objectively?(Positive:an indirect and modera
20、te question)2.Conducting an InterviewAfter preparing your questions,you are ready to conduct the interview.You need to consider the following aspects:Interview conventions Interpersonal behavior Body language Mechanical considerationsThe following guidelines list actions and attitudes that will make
21、 your interviews effective.1)Interview conventions Confirm arrangements beforehand about the time,place,and duration of the interview.Be punctual and do not exceed the agreed-upon length of time.Ask clear,direct questions,using simple language.Allow sufficient time for answers;give the respondent ti
22、me to think.Do not interrupt unless the respondent deviates from the topic or begins to ramble.2)Interpersonal behavior Address the respondent formally,usually in his or her last name but not given name or nickname.Pronounce the respondents name correctly.Be attentive and courteous.3)Body language M
23、ake direct eye contact with the person you are interviewing.Show your interest through your tone of voice,facial expressions,and body language.Notice the respondents body language because it is indicative of how well the interview is going.4)Mechanical considerations If you want to record the interv
24、iew,ask for permission beforehand.Take notes in case there are mechanical problems with the recorder or the respondent prefers that you dont use it.Ask the respondent to prepare answers to statistical questions before or after the interview.Example：An Interview on Sandstorms in North ChinaJulia：Good
25、 afternoon,Professor Wang.Thank you very much for giving me the precious chance of the interview.(Start with a complimentary beginning,expressing thanks.)Wang:My pleasure.Julia：Do you mind if I record the interview?(Ask for permission before recording.)Wang:Certainly not.Julia：As we know,sandstorms
26、hit Northern China more and more frequently.(Introducing the topic)You are an expert in water and soil conservation,and your article Sand and Dust Storms in Northern China in last months Environment has raised widespread awareness of the problem.(Mention the respondent work in detail.)So,can you tel
27、l us how serious this environmental problem is in Northern China?(Limit the range of response to North China)Wang:According to the statistical data of the past three years,the frequency of sandstorms has been increasing at a rate of about 5%each year.The sandstorms affect most areas of Northwest Chi
28、na and Northern China,including Beijing.Julia：What is the direct cause of the increasing rate of the sandstorms?(Ask one question at a time.)Wang:The rapid development of deserts in Northern China is directly responsible for the frequent sandstorms.As a recent investigation shows,the nearest desert
29、is only about 80 miles away from Beijing.Julia：Really?Then why are deserts developing so fast in Northern China?Wang:That is because pastures are diminishing.You see,one of the most serious sandstorms hit Northern China this spring.It swept across Gansu,Inner Mongolia,Ningxia,Shanxi,Shaanxi,Hebei,Be
30、ijing and Tianjin,affecting 130 million people,285,000 hectares of arable land,and over two million hectares of grassland.Julia：Excuse me.Id be interested to hear more about why the pastures are diminishing.(Redirect the respondent back to the initial topic in a polite way.)Wang:That is because of t
31、he overpopulation of sheep.Too many sheep have destroyed the pastures by eating the roots of the grass and bushes.When the roots are gone,the grass and bushes can not grow again and thus pastures turn into deserts.Julia：Why are there so many sheep in the pastures?Wang:The rapid development of the pu
32、re wool industry has led to the prosperity of raising sheep.Julia：What is the cause of the rapid development of the wool industry?Wang:It was caused by peoples life style and the demand of the market.Clothes made of pure wool are becoming increasingly fashionable,so there is a large demand for pure
33、wool material on the market,which,in turn,has made the wool industry and raising sheep profitable.Julia：What are peoples attitudes toward the problem of sandstorms?Wang:Most people are very worried about it,but some people are concerned more about economic development than environmental problems.Jul
34、ia：Has the government taken any action?Wang:Yes.Julia：What measures has the government taken to solve this problem?(Follow the yes-or-no question with one requiring some explanation.)Wang:The government has taken effective measures to control the population of sheep and cattle in the pasture.At the
35、same time,we also try to maintain the vegetation in desert areas by replanting grass and bushes.Julia：What is your opinion on the solution to the problem?Wang:People should realize the change in the relationship between humans and the earth.People are now powerful enough to harm the earth permanentl
36、y,which will eventually harm themselves.They should have a strong sense of environmental protection in daily life.They should be more considerate in choosing what they wear.Many clothes made of cotton and synthetic fibers are also fashionable and of high quality.Julia：I understand that your research
37、 is partly funded by the National Society of Synthetic Fibers.Does that make it difficult for you to conduct your research objectively?(Ask the sensitive question euphemistically,in a mild and indirect way.)Wang:Well,of course not.As a scientist,I try my best to carry out my research objectively and
38、 accurately.The results of our research were obtained on the basis of our scientific research method,but not affected by where we got the research fund.Julia：It has been a pleasure talking with you.Your opinion is both innovative and instructive.Thank you very much for this interview.(End with a com
39、plimentary close.)Wang:You are welcome.II.SurveysA survey is a detailed inspection of the public opinion in order to acquire information.It is a useful tool for gathering information about opinions and preferences from large groups of people.A survey is usually based on a predetermined set of questi
40、ons called a questionnaire.As a questionnaire is conducted with a random sample of the target audience,it can make statistically acceptable generalizations about the entire population.1.Format of QuestionnairesA questionnaire is usually made up of the following parts:Title Introduction Questions and
41、 answers Statistical codes The following provides a guideline for the format of a questionnaire.(1)Title The title usually includes the following elements:time;place;range;content(subject)of the survey.E.g.A Questionnaire about Physical Education in Middle Schools in Shanghai in 2018.These elements
42、are important information for statistical record.(2)Introduction:The introduction includes the following elements:Purpose of the survey Methods in answering questions,e.g.“Black the circle by the answer you choose.”or“draw a tick in the bracket by the answer you choose”or“black the circle by the ans
43、wer you choose”Expression of your respect and thanks to respondents(because to complete your questionnaire takes their time and energy)Example:This survey aims to find out your experience and opinion on the study of English for Technical and Business Communication(ETBC).We sincerely hope that you wi
44、ll help us improve our teaching by completing this questionnaire.Please draw a tick on the letter by the answer you choose.Thank you!(3)Questions and answersQuestions and answers form the body of the questionnaire.They are the content and the most important part of the questionnaire.The questions ca
45、n be:convergent questions,which require a definite answer,or divergent questions,which allow different answers.(4)Statistical codesStatistical codes are the symbols given to each question and choice for the convenience of statistical calculation.Usually,the code is just the sequence number of the qu
46、estion or choice.The code can be a number(1,2,3)or a letter(a,b,c),or the combination of the both(3a,3b,3c).2.Types of QuestionsEffective questions should meet two criteria:validity and reliability.Validity means that the question really asks what the survey givers intend to ask.Negative E.g.Water b
47、oils at_ degrees Celsius.A)80 B)90 C)100 D)120 Reliability means that the question is likely to be interpreted in the same way by people completing the questionnaire.There are generally six types of questions for questionnaire design.Dual alternativesMultiple choice questionsRank ordering questionsL
48、ikert scale questionsCompletionsOpen-ended questionsThe following guideline lists the advantages,disadvantages and noteworthy points in designing each kind of questions.(1)Dual alternatives:offering only two choices:yes/no,positive/negative,true/false,etc.E.g.Do you think it is necessary for postgra
49、duates to study the EBC course?a.Yes b.NoNoteworthy points:They are adequate for simple issues requiring only two choices.They are often mistakenly used for questions requiring more than two choices.E.g.Do you go to work by bus or on foot?Be sure that there are only two possible answers for the ques
50、tion so that respondents will not feel that the choices are inadequate.(2)Multiple choice questions:providing more than two choices,either limiting respondents to a single answer,or permitting them to check all applicable answers.E.g.Which of the following language skills do you think you lack most
