Drafting Workplace Messages Begins With Research

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.

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

• What does the receiver need to know about this topic?
• Where should I begin my research?
• How is the receiver to take action?
• What will happen if I don't conduct research?
• 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.

Demarco has been asked to prepare a presentation documenting customer reactions to his company's recently released hand-held GPS device. He needs to know what customers think.

• Conduct primary research for firsthand information.
• Access traditional sources and electronic sources.
• Conduct a scientific experiment.

Routine tasks often require informal research methods.

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

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  .

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

The market analyst of a chain megastore bakery, called More Dough, asks you to find out why people are choosing to go to smaller bakeries rather than their megastore in the same area. The analyst asks you to visit the smaller bakeries and observe the consumers and owners. After you observe and gather data, you are to bring your findings to a group of researchers who will establish controlled variables and conduct a series of experiments.

Which type of research is it?

• Formal research
• Informal research

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

You need to compose an e-mail informing coworkers of an upcoming bowling party.

Which is the best research approach?

• Informal. Look at past flyers for this event, ask coworkers what kind of food they would like to have at the party, and ask which bowling alley they prefer.
• Formal. Conduct a large-scale written survey asking all of your coworkers if they want to participate in external activities.
• Formal. Go to the local library and use an online research database to determine the rules and history of bowling.