[CCU] Design and Conduct Research

In this issue: In order to seek and sustain Clarity you need to master
the ability to design and conduct research.

CREATIVE CAREERS
UNLEASHED!

The online Career/Life/Small
Business Newsletter

For Genre Busters^(TM)

From Lyle T. Lachmuth

The Unsticking Coach^(TM)   

==============================================

THANKSGIVING HOT FLASH!

If
you attended last week’s "Successful Careers for Genre Busters^(TM)" interview with
Dr. Barry Morris you know how much fun it was!

Well
get ready for another informative and provocative conversation!

JOIN
me and my good friend Dr. Trude Diamond, aka Menopause Barbie, who’s the
driving force behind the workplace and political Blog called "Hot Flash".

On
November 21^st join us to
find out how Trude has married a successful corporate career while building a
career as a writer.

To
join send a blank e-mail to gb-interest@aweber.com 

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D(["mb","Our\nfamily celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving this past weekend, a month after the official\ndate. My American readers get to do turkey day next week. Well, I have a\nspecial Thanksgiving Gift for ALL my readers! \n

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DESIGN AND CONDUCT\nRESEARCH \n

\n

\n

QUOTATIONS \n

\n

DESIGN and CONDUCT
RESEARCH

Yesterday
I facilitated the semi-monthly gathering of the Career Self Help Salon. This is
a F*R*E*E group of Genre Busters^(TM) who meet together to explore challenges in
their life and careers and support each other in the achievement of their
individual dreams. The group is guided by the principles of Self Help and The
Mastermind. If you’re interested in joining this eclectic bunch of
multitalented creatives, send a blank e-mail to sh-career-salon@aweber.com to find out if you qualify for membership.

          I was discussing the topic of this newsletter with the
group when one of the members asked, "Does your definition of Research include
secondary Research?" I replied, "Remind me. What’s secondary research?" Here’s
the great example the member shared: "Think about <!–
D(["mb","Jane Goodall watching the chimps. That\’s\nPrimary Research. Direct observation." Then they added, "Secondary Research\nwould be reading books or watching movies about Jane\’s work." \n

\n

Got it! An important distinction – and, you need to be able\nto do BOTH kinds of Research. \n

\n

So, why is the ability to Design and Conduct Research such\na critical competency? \n

\n

Because wise career and life decisions and actions depend\non having good, clear information. Remember the first Creative Career\nAction/Competency: Clarity? Clarity comes with information and a later\nAction/Competency: Analyze. \n

\n

So, there are 2 kinds of Research you need to master. What\nare they? \n

\n

Remember all those papers in school, college or university.\nCombing the library stacks. Reading volumes of \’stuff\’ and trying to make sense\nof it. So, you could write up a report summarizing your analysis and findings.\nThat\’s Secondary Research. You may be better at that than Primary Research. \n

\n

The other, Primary Research, may be less familiar. IT\nhowever was the mainstay of my existence at the Southern\nAlberta Institute of Technology. My first training was as a Chemical Research Technologist. Practically\nevery class consisted of a lecture followed by lab work. Lab work consisted of\nexperiments. We would follow the so-called Scientific Method: \n

\n

One,\nFormulate a Hypothesis (that\’s a guess/projection/suggestion about what you\nthink could/might happen). \n

\n

“,1]
);

//–>Jane Goodall watching the chimps. That’s
Primary Research. Direct observation." Then they added, "Secondary Research
would be reading books or watching movies about Jane’s work."

          Got it! An important distinction – and, you need to be able
to do BOTH kinds of Research.

          So, why is the ability to Design and Conduct Research such
a critical competency?

          Because wise career and life decisions and actions depend
on having good, clear information. Remember the first Creative Career
Action/Competency: Clarity? Clarity comes with information and a later
Action/Competency: Analyze.

          So, there are 2 kinds of Research you need to master. What
are they?

          Remember all those papers in school, college or university.
Combing the library stacks. Reading volumes of ‘stuff’ and trying to make sense
of it. So, you could write up a report summarizing your analysis and findings.
That’s Secondary Research. You may be better at that than Primary Research.

          The other, Primary Research, may be less familiar. IT
however was the mainstay of my existence at the Southern
Alberta Institute of Technology. My first training was as a Chemical Research Technologist. Practically
every class consisted of a lecture followed by lab work. Lab work consisted of
experiments. We would follow the so-called Scientific Method:

One,
Formulate a Hypothesis (that’s a guess/projection/suggestion about what you
think could/might happen).

<!–
D(["mb","Two,\nDesign an Experiment (figure out a way to test your hypothesis. Often in school\nthe experiment was designed for us. That\'s not the case in Life. \n

\n

Three,\ncarry out the experiment while measuring the critical variables, e.g. in\nOrganic Chemistry lab that would involve paying attention to the colour,\ntexture, volume, and weight of the precipitate that resulted from combining\ncertain compounds. \n

\n

Four,\nanalyze the result and formulate a conclusion or conclusions about them.\nTypically that means figuring out what worked and why or what didn\’t work and\nwhy. Sometimes, your conclusions would be pure conjecture. \n

\n

Five, write up the lab. \n

\n

Okay, how do you apply these 2 kinds of Research to\ndeveloping your Creative Career Plan? \n

\n

Let\’s look at Secondary Research first since it\’s the\neasier of the 2 to master. \n

\n

Secondary Career\nResearch\n

\n

Secondary Career Research involves: \n

\n

1) Determining What You Need To Know\n

\n

You\nmight think this is easy. And, lots of times it is. But, sometimes it\’s not.\nThe first critical step is take some time to THINK about what you know\nand what you don\’t know. THEN, you need to sit down and make a list or draw a\nmind map that answers these questions: “,1]
);

//–>Two,
Design an Experiment (figure out a way to test your hypothesis. Often in school
the experiment was designed for us. That’s not the case in Life.

Three,
carry out the experiment while measuring the critical variables, e.g. in
Organic Chemistry lab that would involve paying attention to the colour,
texture, volume, and weight of the precipitate that resulted from combining
certain compounds.

Four,
analyze the result and formulate a conclusion or conclusions about them.
Typically that means figuring out what worked and why or what didn’t work and
why. Sometimes, your conclusions would be pure conjecture.

          Five, write up the lab.

          Okay, how do you apply these 2 kinds of Research to
developing your Creative Career Plan?

          Let’s look at Secondary Research first since it’s the
easier of the 2 to master.

          Secondary Career
Research

          Secondary Career Research involves:

1) Determining What You Need To Know 

You
might think this is easy. And, lots of times it is. But, sometimes it’s not.
The first critical step is take some time to THINK about what you know
and what you don’t know. THEN, you need to sit down and make a list or draw a
mind map that answers these questions: <!–
D(["mb",""What\nexactly and specifically do I need to find out? What questions am I trying to\nanswer?" Your answers to these questions will shape the direction and focus\nof your research. \n

\n

2) Figuring Out Where To Look\n

\n

When\nI was in school back in the dark ages before the Internet I spent countless\nhours combing the stack of SAIT\’s library. Now a day you\’ll be able to find a\nswack of information on the Net. However, I\’m still a bibliophile. I have a\ncollection of over 1,000 books on business, psychology, self help, careers,\nchange management, HR, spirituality, relationships, sexuality, writing, and marketing.\nThat\’s where I look first. But, I know You. . . Google® is your buddy! \n

\n

3) Finding It\n

\n

I\nhave to admit that I\’m better at finding stuff in books than on the Net. I\nstill haven\’t wrapped my mind around formulating good Google® or Yahoo® or MSN®\nsearch terms. I have learned this though: you can find lots of information on\nthe Net. But, can you trust it? Look carefully at the credentials of the\nsources. \n

\n

Now\nthat you know how to do Secondary Research, let\’s walk you through an example\nof how to do Primary Career Research. Here\’s the x steps: \n”,1]
);

//–>"What
exactly and specifically do I need to find out? What questions am I trying to
answer?" Your answers to these questions will shape the direction and focus
of your research.

2) Figuring Out Where To Look 

When
I was in school back in the dark ages before the Internet I spent countless
hours combing the stack of SAIT’s library. Now a day you’ll be able to find a
swack of information on the Net. However, I’m still a bibliophile. I have a
collection of over 1,000 books on business, psychology, self help, careers,
change management, HR, spirituality, relationships, sexuality, writing, and marketing.
That’s where I look first. But, I know You. . . Google® is your buddy!

3) Finding It 

I
have to admit that I’m better at finding stuff in books than on the Net. I
still haven’t wrapped my mind around formulating good Google® or Yahoo® or MSN®
search terms. I have learned this though: you can find lots of information on
the Net. But, can you trust it? Look carefully at the credentials of the
sources.

Now
that you know how to do Secondary Research, let’s walk you through an example
of how to do Primary Career Research. Here’s the x steps:
<!–
D(["mb","

\n

1) Hypothesis\n- Define the \’problem\’ you want to solve \n

\n

Here\’s\nan example: Say for example you\’re now a Sales professional and you think you\nmight like to be a Writer. In this case your Hypothesis mainly involves\nthinking about the various ways you could gather data about the Writing Life.\nFor example, you could: 1) Read writers\’ biographies 2) Search the internet to\nfind information about "Careers for Writers" or "Writing Careers", 3) Search\nyour local library for material on "Writing Careers", or 4) Interview a real\nlive Writer. \n

\n

2) Design the Experiment\n

\n

Let\’s\nsay you pick one of my favourite tools: the Information Interview (by the way,\nthe Information Interview is one of the MOST important tools in your Career\nSearch Toolkit). Here\’s how to design a really excellent Information Interview:\na) Make a list of the questions you want to have answered, 2) Run them past\nsomeone else or more than one someone\’s to refine them (order, kind of\nquestions, what\’s missing), c) Figure out who to ask (ask your network for\nrecommendations). \n

\n

3)“,1]
);

//–>

1) Hypothesis
– Define the ‘problem’ you want to solve

Here’s
an example: Say for example you’re now a Sales professional and you think you
might like to be a Writer. In this case your Hypothesis mainly involves
thinking about the various ways you could gather data about the Writing Life.
For example, you could: 1) Read writers’ biographies 2) Search the internet to
find information about "Careers for Writers" or "Writing Careers", 3) Search
your local library for material on "Writing Careers", or 4) Interview a real
live Writer.

2) Design the Experiment 

Let’s
say you pick one of my favourite tools: the Information Interview (by the way,
the Information Interview is one of the MOST important tools in your Career
Search Toolkit). Here’s how to design a really excellent Information Interview:
a) Make a list of the questions you want to have answered, 2) Run them past
someone else or more than one someone’s to refine them (order, kind of
questions, what’s missing), c) Figure out who to ask (ask your network for
recommendations).

3)<!–
D(["mb"," Conduct the Experiment\n

\n

You\nknow who you want to interview and what you want to ask them. Now comes the\nscary part: setting up the interview. Actually, it really ISN\’T that scary.\nI\’ve found that most professional are more than happy to talk about themselves\nand their work. \n

\n

Pick\nup that phone. Take a deep breath. Call them and say something like this: "Hi. This is Connie Career Seeker. Your\ncolleague Mark Mentor told me that you are really terrific writer (sincere\nflattery does not hurt). I\’m thinking about a career as writer. I wonder if you\ncould spare 20 minutes of your valuable time (recognizing their demands is a\ngood thing) for me to interview you. I promise not to take more than 20\nminutes! Would you be willing to do that?" Most true professionals will say\nYES. \n

\n

Set\nup a time and place that works for them!\n

\n

Then\ngo DO IT! A few interview tips: a) Practice your interview in advance; b) Show\nup ON TIME! c) Speak slowly. d) Ask permission to take notes or record the\nconversation, e) Ask any other questions that pop into your head (they will),\nand d) don\’t go overtime UNLESS they agree to it! \n

\n

This\nis VERY IMPORTANT: following the interview Send\nthem a THANK YOU note!\n

\n

4) Analyze the Results”,1]
);

//–>    Conduct the Experiment 

You
know who you want to interview and what you want to ask them. Now comes the
scary part: setting up the interview. Actually, it really ISN’T that scary.
I’ve found that most professional are more than happy to talk about themselves
and their work.

Pick
up that phone. Take a deep breath. Call them and say something like this: "Hi. This is Connie Career Seeker. Your
colleague Mark Mentor told me that you are really terrific writer (sincere
flattery does not hurt). I’m thinking about a career as writer. I wonder if you
could spare 20 minutes of your valuable time (recognizing their demands is a
good thing) for me to interview you. I promise not to take more than 20
minutes! Would you be willing to do that?" Most true professionals will say
YES.

Set
up a time and place that works for them!

Then
go DO IT! A few interview tips: a) Practice your interview in advance; b) Show
up ON TIME! c) Speak slowly. d) Ask permission to take notes or record the
conversation, e) Ask any other questions that pop into your head (they will),
and d) don’t go overtime UNLESS they agree to it!

This
is VERY IMPORTANT: following the interview Send
them a THANK YOU note!

4) Analyze the Results<!–
D(["mb","\n

\n

Okay,\nwhat did you learn? Do you need to refine your questions for your next\ninterview? Do you need to ask new and different questions? Did you learn\nsomething that tells you this isn\’t the career for you? \n

\n

5) Formulate Your Conclusion(s) \n

\n

What\nwill you do now? More interviews? Interview writers in different Genres? Try a\ndifferent tool? What will your next steps be? \n

\n

6) Document\n

\n

It\nain\’t over till the paper work is done! You should have a Career

\n

Plan Portfolio\nof some kind to capture your findings. This can be

\n

anything for a set of folder\non your computer to a spiral notebook.

\n

Whatever you do: Capture your results\nfor posterity – I still have

\n

notes I made in 1984 when I was pondering my\nfirst career change

\n

(scary!). \n

\n

“,1]
);

//–> 

Okay,
what did you learn? Do you need to refine your questions for your next
interview? Do you need to ask new and different questions? Did you learn
something that tells you this isn’t the career for you?

5) Formulate Your Conclusion(s)  

What
will you do now? More interviews? Interview writers in different Genres? Try a
different tool? What will your next steps be?

6) Document 

<!–
D(["mb","Let\’s\nsum up. \n

\n

You need to master\nPrimary and Secondary Research. That means learning how to design and conduct\neither kind of Research. When you do, you\’ll have the data you need to Clarify\nyour plans and actions. \n

\n

Until next\ntime, \n

\n

Lyle Lachmuth Honours Diploma Chemical Research\nTechnology, MS (Organization Development) \n
The Unsticking Coach^(TM) \n

\n

Your Talents > Your\nCareer >> Your Life >>> Your Way! ^(TM)\n

\n

Turning Point\nStrategies \n
\n\nBox 72140 RPO\nGlenmore Landing | \n\nCalgary, \nAB \nCANADA \nT2V 5H9 \n
E: LyleTLachmuth [at]\nGmail.com \n

\n

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER \n

\n

To subscribe to this\nnewsletter, send a blank e-mail to ccu-ezine@aweber.com \n

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You are subscribed as Lyle T. Lachmuth | The Unsticking Coach\nat lyletlachmuth@gmail.com \n

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To change your\nsubscription options click on the link at the end of this e-mail. \n

\n

PRIVACY POLICY: I will not rent, trade, or\nsell your name and contact information to anyone, at any time, for any reason! \n”,1]
);

//–>Let’s
sum up.

You need to master
Primary and Secondary Research. That means learning how to design and conduct
either kind of Research. When you do, you’ll have the data you need to Clarify
your plans and actions.

Until next
time,

Lyle Lachmuth Honours Diploma Chemical Research
Technology, MS (Organization Development)

The Unsticking Coach^(TM) 

Your Talents > Your
Career >> Your Life >>> Your Way! ^(TM)

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

To subscribe to this
newsletter, send a blank e-mail to ccu-ezine@aweber.com

PRIVACY POLICY:  I will not rent, trade, or
sell your name and contact information to anyone, at any time, for any reason!
<!–
D(["mb","

\n

CAVEAT:\nCREATIVE CAREERS UNLEASHED and its publisher, are not engaged in providing\ntherapy. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. \n

\n

CREATIVE CAREERS\nUNLEASHED may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety only, including\ncopyright, legal, and contact information and only with live links intact. \n

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Copyright 2006 Lyle T.\nLachmuth, All Rights Reserved \n

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