Part 28 (1/2)

You should have already forht out the answers via existing research or standards Of course, if you're struggling with the questions, reviewing existing research data ain, it may lead you deeper into the woods The chief risk is that you may settle for what is available rather than what you actually need The following are a few precautions to consider when using others' research: Research data may not match your needs exactly As ht be a Red Delicious while mine is a Granny Smith While you may use others' data to compare, you have to note where it doesn't match your situation

It's too easy to skip the question identification phase when you have rea pictures fro the proper questions

Worse than skipping the question altogether, when you have research results, youquestions to fit the answers in the ement to re-evaluate their needs

Research data are still merely indicators; they are not truth What happened to similar institutions doesn't anization (I atching the NBA playoffs and the announcers were discussing one of the many statistics culled froames of a best-of-seven playoff series have lost the series over 80 of the time” While this may be accurate, it doesn't mean that this particular tea this series) Research is not cheap While technology makes the collection of data much easier than in the past, it's still costly Thesoftware and hardware may be expensive The use of manpower to analyze and report the data is always expensive

While I strongly advise against conducting exploratory research, I fully support your taking every advantage of those who have the time, resources, and will to do so

Recap

Here are so your questions because someone can provide you with ready- research cloud your issues and keep you fro to use others' research and not do the upfront work of deter research push you in a direction that allows coful data for your situation

Don't let others dictate your ” Learn to say ”no” to the ”I think it would be interesting” requests

Don't rely on others to provide your questions-only you truly know your needs

Don't give ate data than to your own metrics

You may have noticed that the ady for developing est issue with non-directed research ful question If the research is being conducted by an independent entity, the question is usually generic, and therefore, less for h-school graduation rate for children froarnish a decent grant froovernh school? Besides the ability to say that high school X has a better graduation rate for their single-parented population than high school Y, how useful is this data? If the data shows that fewer children froraduate than those from two-parent homes, will the schools focus differently on those children because they are le-parent child-rearing or for more support for these families The botto and hly useful for the local school It has uses, but not for where the ”rubber iven involves research for a purpose, albeit a vague one The other type of research, which your organization is e in, is anization not only falls prey to the saful question (usually it's conducted without forethought or planning but si), but wastes your resources! So, unless you have liainst collecting, analyzing, or reporting any data that does not answer a specific and reat potential for helping us find answers The trick is to remember that the research conducted by third parties will rarely provide the direct (or full) answer to your questions You definitely should leverage the work of others, but only after you've clearly defined your question

The other key point to remember is that you likely don't have the resources to conduct non-directed research (leave it to those who receive grants for such things or are in the business of research) Thisinto the research trap when you are tasked to find ”interesting” data Beware these veiled research assignly but voluntarily conducting non-directed research Go back to the beginning (my favorite place to start) and identify the root need With the root question in hand, design your metric with the end in mind Avoid the research trap and use your tianization's Uniqueness

The prince didn't kno else to explain it It was love at first sight She had captivated his whole being And then she slipped away, leaving behind only her glass shoe

”I must find her,” said the prince ”She is the one With her by , be anyone”

”But sire,” responded the chancellor, ”She's just a commoner How can she alone make you more than you are?”

”I can't explain it, but I knoill happen She will 's chancellor to scour the countryside for the irl who stole his heart The chancellor went froe try on the glass shoe

And it fit every girl's foot

The chancellor was lost at what to do So, he did what his father always told hiht each and every ht you the women who fit the shoe”

”Women?” The prince looked at him idened eyes

”Yes, sire”

”How many?”

”All of them”

”Very humorous,” said the prince ”How ht all of thedom fit into the shoe”

”How is that possible?”

The chancellor chose his words carefully ”I believe it's called a one-size-fits-all”

”How is it of any use, then?” wondered the prince