Reports are
necessary in business. Employees need to communicate both horizontally with
each other through reports and vertically to supervisors. One of the most
important steps of making a report is the process of collecting information.
Data can be
categorized in two categories, which are primary and secondary. Primary data is
based on firsthand experience, while secondary data is based on reading what
others have experienced, observed, and written down.
Gathering information from secondary sources can be obtained through
print resources and electronic databases.
1. Print
Resources
Despite this
sophisticated era, print sources are still the most dominant part of most
libraries. Not all of information can be found in electronic data. You may begin your research by talking to a reference librarian about your project, so he or she will give you the right direction.
a. Books
They offer excellent historical, in-depth data locate data through print or online listings, such as card catalogs,and online catalogs.
b. Periodicals
Magazines, pamphlets, and journals are considered as periodicals because of their recurrent, or periodic, publication. Periodicals can be found in print indexes and electronic indexes.
2. Electronic Databases
Gathering information from primary sources can be obtained through survey, interviews, observation, or experimentation.