Using AcademicPractices To Improve Your Communications (NAPSA)—In today’s fast-paced world, new content is coming out faster than manypeople can keep up. According to an article in Science Daily, 90 percent of the world’s data has been generated in just the last few years. People actively develop new content every day, whetherin their professionalroles or when choosing eS what to blog about,link to on social me- dia, andactively share in some way. With all this increased access to information that can be used to create content,it’s im- portant to be mindfulof the process and how companies can mosteffectively connect with consumersor any audience in a waythat is accurate and authentic. The Problem Without proper authentication, you run the risk of misconstruing or misrepresenting your main idea with potentially false information. Some Answers Fortunately, the research community has time-tested best practices that can help anyone develop meaningful content, whetherfor professional or personal use. To help, Hinrich Eylers, Ph.D., ex- ecutive dean for the School of Advanced Studies at University of Phoenix,offers these three tips to keep in mind when creating content: 1. Use Solid Sources: Scholars use both primary and secondary sourcesas they delve into their topic on the quest for the truth. Primary sources include firsthand raw materials such asartifacts, original writings, observed studies and recordings. Secondary sources may include everything from booksto blogs on the topic and can help them connectthe dots, view the same subject from differ- ent viewpoints and gain more perspec- tive. One way to apply the best practice of using multiple sources and going back to the source in our consumption of informationis to click through to the original sourceofan article, blog post or tweet to researchit further before drawing conclusions. 2. Think Critically: Scholars are trained to take a highly disciplined analytical approach to what they see and hear. This is knownascritical thinking. Through their research and writing, scholars are seasoned critical thinkers, trained in refusing to take things at face value, asking thought-provoking questions and challenging the status quo. As a consumerof information, you benefit The research community has time-tested ways to communicate accurately and effectively that can help anyone develop meaningful content. when youlay the groundworkfor arriving at valid conclusions before making up your mind or sharing half-baked perspectives with others. Thinking critically may also help you avoid making false assumptions in everyday decision-makingas well. 3. Overcome Bias: Scholars are well aware ofthe extensive numberof cognitive biases that make people susceptible to brain hacking, where someone may not betruly in controlofhis or her own decision-making and opinions. For instance, “confirmation bias” draws peo- ple to information that confirms what they already believe. When people apply biases to the world around them, they’re vulnerable to being hacked as individuals, as groups and as a society. To assure they're looking at things objectively rather than subjectively, scholarsstrive to consider a variety of contexts such as societal, historic, economic, geopoliti- cal and commercial before drawing any conclusions. As you read new content, when you're willing to entertain new theories and embrace new perspectives with an open mind, you increase your chances to learn more and accept the truth at face value. By keeping these methods in mind, contentcreators ofall backgrounds can be more assuredthattheir contentis developed in a way that’s all inclusive and accurate, Dr. Eylers added. University of Phoenix is comprised of a skilled faculty of industryleaders along with convenient and flexible courses to help students pursue their goals and meet the demandsof the marketplace. Learn More For further facts and figures, go to www.phoenix.edu.
