6.4: Conclusion: What is Research?
Terri Stiles
Research is more than gathering facts. It is an act of discovery that allows speakers to transform curiosity into understanding. In this chapter, you learned how academic research strengthens credibility, how careful planning shapes the research process, and how ethical citation honors the work of others. Together, these practices ensure that every speech rests on a foundation of evidence, transparency, and integrity.
Beyond the podium, research represents more than preparation. It is participation in a larger conversation. Each question you ask connects your voice to others who have studied, experimented, and imagined before you. When you build your speech on solid research, you join that ongoing dialogue and help it grow.
As you move to the next chapter, you will take what you have discovered and learn how to weave it into persuasive and engaging messages. Research gives you the material; argument and structure will give it form. Together, they turn information into insight and insight into impact.
Key Takeaways
- Research strengthens credibility. Solid research builds informed, ethical, and persuasive speeches grounded in evidence.
- Plan and balance your time. Allow space for both researching and practicing to create a polished, confident presentation.
- Use credible, diverse sources. Rely on academic materials for accuracy, while critically evaluating nonacademic and AI-generated content.
- Cite ethically and transparently. Give credit where it’s due—cite your sources properly, disclose AI use, and maintain academic honesty.
- Integrate research with your own insight. Blend credible information with your personal analysis to make your speech authentic and memorable.
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