Final answer:
For a college-level report, it is critical to ask questions about audience knowledge, source relevance, and the goals of the report, ensuring that the presentation is tailored to the audience's needs and the paper's intended purpose.
Step-by-step explanation:
When embarking on a research project or preparing a report, it is essential to employ a critical perspective towards the topic at hand. Firstly, evaluate what your audience might already know about the topic and what additional information they require to grasp your main points. The questions to consider are: What does my audience know about this subject? and What does my audience need to know to understand the point of my paper? It is crucial to ensure that all parts of your report serve the purpose of advancing your argument or position.
Furthermore, your choice of sources should on their relevance to your topic and their capacity to bolster your thesis, always keeping in mind who the intended audience is and the source's purpose. When choosing your topic, reflect on the scope and how it was determined. Engage with existing literature to ascertain what you already know and what you wish to find out, applying this information to narrow down your research to a workable thesis. Critical analysis of sources includes recognizing which ones best support your thesis and understanding their significance within the context of your topic.
Finally, the presentation of your findings should be considered. The format should align with the nature of the report, whether analytical or informational, and be suited to the audience's expectations. Exploring questions like the causes, effects, and potential solutions to the problem you're addressing will guide not only your research but also the structure and approach of your final paper.