Here's why:
* Preparation is key: Researching a speaker and topic allows you to come to the listening situation with background knowledge and understanding. This helps you:
* Focus your attention: You'll be more likely to pick up on key points and connections.
* Ask insightful questions: Having prior knowledge allows you to formulate intelligent questions during or after the presentation.
* Evaluate the information: You'll have a better foundation to assess the speaker's credibility and the validity of their arguments.
The stages of the listening process typically include:
1. Receiving: Taking in the speaker's words and nonverbal cues.
2. Attending: Focusing your attention on the speaker and the message.
3. Understanding: Making sense of the information and connecting it to your existing knowledge.
4. Remembering: Storing the information for future reference.
5. Responding: Reacting to the message verbally or nonverbally.
While research doesn't technically fit within these stages, it's a crucial step that sets the stage for effective listening.