1. Understanding the Report Process and Research Methods
Chapter 9
Understanding the Report Process and Research Methods

2. Learning Objectives
1. Identify the characteristics of a report and the various classifications of business reports.
2. Apply steps in the problem-solving process and methods for solving a problem.
3. Use appropriate printed, electronic, and primary sources of information.
4. Demonstrate appropriate methods of collecting, organizing, and referencing information.
5. Explain techniques for the logical analysis and interpretation of data.

3. Learning Objective 1
Identify the characteristics of a report and the various classifications of business reports.

4. Characteristics of Reports
Reports are . . .
Generally requested by a higher authority and often travel upward in an organization
Logically organized and objective
Generally prepared for a limited audience

5. Informational vs. analytical
Types of Reports
Formal vs. informal
Short vs. long
Informational vs. analytical
Vertical vs. lateral
Internal vs. external
Periodic or scheduled
Functional

6. Formal-Informal Report Continuum

7. Proposals Are . . .
Used to show how one organization can _____________ of another
Often used to show how _____ or ________ can be provided
Usually issued in response to a _______ or a __________
Used to make decisions about issuing _________ for work
meet the needs
goods
services
request
call for bids
contracts

8. Learning Objective 2
Apply steps in the problem-solving process and methods for solving a problem.

9. The Problem-Solving Process1
Recognize and define the problem 2
Select a method of solution 3
Collect and organize data and document sources 4
Arrive at an answer

10. Questions for Limiting the Problem
is it that I wish to find out?
What
is the information needed?
Why
must the report be completed?
When
is the study limited?
Where
will read and use the information?
Who

11. Learning Objective 3
Use appropriate printed, electronic, and primary sources of information.

12. Conducting Research Primary research Formal System Secondary research
relies on firsthand data and obtains information from experiments, selected individuals, or observations
compiles information that other experts have already created
Primary research
Formal System
Informal System
Secondary research

13. Objectives of Secondary Research
Establish point of _________ for further research
Avoid needless __________ of costly research effort
______ areas of needed research
Make a real ___________ to body of knowledge
departure
duplication
Reveal
contribution

14. Types of Sources Primary Sources Secondary Sources Customer surveys
Market research
Operational research
Historical research
Performance observation
Product development
Financial reports
Employee surveys
Secondary Sources
Newspapers
Magazines
Journals
Abstracts
Almanacs/fact books
Books
Government documents
Online resources

15. Using the Internet Effectively
Choose your search engine or database appropriately
Structure searches from broad to specific
Use quotation marks for literal topics
Look for pages that have links to other sites
Be adaptable to access formats

16. Types of Primary Research
Observational research
Experimental research
Normative survey research

17. Indicators of Effective Research
Does the data measure what was intended?
Were instruments pilot tested?
Validity
Are outcomes consistent (repeatable) over time or independent samples?
Is sample size sufficiently large?
Reliability

18. Sampling: Help for the Overwhelmed Researcher
Eliminates need to question 100 percent of population
Uses random group from population to represent entire population

19. Learning Objective 4
Demonstrate appropriate methods of collecting, organizing, and referencing information.

20. Guidelines for Designing Effective Questionnaires
Arrange items in a logical sequence
Ask for facts that can be recalled readily
Write clear, specific questions
Brief, easy-to-follow directions
Words with precise meanings
Short items related to one idea
No “skip-and-jump” instructions
Continued

21. Guidelines for Designing Effective Questionnaires (cont.)
Create an appealing format that is easy-to-answer and tabulate
Do not force respondents to choose an answer that does not apply to them
Provide all possible answers
Add “undecided” or “other” category
Avoid leading questions
Pilot test the questionnaire and revise based on feedback

22. Common Item Types for Questionnaires
Open Question
What will you do to combat inflation?
Forced Choice
What is the one most important problem you . . .
Checklists
Check all that apply to you:
 Male  Married
 Female  Single
Rating Scale
Circle the number indicating how you feel about each statement:
Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
Ranking Scale
Please rank the following problems in order of importance. Use 1 for most important, 2 for second most important, and continue until all are ranked.
______ World Peace _____ Unemployment
______ Inflation _____ Drug Abuse

23. Common Errors in Data Collection
Samples that are too small
Samples that are not representative
Poorly constructed data-gathering instruments
Information that comes from biased sources
Too little information
Too much information that is not relevant

24. Reasons for Accurate, Complete Documentation
Gives credit where credit is due (highly ethical conduct)
Protects writers against plagiarism charges
Supports statements and thus increases credibility
Aids researchers in pursuing similar research

25. Elements in an Electronic Citation
Author (if given)
Date of publication
Title of article and/or name of publication
Electronic medium (such as CD or DVD)
Volume, series, page, section, or paragraphs
Internet address (URL) and database if available
Direct object identifier (DOI) if available

26. Learning Objective 5
Explain techniques for the logical analysis and interpretation of data.

27. Common Errors in Data Interpretation
Conforming results to prediction or desire
Hoping for spectacular results
Comparing when commonality is absent
Assuming a cause-and-effect relationship when one does not exist
Failing to consider important factors
Basing conclusions on lack of evidence
Assuming constancy of behavior