1. Understanding the Report Process and Research Methods
BCOM Chapter 10
Chapter 9 Lecture Slides
Understanding the Report Process and Research Methods
Business Communication, 15e
Lehman and DuFrene

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BCOM Chapter 10
Learning Objective 1
Identify the characteristics of a report and the various classifications of business reports. 1
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3. Characteristics of Reports
BCOM Chapter 10
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 1
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4. Definition of Report
An orderly, objective message used to convey information from one department (or organization) to another department (or organization) to assist in decision making or problem solving.

5. Types of Reports Formal vs. informal Short vs. long
BCOM Chapter 10
Types of Reports
Formal vs. informal
Short vs. long
Informational vs. analytical
Vertical vs. lateral
Internal vs. external
Periodic (scheduled)
Functional 1

6. The Formal-Informal Report Continuum
BCOM Chapter 10
The Formal-Informal Report Continuum 1
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BCOM Chapter 10
Learning Objective 2
Identify the characteristics of a proposal and the various classifications of business proposals.
A proposal is a special type of report. 2
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8. Classifications of Business Proposals
BCOM Chapter 10
Classifications of Business Proposals
Internal proposal: a report written to justify or recommend courses of action taken in the company
External proposal: a written description of how one organization can meet the needs of another by providing products or services
Solicited proposal: a proposal that is invited and initiated
Unsolicited proposal: is prepared by an individual or firm who sees a problem to be solved and submits a proposal. 2
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BCOM Chapter 10
Using Proposals
Proposals are . . .
Used to show how one organization can meet the needs of another
Often used to show how goods or services can be provided
Usually issued in response to a requests or a calls for bids
Used to make decisions about issuing contracts for work 2
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BCOM Chapter 10
Learning Objective 3
Apply steps in the problem-solving process and methods for solving a problem. 3
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11. The Problem-Solving Process
BCOM Chapter 10
The Problem-Solving Process
Recognize and define the problem
Select a method of solution (Primary or Secondary)
Collect and analyze data
Arrive at an answer
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12. Limiting the Scope
Problem Statement – the particular problem that is to be solved by research (What?) Statement of Purpose – the goal of the study & includes aims and objectives (Why?) Hypothesis – a statement to be proved true or false through research Null Hypothesis – statement to be proved true or false through research – states no difference will be found in the factors being studied – removes bias

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BCOM Chapter 10
Hypothesis
A statement to be proved or disproved through research. Example: Hypothesis: Productivity will increase when skilled manufacturing employees function as members of production teams rather than single units in production lines. 3
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BCOM Chapter 10
Null Hypothesis
The statement that no relationship or difference will be found in the factors being studied. Statement to be proved true or false through research.
Example: Null hypothesis: No significant difference will be found in productivity between workers organized as teams and workers as individual production line units. 3
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15. Methods of Solution
Primary research — relies on first- hand data you collect yourself – only used when secondary data is not sufficient
Secondary research — information others have gathered and published previously

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BCOM Chapter 10
Learning Objective 4
Use appropriate printed, electronic, and primary sources of information. 4
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BCOM Chapter 10
Conducting Research
Types of Secondary Research
Printed Sources
Electronic Sources
Types of Primary Research
Observation
Experimentation
Normative survey research 4
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18. Examples of Research Sources
BCOM Chapter 10
Examples of Research Sources
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources
Newspapers
Magazines
Journals
Abstracts
Almanacs/fact books
Books
Government documents
Online sources
Customer surveys
Market research
Operational research
Historical research
Performance observation
Product development
Financial reports
Employee surveys 4
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19. Objectives of Secondary Research
BCOM Chapter 10
Objectives of Secondary Research
Establish a point of departure for further research
Avoid needless duplication of costly research effort
Reveal areas of needed research
Make a real contribution to the body of knowledge 4
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20. Reasons for Accurate, Complete Documentation (Secondary Sources)
Gives credit where credit is due (highly ethical conduct)
Protects writers against charges of plagiarism
Supports statements and thus increases credibility
Aids researchers in pursuing similar research

21. APA Citations - Cite references for secondary research
- Use APA Style for all business writing
- Cite references in two places: in the report itself (in-text parenthetical citation) & in the bibliography

22. APA Citations In-text parenthetical citation: Bibliography:
. . . students in college today (Author, Year).
Bibliography:
Author, F. (Year). Title of book. City, ST: Publisher’s Name.

23. Citation Examples for a Book with One Author
In-text parenthetical citation:
Smart college students are majoring in
business fields (Smith, 2009). These majors . . .
Bibliography:
Smith, J. (2009). College students and their majors. Memphis, TN: Old South
Publishing Company.

24. Techniques for Using the Internet Effectively
BCOM Chapter 10
Techniques for Using the Internet Effectively
Choose your search engine or database appropriately
Structure searches from broad to specific
Use quotation marks for literal topics
(Ex: “red sports car”)
Look for pages that have links to other sites 4
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25. Problems with Internet Resources
BCOM Chapter 10
Problems with Internet Resources
Resources are not always accurate and reliable
Certain uses of site information may constitute copyright violation
Resources are not always complete in terms of information or updating
Electronic periodicals are not always subjected to same rigor as printed periodicals 4
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26. Indicators of Effective Primary Research
BCOM Chapter 10
Indicators of Effective Primary Research
Validity
Does the data measure what it was intended to measure?
Reliability
Are outcomes consistent (repeatable) over time or independent samples?
Is sample size sufficiently large? 4
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BCOM Chapter 10
Learning Objective 5
Demonstrate appropriate methods of collecting, organizing, and referencing information. 5
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28. Taking Effective Notes (Secondary Resources)
BCOM Chapter 10
Taking Effective Notes (Secondary Resources)
Read an article rapidly
Put the article aside
List the main and supporting points from memory
Review the article to verify significant points 5
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BCOM Chapter 10
Avoid Plagiarism
The presentation of someone else’s ideas or words as your own (Secondary Sources)
provide a citation for each passage from someone else’s work that you stated in your own words
provide a citation for each direct quotation 5
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30. Guidelines for Designing Effective Questionnaires (Primary Research)
BCOM Chapter 10
Guidelines for Designing Effective Questionnaires (Primary Research)
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 5
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31. 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
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32. 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

33. Common Errors in Data Collection **
BCOM Chapter 10
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
** in Primary Research 5
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BCOM Chapter 10
Learning Objective 6
Explain techniques for the logical analysis and interpretation of data. 6
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Summary of Report
Findings – What do the numbers say? Conclusions – What do they mean? Recommendation – What are you going to do?
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36. Common Errors in Data Interpretation
BCOM Chapter 10
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 6
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