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Chapter 9 Understanding the Report Process and Research Methods Lecture Slides Business Communication, 16e, Lehman & DuFrene © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Formal-Informal Report Continuum Chapter 9, Business Communication, 16e, Lehman & DuFrene © 2011 Cengage Learning Your Turn You are to prepare a report for the operations VP about whether your company should offer an in-house daycare center for employees’ children. Formal vs. informal Informational vs. analytical Vertical vs. lateral Internal vs. external Periodic or scheduled Functional What kind of report would you prepare? Explain your answer. Chapter 9, Business Communication, 16e, Lehman & DuFrene © 2011 Cengage Learning The Problem-Solving Process 1 Recognize and define the problem 2 Select a method of solution 3 Collect and organize data and document sources 4 Arrive at an answer Chapter 9, Business Communication, 16e, Lehman & DuFrene © 2011 Cengage Learning Questions for Limiting the Problem What • is it that I wish to find out? Why • is the information needed? When • must the report be completed? Where • is the study limited? Who • will read and use the information? Chapter 9, Business Communication, 16e, Lehman & DuFrene © 2011 Cengage Learning Conducting Research Primary research • relies on firsthand data and obtains information from experiments, selected individuals, or observations Secondary research • compiles information that other experts have already created Chapter 9, Business Communication, 16e, Lehman & DuFrene © 2011 Cengage Learning Types of Sources Primary Sources • • • • • • • • Customer surveys Market research Operational research Historical research Performance observation Product development Financial reports Employee surveys Chapter 9, Business Communication, 16e, Lehman & DuFrene Secondary Sources • • • • • • • • Newspapers Magazines Journals Abstracts Almanacs/fact books Books Government documents Online resources © 2011 Cengage Learning Objectives of Secondary Research departure for • Establish point of _________ further research duplication of costly • Avoid needless __________ research effort • Reveal ______ areas of needed research contribution to body of • Make a real ___________ knowledge Chapter 9, Business Communication, 16e, Lehman & DuFrene © 2011 Cengage Learning 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 Chapter 9, Business Communication, 16e, Lehman & DuFrene © 2011 Cengage Learning 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 Chapter 9, Business Communication, 16e, Lehman & DuFrene © 2011 Cengage Learning 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 Chapter 9, Business Communication, 16e, Lehman & DuFrene © 2011 Cengage Learning 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 Chapter 9, Business Communication, 16e, Lehman & DuFrene © 2011 Cengage Learning