feb. 17, 2004 exam review intro to major teamed writing project overview of types of reports &...
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Feb. 17, 2004
• Exam review
• Intro to major teamed writing project
• Overview of types of reports & proposals
Curve for BC Exam 1
85 A 5 Average: 77 is B
82 A- 5
79.5 B+ 3
75 B 2
73 B- 2
70 C+ 7
67 C 1
64 C- 1
61 D+
58 D
55 D- 1
Report = poWer
Assimilation & analysis of information
Show clarity of decisions & recommendations
Requests for resources
Legal compliance
Why reports more important today
• More data to analyze, but data dump makes analysis more important
• Computer analysis makes process easier…but meaning must be communicated.
• Organizations solve problems, not write reports: points of difference
• Compliance is a more important issue• Teams make them more complicated
Proposals vs. Reports
• Proposals--prior to action- Requires clear planning skills- Used to request or supply resources
• Reports: after___???______recommendation reports are after researchprogress reports are during processtrip reports are after event
Types of Reports
• Info only: trip reports, sales & quarterly reports, etc.
• Info plus analysis: annual reports, audit reports, pay-back reports
• Info plus analysis plus recommendation: feasibility, justification, problem-solving reports…such as your recommendation report
Types of reports & their order
• Informational• Periodic• Situational: trip, progress &
interim reports• Investigative • Compliance• Analytical• Justification/recommendation• Feasibility
• Yardstick• Research
• Direct, chron, indirect• Direct or chron.• Direct or chron.
• Chron, direct, indirect• Required order• Direct/indirect• Direct/indirect• Direct/indirect• Indirect/direct• Indirect
Major report project
• Team project
• Use realistic situation and researched info to recommend decision
• Requires persuasion to skeptical reader, so indirect order of ideas
• Uses graphic representation of info
• Used as basis for final teamed speech
Qualities of successful teams
• Small size, diverse makeup by gender/intl status
• Agreement on purpose• Agreement on procedures such as schedules• Confront conflict• Good communication skills• Collaborative rather than competitive• Shared leadership
Audience analysis
• You can determine who audience is
• Assume skeptical view of purchaser
• Need to recommend not only technology but also source if possible
Good topics…..Not good
• Laptops…but limit to type of use: budget, photo editing, etc.
• Vehicles…but only within a narrow range of price & purpose
• Software categories, etc.
• Too broad: Windows vs. Linux
• Items under $150 not worth written report
• Complex products not understood by class members in short time
• Products without unbiased info easily available
Possible topics• PDAs• Digital cameras at entry or expert
level• Digital storage devices: • Home sound/entertainment
equipment system• Desktop computers• Large screen TV systems• GPS systems (dif. mfg)• Flat screen monitor• Musical instruments• Energy-saving washing machine• Energy-saving refrigerator/freezer
with ice-maker • Whole-office/house stereo systems
• Automobiles—within range• Business color copier• Best on-line brokerage firm• Digital camcorders• Cell phones (phone, not service)• Portable DVD system• MP3 players• High quality photo printers• Fax /printer systems• Graphics software• Data projectors• Treadmills• Unitized weight lifting system
Purpose statement:
• Infinitive: To recommend the best possible digital editing software for video clips to be used on ___’s web page
• Question: Which digital editing software should be purchased for ____?
• Declarative statement: X digital editing software is better than Y for ____use (not for use with a skeptical audience)
Challenge
• Problem is real now or in future
• Important enough to you both to study
• Narrow enough to study in 3 weeks
• Data is available to you
Your Team’s Timeline:
• Report Timeline• Gathering of info• Analyzing info• Organizing info• First draft with
graphics• Revision
• Speech Timeline• Use report draft
feedback to revise strategy if needed
• Select key report content
• Develop slides• Develop graphics• Practice speech
Process
• Email topic to get approval: Rpt Laptops
Jones & Miller • Ask questions as
research continues• Turn in draft by 3/11 • Conference on 3/14• Speeches on 3/30 & 4/1• Final report due 4/6
• ?
What research resources might you use?
• Internet Resources• Search engines:
Lexus/Nexus• Google • Mysimon.com• CNET.com• Pricegrabber.com• Prof. sites dedicated to
specific technology
• Other Resources• Proposed users of
technology• Current users of
proposed systems• Computer Services• Periodicals• Market research websites• Retailers
How do you evaluate these resources?
• Primary vs. secondary sources?
• Expert vs. novice source?
• News vs. sales purposes?
• Biases from teaming or ads?
• Updates?
Survey Development: Types of Samples
• Convenience sample
• Judgment sample• Random--no conscious bias
-Simple--list of all population + random number table-Systematic--consistent unit-Cluster--divide by geographic units-Stratified--population divided into groups
Types of survey questions
• Open vs. closed endedHow were you treated by the repair person?Were you treated fairly by the repair person?
• Direct vs. indirectWhat is your opinion of the Handspring?How do you thing salespeople feel about the Handspring?
• Forced ChoiceWhat is the one most important feature you appreciate?
• Check List: Place a check mark after all the features you use:Calendar___ Email___Address book___Alarm___
Types of survey questions
• Rating Scale Circle the number that indicates how you feel about each statement.The Handspring Screen is clearer than the PalmIII_Disagree_________________________Agree____
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7• Please rank the following features in order of importance to you:
Use a 1 for most important and a 4 for least important
• ___Color options ___Weight___Upgradability ___Mfg. Reputation
• ProbingCould you give me an example?What do you mean by that?
Types of questions
• NecessaryNot: What percentage of new start-up companies failed in Iowa last year?But: What percentage of new start-up companies do you think failed in Iowa last year?
• UnbiasedNot: Do you think new products fail primarily because of lack of adequate funding?But: What do you think is the major reason new products fail?
• UnambiguousNot: Do you think it takes a long time for the average new product to be rolled out?But: How long do you think it takes for the average new product introduction?
Types of questions
• Exhaustive & Mutually Exclusive:How many months did it take you to install the new equipment?___4 months ___4-6 months ___more than 6 months|
• One IdeaCompanies should budget more for technology because of the need to improve quality___agree ____no opinion ___disagree
More survey issues
• Administration of survey: directions• Confidentiality issues of survey process• Feedback component—what % is
enough?
---What type of optional survey might work with your report?
• Develop topic and develop content for survey
What citation issues develop?
• Print vs. web source?
• Site URL vs. that found from link?
• APA vs. MLA? (APA in Business dept. and on paper)
• Frequency of citations?
Citations within report
• Attribution statement in body of report shows name of source used
• (Author, date, page) endnote follows attribution.
• ( [date if not current], URL) Use full URL within paper to provide linkable check point)
APA Referencs
• Business PeriodicalWilstrom, Stephen H. (2002, Feb. 7) Laptops catch up to desktops. Business Week, pp. 22-3.
• WWW SiteHewlett Packard. (2003) Omnibook 900 meets your needs. Retrieved February 15, 2003 from the World Wide Web: http://www.hp/laptops/omni900/
• InterviewsIdentified within text of report but not in ref. list (for purposes of paper, go against APA and include interviews as a reference)
Best Resource for APA
• Http://www.apa.org
• Newest edition on reserve in library
• Text samples should be followed