Learning Objectives


Web Enrichment Content: Interpreting Research Data



Download 89.62 Kb.
Page5/7
Date29.07.2017
Size89.62 Kb.
#24723
1   2   3   4   5   6   7

Web Enrichment Content: Interpreting Research Data


  • Discuss research as an opportunity to “circle around or explore” a topic to gain a better understanding. Stress the importance of conducting research on subjects that interest them, when possible.

  • Remind students that the result of research is a body of knowledge that is commonly accepted to be true.

Summary


  • Assign selected activities and applications at the end of the chapter. Remind students to study the suggestions in the “Check Your Communication” checklist for making decisions on the report process and research methods.

  • Assign the interactive quizzes for Chapter 9 that appear in your online course. Assure students that completing this assignment will be an excellent review for an objective test on the material and for completing future writing assignments successfully.

Chapter Review

1. A bank’s internal auditing division performs semiannual audits of each branch. The audit reports are sent to the bank’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer and to the manager of the audited branch. The purpose of the audits is to determine whether policies and practices are properly followed. Into what report classifications might the audit report fall? Explain. (Obj. 1)


Internal audit reports might be formal or informal, short or long, informational or analytical, vertical or lateral, periodic, and functional. Within the description of the purpose and distribution, all of these categories are implied.

2. How might a null hypothesis be stated for a research study attempting to determine whether television or magazine advertising has greater influence on athletic shoe sales? (Obj. 2)


No difference exists in the influence of television and magazine advertising on athletic shoe sales.

3. How are observational and experimental research different? (Obj. 3)


In observation research, the researcher observes and analyzes certain phenomena in order to establish new principles. Experimental research measures the effect of a variable added to one of two samples.

4. What techniques can help make the Internet search process more efficient? (Obj. 3)

Internet searches are more productive when the researcher (a) chooses the search engine appropriately, (b) structures the search from broad to specific, (c) uses quotation marks when literal topics are desired, (d) looks for web pages that have collections of links to other related topics, and (e) is adaptable to various access format requirements.



5. Distinguish between reliability and validity. How are both important to quality research? (Obj. 3) Reliability is the quality of measuring accurately, and validity is the quality of measuring what is intended to be measured.

6. What purpose do quotes and paraphrases serve in the findings of a report? (Obj. 4)

Quotes are useful when the exact words of another have a special effect or impact. Paraphrases express important ideas of another in the words of the writer. Using the ideas of recognized authorities adds credibility to one’s research study.



7. Why should a research study document information taken from other sources? (Obj. 4)

Citations give credit where it is due, protect the writer against plagiarism, document-supporting statements to add credibility, and aid future researchers in pursuing similar material.



8. What questions might you ask of someone who wants assistance in planning a questionnaire survey to determine automobile owner satisfaction with certain after-the-sale services provided by dealers? (Obj. 4)

What will you do with the results? Will you use computer methods to tabulate and test the data? Can you get what you want with simple checklist answers?



9. Gathering so much information that the researcher is “snowed under” by the amount is often a barrier to good reporting. How might researchers protect themselves against this possibility? (Obj. 5)

Defining the problem and limiting the scope of the study at the beginning of the research process will help the researcher in collecting relevant information that is needed to solve the problem.



10. How does the assumption that human beings behave in consistent ways over time present a danger in data interpretation? (Obj. 5)

Assuming that people behave consistently may lead researchers to make inaccurate generalizations about a different time or a different cause.


Activities

Teaching Suggestions and Possible Solutions

  1. Classifying Business Reports (Obj. 1)


Working in small groups, classify each of the following reports in one or more of the ways described in this chapter.

    1. Your company’s two-year study of traditional classroom training versus distance-learning instruction is to be written for publication in an industrial training journal.

    2. You have surveyed company personnel on their perceptions of the need for a company-sponsored wellness program. You are preparing a report for the president that conveys the results.

    3. You have completed your department’s weekly time sheets to send to payroll.

    4. As department head, you have sent a report to the vice president for finance requesting additional funding for equipment acquisition.

    5. You have prepared an article on strategies for enhancing customer satisfaction for publication in your online employee newsletter.

    6. As director of end-user computing, you have prepared a report for circulation to all departments. The report summarizes technology and human relations training offerings available through your department.


Project the Solution slide and discuss the answers in class, or assign the Student Handout (at the end of this guide and online) as homework.

Solutions:

  1. external, analytical, formal report

  2. vertical report, analytical

  3. periodic, lateral report

  4. functional, vertical report

  5. informal, informational report

  6. informal, informational report


Download 89.62 Kb.

Share with your friends:
1   2   3   4   5   6   7



The database is protected by copyright ©ininet.org 2024
send message
    Main page
four steps
logical analysis