Ch. 14: Analyzing Info & Writing Reports Hand in web disks. Label with section number, folder name, and first page Sign sheet if it’s ok to post your site.

Ch. 14: Analyzing Info & Writing Reports

Hand in web disks. Label with section number, folder name, and first pageSign sheet if it’s ok to post your site.

Types of data available for report

• Product specifications• Ratings from authorities• Speed or efficiency data• Reliability & projected lifetime• Cost or convenience of repair• Reputation of manufacturer /outsourcer• Quality /downtime likelihood• Compatibility with current system• Personal preferences from interviews

Data Analysis Issues

• Do some options omit a needed feature that would rule them out (process of elimination)?

• Does one option have more advantages than others? (but are they needed or just nice?)

• Does one option have the right combination of the most important features?

• Do credible ratings exist? What impact? • To what extent are price differences really

relevant over the life of the use?

Forms that the data takes

• Discrete numbers

• Range (price range)

• Percentage

• Mean, medium, mode

• Coded ratings (high rating = highest number)

• Quadrant analysis

Problem Factoring

• Assumptions about the type of use expected, budget limitations, etc.Contrast and comparison of features, including relative importance of those featuresPotential for maintenance/problemsCost, both initial and cost of any materials required for useCost of service support (customer service numbers, level of support)Reputation of the manufacturer and warranty informationComparison of recommendations from authority sources such as technology rating services

Conclusions or recommendations first? Not likely unless:

• Works when reader agrees• Works when reader understands

constraints• Simplest construction, but reader (and

writer) may overlook important factors to be considered.

• Riskiest if reader doesn’t agree with reader

Organizational Patterns

• Elimination of alternatives

• Product A vs. B vs. C--> Elimination based upon criterion that isn’t met -->Conclusion --> Recommendation

• Ex: Product without UL certification or Product that exceeds price limit

2 + 2 = 4 Approach

• Shows all the reasons why A is better than B

• Works when all reasons add up to decision

• Doesn’t show B’s advantages

• May sound biased, thus losing credibility

Scientific or Comparison/Contrast

• Product A-Advantages -Disadvantages

• Product B-Advantages-Disadvantages

• Conclusion to Report• Requires words to show why 1 better than

other. Puts adv. & disadv. into context but repetition makes the report unnecessarily LONG

Yardstick: Criterion based comparison

• Criterion 1….ex. CostOption A compared to B with clear statement on why one is better and by how much, either in words or numerically.

• Criterion 2 …ex. Service & warrantyOption A compared to B with clear statement on why one is better and by how much, either in words or numerically.

• Criterion 3, etc.. StyleOption A …..

Criterion-based system: continued

• Summary in words shows why some criteria are more important than others and the effect on the decision, either by words or numerically.

Ex.: Even though option A has a longer warranty and is a little more stylish, A isn’t worth the 20 percent higher cost over option B. B’s top rating on Consumer Report shows it is a quality product at a good cost.

Quantitative Decision Making

• Determine criteria

• Determine relative importance of each criterion (total = 100%)

• Rate each option with high rating= best

• Multiply ranking by importance factor

• Total results

• Highest number = best option

Sample Comparison

• Factors40% Cost

30% Service & Warranty

20% Style

10% Rating

• Option A Option B 2 X 40% = 80 3 X 40% = 120

3 X 30 = 90 2 X 30 = 60

•3 X 20 = 60 1 X 20= 20

3 X 10 = 30 2 X 10 = 20

260 220

Pink = rating

Results of Quantitative System

• Shows boss exactly what was important to you: how problem is structured is major part of the decision

• Shows quantitatively how options ranked in numbers, not just by “weighing words.”

• If results close, causes decision maker to re-analyze results…

• May help point toward false assumptions• May help to avoid previous biases

What factors would determine what ____ you would buy?

Words vs. numerical persuasion: Which system works best?

• People have to read words• Words may require more decoding• Headings & formatting help that decoding• Numerical looks more convincing but numbers

can be “cooked” easily to meet biases• Both require carefully built logic in report• Openness of reader determines direct or

indirect style

What are other systems of report organization?

• General to particular--big picture to smaller details

• Geographic or spatial

• Functional

• Chronological

• Feasibility

• Justification--similar to persuasive req.

Report Writing Issues

• Writing style is more formal than email…avoid contractions, slang, etc.

• Avoid second person “you” and first person “I” where possible. Write for the reader’s needs

• Edit for tight construction…or reader won’t read. Use a concise style

• Introduce sources and visuals effectively

Report Writing Issues

• Use talking headings and subheadings to guide reader (APA style).

• Review sample reports: p. 410….

Parts of introduction

• Background and reason for report with clear purpose statement in question or infinitive form

• Scope…how have you limited the topic• What limitations or constraints exist in

your information? • Assumptions….may be part of

background, but need to be spelled out.

More preliminary parts

• What methods did you use to collect info? Be specific on samples, types of interviews.

• What criteria did you use to analyze your options? Include all in statement of how report was organized

• Title page or table of contents not needed.

How do conclusions & recommendations differ?

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 of print source

• ( [date if not current], URL) Use full URL within paper to provide linkable check point)

APA Suggestions

• 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 (can count as one of 8 or more references)

Hands-on Projects Today:

• Decide on tentative list of criterion to evaluate your potential options. Put on back of RefWorks printout or on a separate page. Will you attempt to use a quantitative analysis? If so, what percentages are you using?

• Find at least 1 internet resource and 1 print resource and put into RefWorks

• Print out bibliography in APA style from RefWorks

RefWorks Process

• Library page/Resources/RefWorks• Sign up for an individual account (on

campus)• Organize folder/new folder• New reference + add info save• Bibliography/ base on APA / manuscript

or ref list / create bibliography from folder, etc.