RECOMMENDATION REPORT ASSIGNMENT
shaqi112
336_ppt_7_1.pptxToday’s Agenda
Interpreting for the Readers
Fallacious interpretation procedures
Sound interpretation practices
Homework: recommendation report final check
BEIT 336: Week 2 – Class 3
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BEIT 336: Week 2 – Class 3
Interpreting for the Readers (Chapter 9)
Report writing requires more than effective writing skill.
You must
Analyze your audience – so you know what they expect from your report and tailor your report style, tone, order / arrangement of idea, etc. accordingly
Use coherence plan -- so your report appears to be a coherent unit with a clear message, instead of a random collection of sentences and paragraphs
Explain results in meaningful context -- we don’t “just present the facts” we must first make sense of or understand the meaning of the findings ourselves, then tell our readers what the numbers or figures mean!
Interpreting Information
Common errors made when interpreting information are explained in Chapter 9. Review the information and test your knowledge in the following slides.
Fallacious Interpretation Procedures
Bias in interpretation
Comparison of noncomparable data
Cause-effect confusion
Unreliable data
Unrepresentative data
Neglect of important factors
Interpreting Information
A student organization at ISU surveyed students living in dorms about their opinions on a policy change. Eighty percent of the respondents were in favor of the policy. The student organization concluded that most ISU students are supportive of the policy; therefore, the policy should be adopted.
Error(s) in interpretation:
Unrepresentative data
Interpreting Information
You want to know which personal computer manufacturer has the largest share of the public school market. You asked 100 college students to identify the type of PC they used when they were in grade school. Based on the results, you declared Macintosh dominates the public school market.
Error(s) in interpretation:
Unreliable data
Unrepresentative data
Interpreting Information
In an analysis of consumer purchasing habits, you found that customers often include diapers and beers in the same purchase. Hence, you conclude that consumption of diapers leads to consumption of beer.
Error(s) in interpretation:
Cause-effect confusion
Interpreting Information
Other errors when interpreting information are based on false expectations/beliefs. Review each in Chapter 9 and test your knowledge in the following slides.
Expectation & Interpretation Errors
Desire for the spectacular
“Conclusions are essential” belief
Acceptance of lack of evidence as proof to contrary
Interpreting Information
Based on an analysis of hospital ER records, you found that there was a 35 percent increase in the number of heart attack patients in January and February. You conclude that cold weather leads to heart attack.
Error(s) in interpretation:
Cause-effect confusion
Neglect of important factors (e.g., excitement of enthused sports fans, over exertion from snow shoveling, etc.)
“Conclusions are essential” belief
Interpreting Information
When questioned about their feelings concerning a certain personnel policy, 14 percent of the employees strongly supported the policy, 62 percent were indifferent, and 24 percent disproved. A management report concluded that the policy should be continued, since only 24 percent opposed the policy.
Error(s) in interpretation:
Acceptance of lack of evidence as proof to contrary
Interpreting Information
To avoid interpretation errors, follow the following advice in Chapter 9.
Sound interpretation practices:
Cultivate a critical point of view
Maintain judicial attitude
Consult with others
Test interpretations
Use statistical aids
Business Reports Require Analytical Skills!
To sum up, you must apply your analytical skills in preparing business reports.
An effective report must be based on clear and logical reasoning
You must avoid “false” conclusions
You must include ethical considerations in your analysis and interpretation
What are ethical considerations? Ask yourself the questions on the next slides.
Interpreting Information – Ethical Considerations
Is information gathered true? Is it objective?
How would you define the problem if you stood “on the other side of the fence”?
Which alternative respects the rights and dignity of the stakeholders and can be universally applied?
Which alternative will produce the most good and the least harm?
Do any of the alternatives violate a conventional moral rule?
Which alternative can you personally live with?
For each alternative:
Will adopting this decision allow you to be at peace with yourself?
How would you feel when you share your decision with your most respected mentors, family members, or friends?
How would you feel if your actions were reported on the front page of The Wall Street Journal?
Interpreting Information – Ethical Considerations
Recommendation report Assignment
BEIT 336: Week 2 – Class 3
BEIT 336: Week 2 – Class 3
To help you with the Individual Recommendation Report Assignment, follow the self check list on the next few slides
BEIT 336: Week 2 – Class 3
Report Format (block style letter )
Does your report include all of the following? Are all of them aligned left?
Date
Receiver’s name, title, address
Salutation
Headings (Use level 1 heading style)
Second page (include header: page #, date)
Signature block- include complimentary close, leave space (3 blank lines) for your signature, your name and title
BEIT 336: Week 2 – Class 3
Introduction (no heading)
Heading 1 (must be talking heading)
Heading 2 (must be talking and parallel to first heading)
Heading x (must be talking and parallel to previous headings)
Conclusion & Recommendation (talking heading)
Closing (no heading)
Report Structure & Content
BEIT 336: Week 2 – Class 3
Introduction
Included authorization?
Explained what the report is about?
Explained why this report requested?
Explained how information was gathered?
Mentioned area investigated for the report?
Included a report preview?
BEIT 336: Week 2 – Class 3
Writing Quality Questions:
Are there grammatical/spelling errors?
Are the sentences clear and concise?
Are there wording problems (confusing or inappropriate for the context)?
Are the sentences arranged in a clear and easy to follow sequence?
Are the transitions smooth or abrupt?
BEIT 336: Week 2 – Class 3
Graphic Aids (if used)
Did you introduce the graphic aid?
Is it of good quality (legible, not too big, no blank lines, columns aligned, etc.)?
Did the graphic enhance the writing (communicated complex data more effectively or added interests)?
Did you explain the content of the graphic by highlighting key information in the discussion?
BEIT 336: Week 2 – Class 3
Closing
Is there a “goodwill” statement?
Did you ask for feedback (request to meet)?
Is the tone appropriate?
BEIT 336: Week 2 – Class 3
Modify and improve any “problem areas” you identified from the self check.
Submit your report (outline and the letter) on Blackboard by 10 A.M. Thursday.
