1. Preparing the Factors Section Discussion of Data Gathered and Your Findings

2. Organize Your Outline Arrange your topics in the order of importance as described in the report preview (in the Introduction or Overview section). Organize your sub-factors in order of importance. Use topic headings for factors Use either topic or talking headings for sub- factors Format headings properly (Nelson p. 18)

3. Example of headings: Casual Dress Defined Productivity (include other companies experiences and Futurex employees’ responses) Job Satisfaction (include same as above) Employee Communication (same as above) Customer Perceptions (same as above) Recruiting (same as above) (other)

4. Write an introductory topic sentence after each topic heading The topic sentence should tell the reader what the section will be about. The topic sentence should include a transition to the first sub-factor. Each concluding sentence should include a transition to the next sub-factor.

5. PRODUCTIVITY Improved productivity is the primary motivation of most prospective users of employee smoking bans (Nollen, 2000). According to a recent study by the International Labor Organization, American workers put in 1,966 hours per person per year. This study maintains that America employs more work hours than can be found in any other industrialized country, including Japan and Europe. However, companies are becoming increasingly aware that employee absenteeism because of smoking-related health issues are likely to result in reduced productivity (Singer, 1999). Therefore, the use of employer smoking bans is increasing. Smoke-free work environments can improve production in several ways. Increasing Hours of Operation The implementation of a smoking ban reduces tardiness and paid absences, such as personal days and sick leave, thus increasing the actual hours worked by individuals in an operation. It also reduces idle time spent on the job…

6. Include triangulation to analyze findings Identify at least three sources of supporting information to corroborate a finding whenever possible. For example, with regard to productivity gains, discuss at least three instances where casual dress resulted in increased productivity (give institutions names).

7. Triangulate numeric data FINDING 1: ABC Company experienced a 15% increase in productivity… FINDING 2: XYZ Company reported 5% increase in productivity… FINDING 3: MJB Company stated that productivity was increased by by 6% ANALYSIS: The average productivity gain reported from the three companies was 8.7% ANALYSIS: productivity gains ranged from 5 to 15 % CONCLUSION: This would seem to indicate that Futurex could experience an increase in productivity in the neighborhood of 8% and in a range of from 5 to 15%

8. Identify items for insertion Include in-text references where required. E.g., (Smith, 2002). Use separate page for references list. Mark spots in your manuscript where graphics (tables and charts) will appear. Ensure that there is text introducing all graphics. Ensure that there is text following all graphics that discusses the points to be derived from the graphic.

9. … When employee preference is considered, morale increases. The preference employees have for flexible scheduling over traditional fixed hours can be seen below in Table 1. Table 1 Flextime vs. Fixed Hours Source: Primary The table above illustrates the preference of Madison Supply Company’s employees for flexible schedules and fixed schedules. It illustrates that 95% of …

10. PROOF YOUR DRAFT Read your draft for CONTENT Ask yourself if it makes the case for the conclusions that you will reach Polish the grammar as you read Don’t forget - you’ll probably proof a paper five or six times before you catch most mistakes

11. Other Tips Continue to share data with your research group teammates Write something each day, don’t save it all for the last minute Ask a friend to help you proof it for content – does your data “make the case” to them?

12. Draft of factors sections due Tuesday, March 29 You will need at least 8 – 10 pages to earn the extra credit points

13. Just Do It. Just Do It.