1. Business Communication, 5e By Krizan, Merrier, and Jones © 2002 South-Western College Publishing LET’S TALK BUSINESS Connie Cushing, CPA, Manager, O’Sullivan Hicks Patton, LLP As a tax manager in a CPA firm, I conduct research as an integral part of my day-to- day responsibilities. Tax laws and cases related to them sometimes change on a daily basis, so we must do research before we can give a client advice about a certain tax position. In addition, we have to stay on top of all changes in the tax law in order to make sure our clients are not paying excess taxes. In this fast-moving, high technology society, it is imperative that CPA firms have online Internet access to a tax service that is updated daily. Knowing how to do effective, thorough research both online and by using printed tax service materials, law books, and tax books is very high in our criteria for job promotion.

2. Business Communication, 5e By Krizan, Merrier, and Jones © 2002 South-Western College Publishing Research Techniques Research Techniques 1.PLAN THE RESEARCH State the Problem State the Problem Set the Boundaries of the Research Set the Boundaries of the Research »Define the Scope of the Research »Schedule the Research »Budget the Research Determine the Readers of the Report Determine the Readers of the Report Decide on the Research Procedures Decide on the Research Procedures

3. Business Communication, 5e By Krizan, Merrier, and Jones © 2002 South-Western College Publishing Research Techniques (continued) 2.GATHER INFORMATION Secondary Sources of Information Secondary Sources of Information »Book »Periodicals »Computerized Searches »Web Searches Primary Sources of Information Primary Sources of Information »Surveys »Observations »Experiments 3.ANALYZE THE INFORMATION 4.DETERMINE THE SOLUTION(S) 5.WRITE THE REPORT

4. Business Communication, 5e By Krizan, Merrier, and Jones © 2002 South-Western College Publishing Web Searches 1.Subject Indexes Hierarchically organized index of subject categories Hierarchically organized index of subject categories Created by humans Created by humans Similar to indexes found in books Similar to indexes found in books Examples: Yahoo; Excite; Argus Clearinghouse Examples: Yahoo; Excite; Argus Clearinghouse 2.Search Engines Further in-depth research Further in-depth research Called “spiders” or “crawlers” Called “spiders” or “crawlers” Use keywords Use keywords Examples: Alta Vista; Infoseek; Infoseek Ultra Examples: Alta Vista; Infoseek; Infoseek Ultra 3.Meta Search Engines Developed because of growth in search engines Developed because of growth in search engines “Multi-threaded” or “meta” “Multi-threaded” or “meta” Search multiple databases at the same time Search multiple databases at the same time Examples: MetaCrawler; Ifind; SavvySearch Examples: MetaCrawler; Ifind; SavvySearch

5. Business Communication, 5e By Krizan, Merrier, and Jones © 2002 South-Western College Publishing Evaluate All Sources Print Sources TimelinessRelevanceApproachOutletAuthor Web Sites Type/PurposeSponsorPerspective Author/Contact Information CompletenessAttributionTimeliness

6. Business Communication, 5e By Krizan, Merrier, and Jones © 2002 South-Western College Publishing Informal Reports Progress ReportsProgress Reports Inform readers about status of a particular project Inform readers about status of a particular project Cites significant accomplishments and problems Cites significant accomplishments and problems Frequency varies with project Frequency varies with project Periodic ReportsPeriodic Reports Provide statistical information Provide statistical information Written at regularly scheduled intervals Written at regularly scheduled intervals Follow no set format Follow no set format Frequently placed on preprinted forms Frequently placed on preprinted forms Technical ReportsTechnical Reports Communicate technical information Communicate technical information Communicate within organization Communicate within organization

7. Business Communication, 5e By Krizan, Merrier, and Jones © 2002 South-Western College Publishing Parts of Formal Reports PRELIMINARY SECTION Title Page Letter or Memo of Authorization Letter or Memo of Transmittal Table of Contents List of Illustrations Executive Summary

8. Business Communication, 5e By Krizan, Merrier, and Jones © 2002 South-Western College Publishing Parts of Formal Reports (cont.) BODYIntroduction Background Background Statement of Problem Statement of Problem Purpose of the Study Purpose of the Study Scope Scope Related Literature Related Literature Glossary GlossaryProceduresFindingsAnalysisConclusionsRecommendations

9. Business Communication, 5e By Krizan, Merrier, and Jones © 2002 South-Western College Publishing Parts of Formal Reports (cont.) SUPPLEMENTARY SECTION GlossaryAppendix Reference List/Bibliography

10. Business Communication, 5e By Krizan, Merrier, and Jones © 2002 South-Western College Publishing Title Page for Formal Report AN ANALYSIS OF HIRING PRACTICES USED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS Prepared for Jennifer Haydon General Manager Prepared by Ted Wyatt Director Human Resources March 17, 200-