2. McGraw-Hill/Irwin Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. chapter 8-2 “Reports often lead to the most important business decisions.” eight Researching + Writing Reports

4. 8-3 What is a report? An orderly and objective communication of factual information that serves a business purpose.

5. 8-4 Determine the Report Problem Conduct a preliminary investigation – Gather facts to better understand the problem – Consult many sources State the problem and purpose in writing – To help you stay on track – To allow others to review, approve, and evaluate it – To force yourself to get the problem clearly in mind

6. 8-5 Determine the Factors Types of Factors Subtopics in information reports Hypotheses for problems requiring a solution Bases of comparison in evaluation studies

7. 8-6 Gathering the Information Needed Two Basic Forms of Research Secondary – Secondary research is research using data compiled and interpreted by someone else. It is usually library and online research. Primary – Primary research uses data compiled and interpreted firsthand by the writer.

8. 8-7 Sources for Direct Access Encyclopedias Biographical Directories Almanacs Trade Directories Government Publications Dictionaries Statistical Sources Business Information Services International Sources

9. 8-8 Sources for Indirect Access The Online Catalog Online Databases The Internet – Search Engines—single, meta, and specialized – Personalized Search Agents

10. 8-9 Primary Sources 1.Company Records 2.Experimentation 3.Observation 4.Survey 5.Qualitative Research

11. 8-10 Interpret the Findings Advice for Avoiding Human Error Report the facts as they are. Draw conclusions only when appropriate. Do not interpret lack of evidence as proof to the contrary. Be sure your data are comparable. Be sure you draw only logical conclusions. Be sure the data are reliable and representative. Give attention to all important facts. Tailor your claims to your data.

12. 8-11 Organize the Report Information An outline Groups things that go together Orders them logically Relates ideas hierarchically Provides for efficient and orderly drafting Can be changed as your report develops

13. 8-12 I.First-level heading A.Second-level, first part B.Second-level, second part 1.Third-level, first part 2.Third-level, second part a.Fourth-level, first part (1)Fifth-level, first part (a)Sixth-level, first part II.First-level heading A.Second-level, first part B.Second-level, second part Etc. One Outline Option: Conventional Outline Form

14. 8-13 1.0First-level heading 1.1Second-level, first part 1.2.Second-level, second part 1.2.1Third-level, first part 1.2.2Third-level, second part 1.2.2.1 Fourth-level, first part 2.0First-level heading 2.1Second-level, first part 2.2Second-level, second part Etc. Another Outline Option: The Decimal System

15. 8-14 From Outline to Table of Contents Formatting Decisions Topic or Talking Headings Parallelism of Construction Conciseness in Wording Variety of Expression

16. 8-15 Write the Report Put the report in context with your beginning and ending. Be objective. – Believability – Impersonal vs. personal writing Maintain a consistent time viewpoint. Use transitions. Maintain interest.

17. 8-16 Writing Collaboratively Determine the group makeup Plan for effective participation Choose the means of collaboration

18. 8-17 1.Make a project plan 2.Determine the purpose. 3.Identify the factors. 4.Gather the information needed. 5.Interpret the information. 6.Organize the material. 7.Plan the writing requirements. 8.Assign parts to be written. 9.Write parts assigned. 10.Revise collaboratively. 11.Edit the final draft. Researching and Writing the Collaborative Report