1	Writing and Presenting
2	The Written Report Components of the Written Report Which ones do you need for your final paper? (p.156) Cover Letter, Title/Author Page, Table of Contents (.5pt) Executive Summary (2pts) Introduction (1pts) Literature Review (2pts) Methodology (1.5pts) Results and Analysis (5pts) Conclusions and Recommendations (2pts) Endnotes, references and Appendix (1pts) Total 15pts + presentation 5pts = 20% of final grade
3	The Written Report Components of the Written Report Which ones you do not need? (fig 9.1 p.156) Report Binder (0 pts) Side Bar (0 pts) Headline/Byline (0 pts) Lead (0 pts)
4	The Written Report How many pages???????? I look for quality not quantity! You will lose points if you go over, not under So, edit, re-edit, and re-re-edit! Dictation/grammar mistakes = less quality = lose points Keep it concise, jargon free, straight to the point
5	Components of the Written Report Cover Letter, Title Page, and Contents Cover letter should be brief yet compelling and interesting. Cover letter should answer the questions: Why should I read on? Why is this important? Always good to include table of contents Example page 157 Max one page each (three total)
6	Components of the Written Report Executive Summary or Abstract Often is the only part read A summary of the most important results and recommendations A mini version of the whole paper State purpose, research question, method, highlight significant findings, most important recommendations Not too detailed yet reference most important evidence. Example page 159 Max one page single spaced
7	Components of the Written Report The Introduction Sets the stage by getting the reader’s attention Address why this study is important First exposure to this topic for many readers How does it serve knowledge, society, your company… What is the purpose of the study (not same as RQ) Generally ends with the research question Should logically lead up to the research question and into the next section (literature review) Max 2 pages
8	Components of the Written Report Background/Literature Review Contextualization: social and scholastic context of this study/topic latest research about topic and major findings summarize the studies you used Review what was written about the topic elsewhere And point to what has not been studied/covered Conceptualization: refer to the first exercise of theory, hypothesis, 3 levels of definition for each concept, measurement… Examples: look at any academic studies you used Max 3-4 pages
9	Components of the Written Report Description of Method (Methodology section) Detailed description of HOW, WHEN and WHERE you implemented your study Why you chose this methodology Describe population/content, sampling frame, sample size, sampling technique Time/place of the survey, rejection rate, special circumstances, Describe research team and steps taken to insure validity and reliability (intercoder-reliability, data cleaning…) Others should be able to replicate your research from this Max 1-2 pages
10	Components of the Written Report Results and Analysis: Heart of the research report! Start with descriptive statistics: demographics and frequencies (no need for tables/graphs) Move to statistics that answer your RQ Cross tabs and correlations of main variables Include important graphs for complicated stats Include important tables, charts, graphs, etc… Logical flow building up to conclusion Max 6-8 pages
11	Components of the Written Report Results and Analysis: Generally you describe and analyze your data, give answers to your questions with supporting evidence Provide summary at end of the results section Do not describe everything – only the key points
12	Components of the Written Report Results and Analysis (Charts/Graphs) Tables and Charts: Always use percentages when comparing Rank order your responses in charts There should be reason to use a graph/chart Simple variables like gender race need no charts… You can put some charts in the appendix Each graph should be clearly explained and referred to in narrative form (ex: fig 1.1). You will lose points for incorrect interpretation, wrong types of charts or unclear references
13	Components of the Written Report Results and Analysis (Charts/graphs Fig 9.5) Tips: Complete but not cluttered: Include all necessary info (title and axes labeled) Don’t forget page number if referencing appendix! Scale: Choose the clearest and easiest to interpret Values not crowded into one corner, or spread too thinly More than one variable: Lines can be differentiated by color or shape
14	Components of the Written Report Results and Analysis (Charts/graphs) don’t do’s: Missing labels, titles, etc. Wrong interpretation of table Wrong choice of chart type Grid lines too dark, missing, or not relevant
15	Components of the Written Report Results and Analysis (Cross-tabs) Focus on the significant/important differences Don’t describe everything, just key comparisons Independent variable first in sentence Report Chi-square (or other significance test) Even if the relationships are not significant they still may be important Include ROW, COLUMN and TOTAL percentages!! If Cross-tab has too many cells recode variables You can generate graphs for Cross-tabs
16	Components of the Written Report Conclusions and Recommendations Summarize your results and Analysis section Highlight the main results Answer your RQ Make decisions about your hypotheses Include recommendations for action Include implications for society, company… Include weaknesses and limitations Include recommendations for future research Max 1-2 pages
17	Components of the Written Report Endnotes, References, and Appendix Include your bibliography/references Use a formal style APA or other (consistent) Resources should also be referenced appropriately inside paper (Surveys: Include your questionnaire in the Appendix and refer to it from the Methodology sections) Include the other charts and table you used All things apply to charts/tables in Appendix Should be labeled, referenced, page numbered…
18	The Oral Presentation Preparing the Oral Presentation (Checklist p.169) Brief introduction and purpose of study Research Question Brief lit review Present key factors, important findings Conclusions, recommendations, limitations… In general, present each section of the paper but very briefly and only highlight important points You should be able to convince us about your conclusion Pretend you are presenting to a company board
19	The Oral Presentation Visuals and Script are important; Tables/Charts Should be: clearly labeled appropriately used used for a reason not decoration easy to understand simple not complicated! Rehearse before you deliver the presentation All should present The detail for each section is dependent on the time You have 7 minutes (+ 3 minutes for questions/discussion) I will stop you at 7 min even if you’re not done!
20	Oral Presentation Grading 3 pts. For main part: (1/4) intro and purpose of your study (1/4) research question (1/2) literature review (1/2) methodology (1) major findings (1/2) conclusions and recommendations. 1 pt. for using visuals/charts accurately and clearly. 1 pt. for appearance, group cohesion, professionalism and sticking to time limit.
21	Oral Presentation Grading Note: Although the grade will go to the group in principle, individuals may face a reduction in grade if they don’t seem to know what they’re talking about or are not familiar with the research. I will randomly ask individual questions. Possible Extra pts: Every point = 1% increase on Final Project (will explain later)
22	Example of Research Paper Use it, use this lecture, and use the textbook for a guide!!!
23	Stick to the Point One point One message Message driven
24	General Properties Vertical line = Y-axis used for types of information of interest (Frequency or Percentage) Horizontal line = X-axis used for variables of interest (gender, income…)
25	General Conventions ¾ Rule: The height of the graph (Y-axis) should be aprox. ¾ of the total width of the graph (X-axis)
26	General Conventions Broken line: used to truncate horizontal line (X-axis) Do not use with vertical line (Y-axis)
27	Chart Types Bar Charts (vertical or horizontal) Polygons (frequency or percentage) Histograms Line charts Others
28	Vertical Bar Charts
29	Bar Charts - Properties
30	Vertical Charts - Spacing
31	Vertical Charts - Variations Stacked Grouped Histograms
32	Horizontal Bar Charts
33	Horizontal Bar Charts - Variations Paired Gantt Charts/Timelines
34	Polygons
35	Polygons - Properties
36	Polygons
37	Histograms
38	Histograms - Properties
39	Line Charts
40	Line Charts - Variations Standard Step Gap Deviation
41	Other Charts Area Scatter Pictograph
42	3D and Combination
43	Tips: For better looking Charts Use Excel or other software Put in colors (presentations) Charts are used when data is too complicated, so keep it simple!! If it takes more than 5-7 seconds to understand it, don’t use it.