Writing and Presenting

The Written Report

p Components of the Written Report

n Which ones do you need for your final paper? (p.156)

p Cover Letter, Title/Author Page, Table of Contents (.5pt)

p Executive Summary (2pts)

p Introduction (1pts)

p Literature Review (2pts)

p Methodology (1.5pts)

p Results and Analysis (5pts)

p Conclusions and Recommendations (2pts)

p Endnotes, references and Appendix (1pts)

p Total 15pts + presentation 5pts = 20% of final grade

p Components of the Written Report

n Which ones you do not need? (fig 9.1 p.156)

p Report Binder (0 pts)

p Side Bar (0 pts)

p Headline/Byline (0 pts)

p Lead (0 pts)

p How many pages????????

n I look for quality not quantity!

n You will lose points if you go over, not under

n So, edit, re-edit, and re-re-edit!

n Dictation/grammar mistakes = less quality = lose points

n Keep it concise, jargon free, straight to the point

Components of the Written Report

p Cover Letter, Title Page, and Contents

n Cover letter should be brief yet compelling and interesting.

n Cover letter should answer the questions: Why should I read on? Why is this important?

n Always good to include table of contents

Example page 157

Max one page each (three total)

Components of the Written Report

p Executive Summary or Abstract

n Often is the only part read

n A summary of the most important results and recommendations

n A mini version of the whole paper

n State purpose, research question, method, highlight significant findings, most important recommendations

n Not too detailed yet reference most important evidence.

Example page 159

Max one page single spaced

Components of the Written Report

p The Introduction

n Sets the stage by getting the reader’s attention

n Address why this study is important

p First exposure to this topic for many readers

p How does it serve knowledge, society, your company…

p What is the purpose of the study (not same as RQ)

n Generally ends with the research question

p Should logically lead up to the research question and into the next section (literature review)

Max 2 pages

Components of the Written Report

p Background/Literature Review

n Contextualization:

p social and scholastic context of this study/topic

p latest research about topic and major findings

p summarize the studies you used

p Review what was written about the topic elsewhere

p And point to what has not been studied/covered

n Conceptualization:

p 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

Components of the Written Report

p Description of Method (Methodology section)

n Detailed description of HOW, WHEN and WHERE you implemented your study

n Why you chose this methodology

n Describe population/content, sampling frame, sample size, sampling technique

n Time/place of the survey, rejection rate, special circumstances,

n Describe research team and steps taken to insure validity and reliability (intercoder-reliability, data cleaning…)

n Others should be able to replicate your research from this

Max 1-2 pages

Components of the Written Report

p Results and Analysis:

n Heart of the research report!

n Start with descriptive statistics:

p demographics and frequencies (no need for tables/graphs)

n Move to statistics that answer your RQ

p Cross tabs and correlations of main variables

p Include important graphs for complicated stats

p Include important tables, charts, graphs, etc…

n Logical flow building up to conclusion

Max 6-8 pages

Components of the Written Report

p Results and Analysis:

n Generally you describe and analyze your data, give answers to your questions with supporting evidence

n Provide summary at end of the results section

n Do not describe everything – only the key points

Components of the Written Report

p Results and Analysis (Charts/Graphs)

n Tables and Charts:

p Always use percentages when comparing

p Rank order your responses in charts

p There should be reason to use a graph/chart

p Simple variables like gender race need no charts…

p You can put some charts in the appendix

n Each graph should be clearly explained and referred to in narrative form (ex: fig 1.1).

n You will lose points for incorrect interpretation, wrong types of charts or unclear references

Components of the Written Report

p Results and Analysis (Charts/graphs Fig 9.5) Tips:

n Complete but not cluttered:

p Include all necessary info (title and axes labeled)

p Don’t forget page number if referencing appendix!

n Scale:

p Choose the clearest and easiest to interpret

p Values not crowded into one corner, or spread too thinly

n More than one variable:

p Lines can be differentiated by color or shape

Components of the Written Report

p Results and Analysis (Charts/graphs) don’t do’s:

n Missing labels, titles, etc.

n Wrong interpretation of table

n Wrong choice of chart type

n Grid lines too dark, missing, or not relevant

Components of the Written Report

p Results and Analysis (Cross-tabs)

n Focus on the significant/important differences

n Don’t describe everything, just key comparisons

n Independent variable first in sentence

n Report Chi-square (or other significance test)

n Even if the relationships are not significant they still may be important

n Include ROW, COLUMN and TOTAL percentages!!

n If Cross-tab has too many cells recode variables

n You can generate graphs for Cross-tabs

Components of the Written Report

p Conclusions and Recommendations

n Summarize your results and Analysis section

p Highlight the main results

p Answer your RQ

p Make decisions about your hypotheses

n Include recommendations for action

n Include implications for society, company…

n Include weaknesses and limitations

n Include recommendations for future research

Max 1-2 pages

Components of the Written Report

p Endnotes, References, and Appendix

n Include your bibliography/references

p Use a formal style APA or other (consistent)

p Resources should also be referenced appropriately inside paper

p (Surveys: Include your questionnaire in the Appendix and refer to it from the Methodology sections)

n Include the other charts and table you used

p All things apply to charts/tables in Appendix

p Should be labeled, referenced, page numbered…

The Oral Presentation

p Preparing the Oral Presentation (Checklist p.169)

n Brief introduction and purpose of study

n Research Question

n Brief lit review

n Present key factors, important findings

n Conclusions, recommendations, limitations…

n In general, present each section of the paper but very briefly and only highlight important points

n You should be able to convince us about your conclusion

n Pretend you are presenting to a company board

The Oral Presentation

p Visuals and Script are important; Tables/Charts Should be:

n clearly labeled

n appropriately used

n used for a reason not decoration

n easy to understand

n simple not complicated!

p Rehearse before you deliver the presentation

p All should present

p The detail for each section is dependent on the time

p You have 7 minutes (+ 3 minutes for questions/discussion)

p I will stop you at 7 min even if you’re not done!

Oral Presentation Grading

p 3 pts. For main part:

n (1/4) intro and purpose of your study

n (1/4) research question

n (1/2) literature review

n (1/2) methodology

n (1) major findings

n (1/2) conclusions and recommendations.

p 1 pt. for using visuals/charts accurately and clearly.

p 1 pt. for appearance, group cohesion, professionalism and sticking to time limit.

Oral Presentation Grading

p 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.

p Possible Extra pts: Every point = 1% increase on Final Project (will explain later)

Example of Research Paper

p Use it, use this lecture, and use the textbook for a guide!!!

Stick to the Point

p One point

p One message

p Message driven

General Properties