Reference no: EM133581793
Assignment: Research Report Project
Overview
Throughout this project we will examine our perspectives on business communication and how we prefer to communicate in both academic and work spaces. You will complete a basic mini research project from creating survey questions to analyzing and reporting findings. Additionally, you will make recommendations based on those findings and propose changes.
Learning Objectives
Course
I. Practice appropriate written, visual, verbal, non-verbal, interpersonal, and technological skills for effective communication.
II. Utilize critical thinking skills essential for successful business communication.
Module
I. Discuss validity, reliability, and statistical significance in qualitative and quantitative studies.
II. Demonstrate the ability to manage time effectively and successfully conduct research using inquiry and data analysis to report findings and propose change within a writing assignment.
Purpose: Why do this
Businesses today are focused on making data-driven decisions. In other words, the decisions they make are based on findings from investigations they conduct. Developing solid research skills and effective writing strategies requires time and practice. This development is essential to learning how to engineer ways to explore answers to big questions and further future discovery. This project exercises your skills of inquiry, data analysis, reporting findings, and proposing change.
Tasks: What to do
Part 1
I. Submit three survey questions about business communication. One will be chosen for inclusion in the class survey.
Part 2
I. Take the survey online.
Part 3
I. Receive the resulting survey response data for your submitted question from your instructor.
Part 4
I. Create a PowerPoint slide with a bar or pie graph displaying the results for your question. Include 1-3 sentences with your thoughts about the findings.
II. Submit the slide as a .ppt or .pptx file by due date and time.
Part 5
I. Receive the complete data set PowerPoint presentation of the class survey from your instructor.
Part 6
I. Construct a Research Report (2-3 pages) to discuss the findings of the class survey.
i. Include 2 sources from the APSU Library.
II. Compose a Proposal (1-2 pages) for a change in business communication within an organization or department at APSU based on the class survey findings.
III. Submit the Report and Proposal as one MS Word document.
Criteria: How to do it
I. Create survey-ready questions
A. Multiple choice or Likert scale
B. Something you want to know
C. Focused on business communication
II. Complete the survey by the due date and time.
III. Analyze the survey data for your submitted question.
A. Consider the range of responses.
B. Use critical thinking to group the responses into categories.
IV. Graph the survey results in a bar or pie graph.
V. Follow the examples in Chapter 13 and the items below to create the Report.
A. Consider the audience
B. Format properly with the following sections
1. Executive Summary
2. Background & Purpose
3. Key Findings (with a graphic representing the data)
4. Conclusion
5. References
C. Fact-check and proofread
D. Cite sources appropriately
E. Utilize Plain Language and Smart Brevity principles
F. Include one graph representing survey findings as a whole.
1. Add alt-info and caption for graph
G. Make at least one reasonable recommendation supported by the findings.
H. Do not exceed 3 pages.
VI. Refer to Chapter 13 to create a short Proposal for change (example on p. 405).
A. Include the following sections:
1. Executive Summary
2. Current Situation
3. Proposed Recommendations
4. Timeframe and Resources Required
B. Close with a few sentences that summarize the proposal.
C. Do not exceed 2 pages.