Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Communication Skills > Chapter 3 > Flashcards

Chapter 3 Flashcards

1
Q

Why is a report important?

A
  1. Preparing budgets
  2. Obtaining new business
  3. Proposing official changes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

2 definitions of a report?

A
  1. A formal or official presentation of facts

2. To represent w conclusions and recommendations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

6 main stages in report writing ?

A
  1. Objectives - establish the brief
  2. Content - Gather and organise data
  3. Structure - Creating a clear argument, logical flow
  4. Writing - choose writing style. Accuracy, Concise, clear
  5. Layout - Create an attractive document but relevant
  6. Pacakaging and delivery - completing the process
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What questions to consider while considering the “Objective” step of report writing?

A

Purpose?
Context?
What type of doc?
Audience?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What questions to consider while considering the “Content” step of report writing?

A 
Source material? 
Organise my material
Focus on key issues
Structure argument
Identify visual evidence
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What questions to consider while considering the “Packaging and Delivery” step of report writing?

A

Final reflection
Delivery method
Follow-Up

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

3 things Objective consists of?

A
  1. Purpose
  2. Scope
  3. Generic Purpose
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Explain Purpose in objectives ?

A

Framing of question is the most imp. process of all!
Why are you writing this?
a.Why does this issue warrant a report?
b.What will report produce

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Explain Scope in objectives ?

A

What is in and what is out?

Better to deep than broad

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Explain Generic Purpose in objectives ?

A

Why is a report needed?

  1. Monitor operations
  2. Help implement policies
  3. Obtain new funding
  4. Comply w legal funding requirements
  5. Document work progress
  6. Guide decisions on particular issues
  7. Analyse and interpret
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Other reasons for writing reports? (Generic Purpose)

A
  1. To delay a decision that could be taken on available evidence
  2. Add bureaucracy and red tape that already limits us
  3. Provide marginally useful info., for competitiveness
  4. Demonstrate our own abilities as part of a learning programme
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Regardless of reasons/generic purpose must always as yourself and the person who commissioned the docs?

A
  1. What is the general purpose?
  2. Exactly what do you want to know that we already don’t
  3. What is report to achieve
  4. What is scope of report
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What kind of document is needed?

A

See page 21 in notes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Who are the readers?

A

Know the purpose of these readers as they vary.
Keep in mind the important readers
If 2 parallel audiences there may be a conflict to resolve but do not make 2 reports its a waste of time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Who are your secondary readers?

A

Effect on them.

Careful with blame, remarks and justifications

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What do you know about your readers?

A

Attitude, Motivation, level of knowledge, want to know, unfavourable to you?
Don’t overuse TLAs - over frustrating for ppl who are unfamiliar w the subject

17
Q

When you think of readership consider (4 things)?

A

Level in org
Background (attitudes, culture, values)
Views on subject of report
Outlook (subjective/objective)?

18
Q

How to read reports? (8 points)

A 
Not word to word
Title (Topic)
Author (credibility)
How substantial?
Where to start?
This section is interesting
More detail? Look at appendices and signpost them
Agree with the report
19
Q

Details on Content of report.

A
  1. Report must convey something reader doesn’t already know
  2. Report only as good as the factual material within it
  3. Start gathering data early - long process
20
Q

Key factors to consider to gauge amount of research needed?

A
  1. Importance of report
  2. Overall objective
  3. Time/resources available
  4. Level of detail required
21
Q

4 Types of research purposes?

A 
Exploratory
Descriptive
Explanatory
Policy-orientated
May intertwine and find use for all as research progresses
22
Q

Explain Exploratory Research?

A

Might involve a literature search or holding focus groups
To identify key issues/variables so a clear definition of objectives/ exploration of new phenomenon
E.g Research on new management technique

23
Q

Explain Descriptive Research?

A

To accurately describe observations of a phenomenon
Similarities between A and B (A and B are diff. departments in same org)
These descriptive comparisons lead to useful insights and lead to hypothesis-formation
E.g Detailed set of data on the profile of clients

24
Q

Explain Explanatory Research?

A

Looks for explanations on nature of the similarities

See pg.60 in Guidebook for table

25
Q

Explain Policy Orientated Research?

A

reports using this research type focuses on question “How can problem X be solved or prevented?”

26
Q

What mistakes do writers make using the Policy Orientated Research?

A

Same as politicians where they search for a policy and then look for evidence to support it. But :

  1. Requires explanatory level research to back it up in a conclusive manner
  2. Requires a theoretical foundation
27
Q

2 types of Time dimensions in research?

A

Cross-sectional research

Longitudinal Research

28
Q

Explain Cross-sectional research?

A

Data gathered once, during a period of days or months
Mostly exploratory/descriptive in research
Designed to look at things now disregarding the trend in history

29
Q

Explain Longitudinal research?

A

Data collection at multiple points of time
More time consuming and expensive than cross-sectional - but more likely to identify the relationships between variables

30
Q

3 types of Longitudinal research?

A

Trend Study - Population characteristics over time E.g Absentee rates in an org. over a year

Cohort Study - Sub-Population over time E.g Absenteesim rates for sales dept.

Panel Study - Same sample overtime E.g Graduate career tracks over the period 1990-2000 for the same cohort

31
Q

2 Types of research settings?

A

Contrived

Non-Contrived

32
Q

Describe a Contrived setting?

A

Creation of an artificial environment where vents are strictly controlled
Study participants are carefully chosen with manipulated stimuli

33
Q

Describe a Non-Contrived setting?

A

Natural env. where events naturally occur.

E.g Field studies/ Field experiments

34
Q

What is a Field Experiment?

A

Research into a casual relationship set in its’ natural env. with some manipulation of variables.

Communication Skills (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions