Analytical Analytical ReportsReports

Analysis and Illustrating Report Data

Analysis: Analysis: Results/FindingsResults/Findings

• Report the results of each data collection method (don’t forget your client interview)

You’re looking for

• Meanings

• Relationships

• Answers!

Analysis: Analysis: Results/FindingsResults/Findings

– Don’t just regurgitate data, make connections

• To the challenge

• Between data sources (do they correlate? conflict? reinforce each other?)

Analysis: Analysis: Results/FindingsResults/Findings

• To clarify, condense, simplify, or emphasize data use:

– Headings

– Enumerations

– Lists

– Tables

– Graphics

• When you use graphics, remember to also explain them

in words.

Analysis: EvaluationAnalysis: Evaluation

When applicable:

– Establish criteria to evaluate alternatives.

– Discuss the pros and cons of each alternative.

– Place the recommended alternative last.

Illustrating Report DataIllustrating Report Data

DiscussionDiscussion

• Bad graphs: Don McMillan

• Functions of graphics• To clarify data• To condense and simplify data• To emphasize data

Illustrating Report DataIllustrating Report Data

• Forms and objectives of graphics– Table - to show exact figures and values

Class Agree Disagree Undecided

Seniors 738 123 54

Juniors 345 34 76

Sophomores 123 234 78

Freshmen 45 567 123

Illustrating Report DataIllustrating Report Data

• Forms and objectives of graphics– Bar chart - compare one item with others

Illustrating Report DataIllustrating Report Data

Enrollees by Quarter

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

Num

ber

of

Enro

llees

• Forms and objectives of graphics• Line chart - demonstrate changes in

quantitative data over time

Illustrating Report DataIllustrating Report Data

Profit 1998- 2001

0

20

40

60

80

100

1998 1999 2000 2001

Profi

t ($

M)

Net ($M)

Gross ($M)

• Forms and objectives of graphics• Pie chart - visualize a whole unit and the

proportion of its components

Illustrating Report DataIllustrating Report Data

Question 2: Service is friendly

Strongly Agree18%

Agree13%

No Opinion

3%

Strongly Disagree

38%

Disagree28%

• Forms and objectives of graphics– Flow chart - display a process or procedure

Illustrating Report DataIllustrating Report Data

Receive Test

Floor

Shelves Ship

Re-box Re-stock

Repair

• Forms and objectives of graphics– Organization chart - define a hierarchy

Illustrating Report DataIllustrating Report Data

Clarice Brow nMan ag er

W illiam DixonVice P resid en t

Sales

John DeleuzeMan ag er

Joan W illiam sVice P resid en t

Desig n

George LaPorteF orem an

W ayne LuVice P resid en t

P rod u ction

Charles EubankPresid en t

Illustrating Report DataIllustrating Report Data

• Forms and objectives of graphics– Theoretical model – highlight variables and their

relationships

U niversity Tenure(length o f exposure to curricu lum)

E th ics Across the C urricu lum

EDU CA T ION

G rade Po in t Average(G PA)

G ender

INDIV IDU AL CHA RA CT ER IST ICS

COGNIT IV E MORAL DEV ELOP MENT

Figure 1 Factors Influencing Cognitive Moral Development in Undergraduate Business Students

• Forms and objectives of graphics• Photograph, map, illustration - create

authenticity, spotlight a location, show use

Illustrating Report DataIllustrating Report Data

Pie ChartPie ChartFigure 1

Revenues by Location

North11%

South17%

East29%

West43%

N= 100

• Use pie charts to show a whole and the proportion of its components.

• Generally begin at the 12 o’clock position, drawing the largest wedge first. Computer software programs, however, may vary in placement of wedges.

• Include the label and percentage or absolute value for each wedge. Avoid legends.

Pie ChartPie Chart

• Use four to eight segments for best results; if necessary, group small portions into one wedge called “Other.”

• Distinguish wedges with color, shading, or crosshatching.

• Keep all labels horizontal.

Pie ChartPie Chart

Vertical Bar ChartVertical Bar Chart

40

30

20

10

0

Scalevalue

Scale captions

Source note

Mill

ions

of

D

olla

rs

Source: Industry Profiles (New York: DataPro, 2002), 225.

ThemeParks

MotionPictures

Videos

$22.0

$32.2

$24.3

Figure 2 Figure number

2001 MPM INCOME BY DIVISION Figure title

Bar ChartsBar Charts• Bar charts make visual comparisons.

They can compare related items, illustrate changes in data over time, and show segments as parts of wholes.

• Bar charts may be vertical, horizontal, grouped, or segmented.

• Avoid showing too much information, clutter, and confusion

• Avoid 3-D graphics (hard to read)

Bar ChartsBar Charts• The length of each bar and segment

should be proportional.• Dollar or percentage amounts should

start at zero.• Set background to clear.• Include figure#, chart, and axis titles• Avoid legends where possible to

include labels on the graph• Use simple color or pattern

differentiations that can be copied in black & white and still understood.

Stacked Bar Stacked Bar with Group Comparisonswith Group ComparisonsFigure 2Cognitive Moral Development Stage By Group

29.83% 26.53% 22.59%

38.03%34.01% 38.14%

32.14%39.46% 39.27%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Target BusinessStudents

Target Non-BusinessStudents

Comparison BusinessStudents

Pe

rce

nt Post-Conventional

Conventional

Pre-Conventional

Stacked Bar with Stacked Bar with Group and Time Group and Time

ComparisonsComparisons

EndEnd