A business report writer should always carefully document report data for four reasons. List and ...

Answer to #1

Four reasons for documenting data:
1 ) To strengthen your argument: Including good data from reputable sources will convince readers of your credibility and the logic of your reasoning.
2 ) To protect yourself against charges of plagiarism: Acknowledging your sources keeps you honest. Plagiarism, which is illegal and unethical, is the act of using others' ideas without proper documentation.
3 ) To instruct the reader: Citing references enables readers to pursue a topic further and to make use of the information themselves.
4 )
To save time: The world of business moves so quickly that words and ideas must often be borrowed-which is very acceptable when you give credit to your sources.



Types of information to document:

1 ) Another person's ideas, opinions, examples, or theories
2 ) Any facts, statistics, graphs, and drawings that are not common knowledge
3 ) Quotations of another's actual spoken or written words
4 ) Paraphrases of another person's spoken or written words
5 ) Visuals, images, and any kind of electronic media

Answer to #2



Secondary Data: Secondary data come from reading what others have experienced and observed. Secondary data are easier and cheaper to develop than primary data; therefore, nearly every research project should begin with collecting secondary data.

Examples: books, periodicals (print and Web-based), indexes, research databases, Web



Primary Data: Primary data result from firsthand experience and observation. Business reports that solve specific current problems typically rely on primary, firsthand data.

Examples: surveys, interviews, observations, experiments

Answer to #3

Assume that all intellectual property is copyrighted. Nearly everything created privately and originally after 1989 is copyrighted and protected whether or not it has a copyright notice.
Realize that Internet items and resources are NOT in the public domain. No modern intellectual or artistic creation is in the public domain (free to be used by anyone) unless the owner explicitly says so.
Observe fair-use restrictions. Be aware of the four-factor test. Avoid appropriating large amounts of outside material.
Ask for permission. You are always safe if you obtain permission. Write to the source, identify the material you wish to include, and explain where it will be used. Expect to pay for permission.
Don't assume that a footnote is all that is needed. Including a footnote to a source prevents plagiarism but not copyright infringement. Anything copied beyond the boundaries of fair use requires permission.


Answer to #4

Informational reports: Reports that present data without analysis or recommendations are informational. For such reports, writers collect and organize facts, but they do not analyze the facts for readers.

Example: A report describing a new company social media policy



Analytical reports: Reports that provide data, analyses, and conclusions are analytical. If requested, writers also supply recommendations. Analytical reports may intend to persuade readers to act or to change their beliefs.
Example: A report written to one's supervisor recommending that the department implement a flexible work schedule

Answer to #5

Organization