A TEN PAGE (DOUBLE SPACED, MLA FORMAT, 0% PLAGERISM) ANALYTICAL BUSINESS REPORT for Business communications

The Topic I am choosing is:

Recruiting, Managing, and retaining Millennial Employees: It is common knowledge that today’s college graduates are different from those who came before them. The distinctive traits of “Gen Y” or “Millennial” employees have been well documented. Your boss, the owner of a small but growing software development company (you can decide what type of software), thinks his managers and recruiters need a better understanding of this generation. He asks you, one of his more accomplished young employees, to review the literature on Gen Y employees and write him a report in which you describe the main traits of this segment of the workforce and recommend ways to recruit, manage, and retain them. He’ll share this report, or parts of it, with his managers, who are Gen Xers and Baby Boomers.

Problem-Solving Research Reports: The Process

The purpose of problem-solving reports is to provide decision makers with data to solve business problems (Rentz 274-275). Some problems are recurring and call for a steady flow of information; other problems might be unique and call for information on a one-time basis (Lehman), focusing on helping decision-makers figure out a course of action to take (Rentz).

Following are the steps used for finding a solution:

1. Recognize and define the problem and purpose.
2. Select the method of data/information collection.
3. Collect, organize and objectively analyze the data and document the sources.
4. Arrive at a conclusion and/or recommendation for action.

Although the direct order is usually best for an assigned problem-solving report (Rentz 252-253) it would be best if your readers arrive at the conclusion and recommendation after a logical review of your analysis; therefore, you will organize your report in the indirect order (Rentz 253-254). Presenting the supporting data before the recommendation prepares any resistant readers to accept your solution to the report problem/opportunity (Rentz 254).

Planning Phase:

• Recognize and define the problem and purpose. Use the Problem-Solving Approach for planning your communication strategy (Exhibit 1-5, page 18) to define the problem/opportunity/need related to your chosen topic. In your completed report, the problem and purpose statements will be an essential component of the report’s introduction and executive summary; they will orient your readers and let them know where your report is headed.
  • The problem statement provides a clear description of the situation that is to be solved by the research. Problem statements are generally written as declarative statements (Rentz 201).
  • The purpose statement is the goal of the study and includes the objectives you want to accomplish. Write this statement as an infinitive phrase (Rentz 201).
    • Example: The topic of your report requires you to evaluate the effectiveness of an online education for business majors. The problem statement might read “Effectiveness of online education for business majors.” Your purpose statement may be written like this: “The purpose of this report is to determine if an online education can be effective for business majors.”
  • Select the method of data/information collection. The research methods you use to collect the necessary information can be secondary, primary, or both (Chapter 8).
    • Secondary research provides information that has already been published in resources such as periodicals, brochures, books, digital publications and Web sites. Conduct this research to determine if you need to engage in primary research.
    • Primary research is new information you gather firsthand through the use of experiments, surveys, interviews, and other methods of direct observation.
  • Collect, organize and analyze the data and document the sources.
    • Analyzing your readers is an excellent planning technique. Make a list of pertinent facts. Brainstorming (generating possible solutions) will allow you to determine the factors/sub-topics you need to investigate (See Chapters 2 and 8).
    • Create an outline of these factors/sub-topics to help you remain focused on the problem and purpose.
    • A crucial part of ethical, honest research writing is documenting and referencing the secondary research sources fairly and accurately to avoid plagiarism (Bonus Chapter D). For this report, you will use MLA Style documentation of sources. Refer to the Research Report links to the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) and the video tutorial for generating in-text citations and a Works Cited page using Microsoft Word.
  • Arrive at the conclusion and/or recommendations for action.

Writing Phase:

• Avoid perfectionism when drafting. Don’t try to make your first draft perfect as it makes drafting frustrating and slow and may make you forget important pieces.
• Just keep going. Don’t let minor problems with wording and grammar distract you from your main goal when turning your planning into a draft. Just get the ideas down on paper or into your computer. Save detailed examination and evaluation of your report for the revision stage. Set aside time for drafting, preferably at your most productive time of day…write in chunks, start with a favorite part, talk aloud to clarify your thoughts, TAKE BREAKS!

Revising Phase:

• Go back over your draft carefully-again and again. Do you say what you mean? Could someone misunderstand or take offense? Challenge yourself to look for better alternatives of structuring your sentences.
  • Make sure the organization is logical and as effective as possible.
• Focus in this stage is on your style.
  • Use the writing strategies learned in Chapter 4 to ensure you are communicating clearly, completely, efficiently, and engagingly.
  • Format headings appropriately.
  • Ensure sources are documented appropriately.
• Writing mechanics and grammar elements are the focus of this stage.
  • Use your word processing program to check for spelling errors, typography, punctuation, and grammar.
  • Get feedback from others-preferably someone proficient with writing mechanics and grammar elements, and who does not know anything about your topic to ensure objective feedback.
  • Analytical Research Report RUBRIC (SU2019)

    Analytical Research Report (SU2019)

    Criteria	Ratings	Pts
    This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePrefatory Pages-Title Fly, Title Page (10 pts)	10.0 to >8.0 pts Distinguished Both pages are included in the report. The title page includes the title, prepared for and by information, and appropriate date. 8.0 to >6.0 pts Moderate Both pages are included in the report. The title page is missing two of the required components and/or date is incorrect. 6.0 to >0 pts Non-performance to Basic One or both of the pages are not included in the report.	10.0 pts
    This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePrefatory Pages-Executive Summary (25 pts)	25.0 to >21.0 pts Distinguished The Executive Summary includes essential/basic information about the report (origin and purpose); key facts and major analyses for information presented; all the conclusions and recommendations. Is no more than an eighth as long as the writing it summarizes. 21.0 to >16.0 pts Moderate The Executive Summary section is included in the report, but it does not include two or more of the requirements:essential/basic information about the report (origin and purpose); key facts and major analyses for information presented; all the conclusions and recommendations. Is more than an eighth as long as the writing it summarizes. 16.0 to >0 pts Non-performance to Basic The Executive Summary section is not included in the report.	25.0 pts
    This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReport Proper-Introduction (Problem/Need/Background,Purpose, sources/methods,structure) (25 pts)	25.0 to >21.0 pts Distinguished Introduction section includes all of the following necessary components: a statement of the problem or need that is to be solved by the research; any relevant background that explains the problem or need;a statement of purpose (aims or objectives of researcher); preview of primary and secondary sources used; method (procedures used) to gather the primary and secondary sources; list of definitions/initialisms/acronyms; and, structure/report preview of how the report will be presented-what topics will be taken up first, second, third, etc.; and the reasons for following the plan 21.0 to >16.0 pts Moderate Introduction section does not include three or more of the necessary components: a statement of the problem or need that is to be solved by the research; any relevant background that explains the problem or need;a statement of purpose (aims or objectives of researcher); preview of primary and secondary source used; method (procedures used) to gather the primary and secondary sources; structure/report preview of how the report will be presented-what topics will be taken up first, second, third, etc.; and the reasons for following the plan 16.0 to >0 pts Non-performance to Basic Does not clearly and concisely state the problem/need; purpose; scope/limitations; sources/methods; definitions; and structure. Writing is plagiarized.	25.0 pts
    This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReport Proper-Results of the Study (60 pts)	60.0 to >50.0 pts Distinguished Presents the findings of at least one primary and three secondary sources OBJECTIVELY, using an appropriate organizational plan (Ch 8) with logical and parallel headings; using proper MLA documentation with appropriate and accurate paraphrasing and summarizing; follows the coherence plan of the long report (Ch D); and follows the guidelines for use of figures and tables (Ch 3). 50.0 to >39.0 pts Moderate Presents the findings of only secondary research using an appropriate organizational plan (Ch 8) with logical and parallel headings; using proper MLA documentation with appropriate and accurate paraphrasing and summarizing; follows the coherence plan of the long report (Ch D); and follows the guidelines for use of figures and tables (Ch 3). 39.0 to >0 pts Non-performance to Basic Does not: present the findings at least one primary and three secondary sources for research using proper MLA documentation; use an organizational plan with logical/parallel headings; appropriately reference figures, illustrations, and/or appendices. Writing is plagiarized.	60.0 pts
    This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReport Proper-Conclusion(s) (20 pts)	20.0 to >17.0 pts Distinguished The conclusion section objectively summarizes the conclusions previously drawn in Results Section based on the research; and logically tells what the findings mean. 17.0 to >13.0 pts Moderate The conclusion section does not summarizes the conclusions previously drawn in Results Section based on the research; and does not logically tell what the findings mean. 13.0 to >0 pts Non-performance to Basic Does not include a conclusion section or writing is plagiarized.	20.0 pts
    This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReport Proper-Recommendations (20 pts)	20.0 to >17.0 pts Distinguished The recommendations section applies the conclusions to the original problem/need; presents the suggestions for action (recommendation). Uses active words and parallelism. 17.0 to >13.0 pts Moderate The recommendations section does not clearly apply the conclusions to the original problem/need; presents the suggestions for action (recommendation). Does not use active words and/or parallelism. 13.0 to >0 pts Non-performance to Basic Does not include a recommendation section or writing is plagiarized.	20.0 pts
    This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWorks Cited and Appendix Documents Using MLA Style (20 pts)	20.0 to >17.0 pts Distinguished Works Cited page uses proper MLA style format; lists all references cited in the text (minimum of three); and, cites all references in the narrative of the report. Appendix includes a sample of the survey or transcription of personal interview and labeled appropriately. 17.0 to >13.0 pts Moderate Works Cited page does not meet proper MLA style format; lists all references cited in the text (minimum of three); but, does not cite all references in the narrative of the report. Appendix is not included. 13.0 to >0 pts Non-performance to Basic Does not include a Works Cited source page using appropriate MLA format and/or does not include an Appendix for primary source data gathering	20.0 pts
    This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting Mechanics/Tone and Document Formatting (20 pts)	20.0 to >17.0 pts Distinguished Writing demonstrates a sophisticated clarity, conciseness, correctness, positive tone, sentence/paragraph structure based on Supplemental Chapter B and Chapter 4 of textbook. Document formatting meets all requirements. Report proper meets 10 double-spaced page requirement. 17.0 to >13.0 pts Moderate Writing lacks some clarity or conciseness and contains some errors. Document formatting meets most requirements. Report proper does not meet page requirement of 10 double-spaced pages; 1 point deduction per missing page). 13.0 to >0 pts Basic to Non-performance Writing is plagiarized. Document format did not meet most or all of the requirements.	20.0 pts
    Total Points: 200.0