Key Terms:

• Analysis –  In analysis, gathered data is examined and organized so those who are less familiar with technical details can be guided through the data. Analysis can also help uncover patterns and trends in data.
• Analytical Reports – Those used to help make a decision (e.g., whether to hire more people, expand a product line, etc.)
• Interviews – conversations, typically in small groups, where one party asks questions of another. Interviews are usually conducted in person, between two people (the person asking questions and the person answering them); however, these can also take place over the phone and may involve multiple parties.
• Informational Reports – Those used to inform people throughout the organization about something of importance.
• Observations – the researcher watches something and records what they see. It is important to avoid influencing whatever you’re watching.
• Primary Research – defined as research you collect yourself. This type of research is done to fill in gaps found during secondary research review.
• Surveys – typically written documents that are sent out to individuals to fill out. Surveys are more rigid than interviews, as an interviewer can change their planned questions based on the subject’s responses. Surveys, however, are pre-written and can only respond in limited anticipated ways.
• Research –  the process of finding the information needed to answer your research question and then deriving or building the answer from the information you found.
• Research Question – the statement of the thing you don’t know that motivates your research.
• Research writing – the process of sharing the answer to your research question along with the evidence on which your answer is based, the sources you use, and your own reasoning and explanation.
• Secondary research – is gathering information from other people’s primary research.
• Primary research – is usually defined as research you collect yourself.
• Qualitative data are data that are generally non-numeric and require context, time, or variance to have meaning or utility.
• Quantitative data are data that are numeric and therefore largely easier to understand.

Study Questions: 

SQ1 – What are the components of research writing?

Research means searching for the answer to your research question and compiling the information you find in a useful and meaningful way. In true research-based writing, you begin with a research question and go hunt for the answer.

SQ2 – How is research conducted and what are some of its forms?

Business reports are true, concise, and simple ways to help others make decisions. When writing an effective business report, the research process should contain at least 6 steps towards evaluating, developing, conducting, collecting, and citing/analyzing data. Research contains internal and external factors that aid in constructing business reports and can be factored into two separate categories: primary and secondary research.

SQ3 – What is the American Psychological Association (APA) style of citation? Why is it important and why do we use it?

APA formatting sections include the Title Page, Abstract, Body, Subsections within the body with headings, Tables and Figures, and References. These sections have specific formatting guidelines per APA style. More importantly, APA style is used in business to create credibility for business documents, follow ethical guidelines the company has set, and employ further research understanding.