Analytical Reports
Analysis and
Illustrating Report Data
Analysis:
Results/Findings
• Report the results of each data
collection method (don’t forget
your client interview)
You’re looking for
• Meanings
• Relationships
• Answers!
Analysis: Results/Findings
– Don’t just regurgitate
data, make
connections
• To the challenge
• Between data sources
(do they correlate?
conflict? reinforce each
other?)
Analysis: Results/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: Evaluation
When applicable:
– Establish criteria to
evaluate alternatives.
– Discuss the pros and
cons of each
alternative.
– Place the recommended
alternative last.
Illustrating Report Data
Discussion
• Bad graphs:
Don McMillan
Illustrating Report Data
• Functions of graphics
• To clarify data
• To condense and simplify data
• To emphasize data
Illustrating 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 Data
• Forms and objectives of graphics
– Bar chart - compare one item with others
Number of Enrollees
Enrollees by Quarter
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
1st Qtr
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr
Illustrating Report Data
• Forms and objectives of graphics
• Line chart - demonstrate changes in
quantitative data over time
Profit 1998-2001
Profit ($M)
100
80
60
Net ($M)
Gross ($M)
40
20
0
1998
1999 2000
2001
Illustrating Report Data
• Forms and objectives of graphics
• Pie chart - visualize a whole unit and the
proportion of its components
Question 2: Service is friendly
Disagree
28%
Agree
13%
Strongly
Agree
18%
Strongly
Disagree
38%
No
Opinion
3%
Illustrating Report Data
• Forms and objectives of graphics
– Flow chart - display a process or procedure
Receive
Test
Repair
Re-box
Re-stock
Floor
Shelves
Ship
Illustrating Report Data
• Forms and objectives of graphics
– Organization chart - define a hierarchy
Charles Eubank
President
William Dixon
Joan Williams
Wayne Lu
Vice President
Sales
Vice President
Design
Vice President
Production
Clarice Brown
John Deleuze
George LaPorte
Manager
Manager
Foreman
Illustrating Report Data
• Forms and objectives of graphics
– Theoretical model – highlight variables and their
relationships
Figure 1 Factors Influencing Cognitive Moral Development in
Undergraduate Business Students
COGNITIVE MORAL DEVELOPMENT
EDUCATION
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
Ethics Across the Curriculum
Gender
University Tenure
(length of exposure to curriculum)
Grade Point Average
(GPA)
Illustrating Report Data
• Forms and objectives of graphics
• Photograph, map, illustration - create
authenticity, spotlight a location, show use
Pie Chart
Figure 1
Revenues by Location
N= 100
North
11%
West
43%
South
17%
East
29%
Pie Chart
• 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 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.
Vertical Bar Chart
Figure 2
2001 MPM INCOME BY DIVISION
Scale
value
Figure number
Figure title
40
Millions of Dollars
$32.2
30
$24.3
$22.0
20
10
0
Theme
Parks
Motion
Pictures
Videos
Source: Industry Profiles (New York: DataPro, 2002), 225.
Scale captions
Source note
Bar 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 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
with Group Comparisons
Figure 2
Cognitive Moral Development Stage By Group
100%
90%
32.14%
80%
39.46%
39.27%
70%
Percent
60%
50%
Post-Conventional
Conventional
38.03%
34.01%
40%
38.14%
30%
20%
29.83%
26.53%
Target Business
Students
Target Non-Business
Students
10%
22.59%
0%
Comparison Business
Students
Pre-Conventional
Stacked Bar with
Group and Time Comparisons
End