Inquiring Minds want to know - Assignment Example

This is far more than what numbers can suggest as the supplementary text allows the reader to understand why the research was conducted (the problem recognition) along with the potential shortcomings of the study (Baer, Smith, Hopkins, Krietemeyer, & Toney, 2006). It further aids the comprehension of statistics and quantifiable metrics. In the words of one author, the use of text allows researchers to provide background information and highlight major trends from the research. The statistical information would be presented in this case by starting from the broader background (problem recognition) and ending with specific details.

This is usually used in most research reports that begin with broader context (goals and objectives of research) and end up with specific findings and recommendations. A useful tool for representing statistical data would be drawing a “five number summary” on a chart known as the box-plot. The spread in customers’ responses shall be indicated and enable the decision maker interpret the inquiry method towards which customers are skewed. Bar charts can be used to convey values through a scaled axis and make comparison easier along a multitude of dimensions.

For instance, two parallel bar charts could be constructed for 1992 and 1997 depicting the inquiry methods used. Next, a pie chart could be extremely useful to depict the responses of the primary research conducted through 676 respondents. Apart from being visually appealing, pie charts allow the percentage of total held by each category, thereby making it easier to assess its contribution towards the total ‘pie’ (Iversen, Gergen, & Gergen, 1997). For instance, the ‘forecasted’ use of internet by respondents during next five years could be compared with the use of internet during the past year using two separate pie charts.

Multiple bar charts would also be extremely useful in depicting data pertaining to the “newer inquiry methods” including Web-visits, fax-on-demand and email. These charts would allow the decision maker to not only compare the data within each class but also across classes (Francis, 2008). Furthermore, the data in this case is overlapping and not mutually exclusive. For instance, the use of e-mail (as an inquiry method) in the next five years by 73.7% of the respondents does not mean that these individuals are ‘not’ included in the 72.

2% of respondents that will visit the website. In other words, it is highly possible that respondents using e-mail may “also” visit the web and vice versa. This necessitates using multiple bar charts as, unlike bar charts or pie charts, a ‘total’ is not required here. Since the decision maker is concerned more about drawing the comparison than looking at the respective proportions per se this method of representing data would be highly useful. As far as the data of respondents using telephone as an inquiry method for immediate needs and mail for non-immediate needs is concerned, tables would be the most effective way of representing data.

Tables have, since long, been considered as one of the most effective way of displaying data. They enable the decision make