DOC670 Trident University Blacklisted Houston Background Analysis

Module 2 – SLP

Designing the Study and Assessment of the Research Context

Now that you have described the context for your research and provided a description of the secondary data available for that firm, you will now begin to mine that data. As an example, the United Way of Orange County was selected to demonstrate some use of Excel for your background analysis. For nonprofits, there is a database listed in the secondary sources list that has the financial report forms 990 listed for the nonprofits. This data is used in a running analysis for the United Way of Orange County.

If you need an Excel refresher, here are some resources to help you:

Brown, N., Lave, B., Romey, J., Schatz, M., & Shingledecker, D. (2018) Beginning Excel. OpenOregon, Creative Commons License. Retrieved from https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/beginningexcel/.

Harvey, G. (2016). Excel 2016 all-in-one for dummies [Books24x7 version]. John Wiley & Sons. Available in the Trident Online Library: Follow these instructions for Finding Skillsoft Books. Enter 112925 in the search bar.

Harvey, G. (2016). Chapter 10: Charming charts and gorgeous graphics. In Excel 2016 for dummies [Books24x7 version]. John Wiley & Sons. Available in the Trident Online Library: Follow these instructions for Finding Skillsoft Books. Enter 117498 in the search bar.

In Figure 3 below is the Excel Chart done for the United Way of Orange County showing how the spreadsheet was set up. (Click on the image below to open the file.)

Figure 3.

Using this as a model and using the secondary data you found on your firm, produce a background analysis on the firm that shows some pertinent information in the spreadsheet along with charts to show the impact this firm is having in the area or the competitive space in which it is located. This is your unique perspective on the firm you have selected for the dissertation, and you will put this in the appendix ultimately as background on your firm. This, along with the Introduction you developed in SLP 1, will be the second part of the Background Analysis for your firm that will go in the Appendix of the dissertation. Integrate the spreadsheet and graphical analysis into your Module 2 SLP.

SLP Assignment Expectations

Your assignment will be graded using the following criteria:

Assignment-Driven Criteria: Student demonstrates mastery covering all key elements of the assignment.

Critical Thinking/Application to Professional Practice: Student demonstrates mastery conceptualizing the problem and analyzing information. Conclusions are logically presented and applied to professional practice in an exceptional manner.

Business Writing and Quality of References: Student demonstrates mastery and proficiency in written communication and use of appropriate and relevant literature at the doctoral level.

Citing Sources: Student demonstrates mastery applying APA formatting standards to both in text citations and the reference list.

Professionalism and Timeliness: Assignments are submitted on time.

Module 2 – Background

Designing the Study and Assessment of the Research Context

Required Reading

Chapters 1 and 2 in:
Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D., & Stavros, J. M. (2008). Appreciative inquiry handbook: For leaders of change. Oakland, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishing. Available in the Trident Online Library: Follow these instructions for Finding Skillsoft Books. Enter 36089 in the search bar.

Preface in:
Dean, S., & Illowsky, B. (2014). Collaborative Statistics. Connexions: Rice University. Creative Commons License 3.0. Retrieved from https://cnx.org/contents/[email protected]:LnCgyaMt@17/Preface

Chapter 1 in:
Dean, S., & Illowsky, B. (2014). Collaborative Statistics. Connexions: Rice University. Creative Commons License 3.0. Retrieved from https://cnx.org/contents/[email protected]:AkLGjuVA@15/Video-Lecture-1-Sampling-and-Data

Chapter 1 in:
Goodyear, L., Barela, E., Jewiss, J., & Usinger, J. (2014). Qualitative inquiry in evaluation: From theory to practice. Jossey-Bass: Hoboken, NJ. Available in the Trident Online Library: Follow these instructions for Finding Skillsoft Books. Enter 80713 in the search bar.

Chapters 3 and 4 in:
Ng, W., & Coakes, E. (2014). Business research: Enjoy creating, developing and writing your business project. Krogan Page: London, UK. Available in the Trident Online Library: Follow these instructions for Finding Skillsoft Books. Enter 58388 in the search bar.

Chapter 1 in:
Phillips, P.P., Phillips, J.J., & Aaron, B. (2013). Survey basics. Association for Talent Development. Available in the Trident Online Library: Follow these instructions for Finding Skillsoft Books. Enter 53520 in the search bar.

Stockberger, D. (2016). Introductory statistics: Concepts, models, and applications. Missouri State. Retrieved from http://www.psychstat.missouristate.edu/introbook/sbk19.htm

Chapters 3, 4, and 14 in:
Swanson, R. A., & Holton, E. F. (2005). Research in organizations: Foundations and methods of inquiry. Berrett-Koehler Publishers: Oakland, CA. Available in the Trident Online Library: Follow these instructions for Finding Skillsoft Books. Enter 11859 in the search bar.

Chapters 4 and 5 in:
Walker, S. (2012). Employee engagement & communication research: Measurement, strategy, & action. Krogan Page: London, UK. Available in the Trident Online Library: Follow these instructions for Finding Skillsoft Books. Enter 47012 in the search bar.

Excel Resources

Brown, N., Lave, B., Romey, J., Schatz, M., & Shingledecker, M. (2018) Beginning Excel. OpenOregon, Creative Commons License. Retrieved from https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/beginningexcel/ and https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/beginningexcel/front-matter/introduction/

ExcellsFun. (2016, May 20). Highline Excel 2016 class 15: Excel charts to visualize data: Comprehensive lesson 11 chart examples [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLmtGk7Ymy8&t=2003s

Chapters 1 and 2 in:
Harvey, G. (2016). Excel 2016 for Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. Available in the Trident Online Library: Follow these instructions for Finding Skillsoft Books. Enter 117498 in the search bar.

Book II: Chapters 1–4 and
Book V: Chapter 1 in:
Harvey, G. (2016). Excel 2016 All-in-One For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. Available in the Trident Online Library: Follow these instructions for Finding Skillsoft Books. Enter 112925 in the search bar.

Kaceli, S. (2016, January 24). Excel 2016 Tutorial: A comprehensive guide on Excel for anyone
[Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lXerL3DHRw. Note: This video runs for 2 hours.

Video Material

BSC Designer. (2012, December 2). Best practice tips for creating key performance indicators [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91SKwBX419k

ProfKLJ. (2009, January 28). Understanding variables & indicators [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xc20ag_ckM

Daigle, D. (2014, June 5). Operationalization of concepts [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36UZ9rKSa90

comresearch224. (2014, July 9). Conceptualization, operationalization, units of analysis, levels of measurement [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaqUzUFHgUg

Eveland, J. D. (2017, October 15). Diagramming research models [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LevvMIug5fE&feature=youtu.be