Guidelines for Reasoning through an Analytical Problem
100
Designed to attack a problem at it's source, this type of analysis answers questions like this: Why do so many apparently healthy people have sudden heart attacks?
What is a causal analysis?
100
To arrive at the truth of the matter, you need to see clearly. Do not let this fog up the real picture.
What is bias?
100
This section of a report describes and explains the findings of the study. It should present a clear and detailed picture of the evidence, interpretations, and reasoning.
What is the body?
100
For a causal analysis the link between the cause and this "E" word should be very clear.
What is effect?
200
Designed to assess the practicality of an idea or plan, this type of analysis answers questions such as this: Should healthy young adults be encouraged to receive genetic testing to measure their susceptibility to various diseases?
What is a feasibility analysis?
200
Graphs, tables, charts, photographs, and diagrams may help to convey a point. It is important to accompany each visual with a fully interpreted one of these.
What is a story or meaning?
200
This should be the first page of a report.
What is the title page?
200
For a comparative analysis, in order to be fair, the treatment of each item should be this "B" word.
What is balanced?
300
Designed to rate competing items on the basis of specific criteria, this type of analysis answers questions like this: Which type of security program should we install on our company's computer system?
What is comparative analysis?
300
The data presented in an analysis should be adequate but not this.
What is excessive?
300
This section of a report engages and orients the audience and provides background as briefly as possible for the situation.
What is the introduction?
300
For a feasibility analysis, the course of action you recommend should be this "R" word.
What is realistic?
400
Since a single problem may fall into more than one category, analytical categories often do this?
What is overlap?
400
Every analysis should use data to support a valid one of these.
What is a conclusion?
400
This section of a report will likely interest readers more than other sections because it answers the questions that originally sparked the analysis.
What is the conclusion?
400
For any analysis, this "E" word should be given to the most important points.