Preparing the Factors Section

1. Preparing the Factors Section Discussion of Data Gathered and Your Findings

2. Organize Your Outline • Arrange your topics in the order of importance as described in the report preview (in the Introduction or Overview section). • Organize your sub-factors in order of importance. • Use topic headings for factors • Use either topic or talking headings for sub-factors • Format headings properly

3. Example of headings: • Types of Programs • Absenteeism • Productivity • Morale • Cost

4. Write an introductory topic sentence after each topic heading • This topic sentence should tell the reader what the section will be about. • This topic sentence should include a transition to the first sub-factor. • Each concluding sentence should include a transition to the next sub-factor.

5. PRODUCTIVITY Improved productivity is the primary motivation of most prospective users of flextime (Nollen, 2000). According to a recent study by the International Labour Organization, American workers put in 1,966 hours per person per year. This study maintains that America employs more work hours than can be found in any other industrialized country, including Japan and Europe. However, companies are becoming increasingly aware that these intense work patterns are likely to result in reduced productivity (Singer, 1999). Therefore, the use of flexible work hours is increasing. Flextime can improve production in several ways. Increasing Hours of Operation The implementation of flextime reduces tardiness, extra-long lunches, and paid absences, such as personal days and sick leave, thus increasing the actual hours worked by individuals in an operation. It also reduces idle time spent on the job… Example only - not real data!

6. Include triangulation to generate findings • Identify at least three sources of similar information to corroborate a finding. • For example, with regard to a potential reduction in ABSENTEEISM, discuss at least three articles or instances where absenteeism was reduced in different companies due to implementation of flextime.

7. Triangulate numeric data • FINDING: ABC Company experienced a 15% reduction in turnover • FINDING: XYZ Company reported 5% reduced turnover • FINDING: MJB Company stated that turnover was reduced by 6% • ANALYSIS: The average reduction in turnover reported from the three companies was 8.7% • ANALYSIS: Reductions in turnover ranged from 5 to 15 % • CONCLUSION:This would seem to indicate that Madison Supply Company could experience a reduced turnover rate in the neighborhood of 8% and in a range of from 5 to 15%

8. Identify items for insertion • Include in-text references where required. E.g., (Smith, 2002). • Mark spots where graphics (tables and charts) will appear. • Ensure that there is text introducing all graphics, and text following all graphics that discusses the points to be derived from the graphic.

9. … When employee preference is considered, morale increases. The preference employees have for flexible scheduling over traditional fixed hours can be seen below in Table 1. Table 1: Flextime vs. Fixed Hours Source: Primary The table above illustrates the preference of Madison Supply Company’s employees for flexible schedules and fixed schedules. It illustrates that 95% of … Example only

10. PROOF YOUR DRAFT • Read your draft for CONTENT • Ask yourself if it makes the case for the conclusions that you will reach • Polish the grammar as you read • Don’t forget, you’ll probably proof a paper five or six times before you catch most mistakes

11. Other Tips • Continue to share data with your research group teammates • Write something each day, don’t save it all for the last minute • Ask a friend to help you proof it for content – does your data “make the case” to them?

12. Just Do It.