Running Head: MOCK DATA ANALYSIS 1 Mock Data Analysis MOCK DATA ANALYSIS 2 Feedback from instructor: you need to include more than just descriptives. I need to see your actual regression analysis or ANOVA... include the RQs and hypotheses followed with the actual analysis. Mock Data Analysis The data from the mock study will be used to identify how communication gaps impact strategy and technology consulting firms through the use of the independent and dependent variables. The instrument selected for the study is the Organizational Culture Inventory (OCI). A questionnaire distributed to team members and managers in a random sample from a medium sized strategy and technology consulting firm utilizing a modified OCI served as the instrumentation method for the study. The questionnaire consisted of questions derived from the behavioral norms within each of the three types of organizational cultures, (Hagen, 2014). Each question was entered into SPSS and the answers listed as the independent variable. The questionnaire included multiple choice questions, which include the independent and dependent variables. Data was entered into SPSS using the Shapiro-Wilk test to ensure normal distribution of the data was present. The independent variable for the study includes the type of information such as email, phone calls, and written memos as types of communication. The dependent variable is the number of completed projects on time and the number of accurately completed projects with little to no guidance required. Variables are represented by numerical values for communication type to create numerical representations in the frequency distribution table. The data entered into SPSS meets the assumptions for the analysis because of how the variables were entered into SPSS. The independent variables for the study include the type of information (email, phone calls, and memos) and the dependent variable is the number of MOCK DATA ANALYSIS 3 completed projects on time and the number of accurately completed projects. The confidence level is .95 to capture an accurate result of the number of people who agree or disagree that communication gaps cause a negative impact to an organization. The following tables depict the results of the frequency distribution and normality when applying the dependent and independent variables from the mock study. The independent variables for the communication gap study includes the type of information: email, phone calls, and written memos. The dependent variable in the study is the number of completed projects on time and the number of accurately completed projects with little to no guidance. The data was created in SPSS using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Table 1 displays the valid and missing cases, none of which were missing since only valid cases were used for the mock study. The dependent variable row displays the number of cases entered with completed survey data. The Accuracy of Completion and Complete Projects on Time with Little Guidance are the dependent variables. The data represents the number of projects that were completed on time as well as the accuracy of the projects completed. The dependent variables display results of project information as it relates to communication. Table 1 Completed projects on time frequency distribution MOCK DATA ANALYSIS 4 Table 2 below displays the mean with the 95% confidence level. The resulting median of three means the median number of participants selected email as the primary means of communication in the strategy and technology consulting firm. This aligns with the company's policy of using email and phone calls as the preferred method of communication. The selections in the multiple choice questions were: 1. 2. 3. 4. Phone Calls Emails Instant Messaging Written Memos This means the variance of 1.333 shows most employees use phone calls as their preferred means of communication. Those methods of communication contribute to the number of projects employees are able to complete on time with little guidance. This information will help management determine if the company's policy on communication methods should change. The company is considering investing in collaboration software with built in instant messaging, a capability to allow for real time collaboration on files and documents, and tracking to see which employees contributed to the work. Employees are MOCK DATA ANALYSIS skeptical but willing to try the new software because written memos are a slow means for communication in a fast-paced company. Table 2 Descriptives Table 3 below displays a histogram of the frequency of communication and communication type. The variables were completed using values of 1, 2, 3, and 4 for the 5 MOCK DATA ANALYSIS 6 communication type and 1 and 2 for the completed project with little guidance and accuracy of the frequency of completed projects. The method selected to present the information comes from executing a frequency distribution tale using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The completed questionnaire included multiple choice questions and one open-ended question. The data presented from this table was filled with samples from the data. The data was pulled from the answers from the questionnaire after collecting the data from the firm. Management in the firm was asked to distribute the questionnaires to the employees with a one week turnaround for completing and submitting their answers. This method of delivery removed any bias on the part of the researcher, which may have influenced the data. The histogram depicts a mean of 2.33 for the communication type, which would be somewhere between email and instant messaging as the communication type more commonly used among employees. The questionnaire included questions how employees communicate with customers, team members, and management under typical work conditions. The results were used to determine employees prefer email and instant messaging over phone calls and emails as a way of communicating. Table 2 displays detailed results and the statistics for the confidence level of the mean whereas table 3 provides a better visual through the bar chart of how employees preferred email, instant messaging, and written communication as preferred methods of communicating to complete projects on time with little guidance Table 3 MOCK DATA ANALYSIS 7 . Conclusion The results of the study will help management at the firm make a decision to introduce a new means of communicating at the firm for employees and management. The proposed collaboration software will offer traceability through version control of every document posted through a secure web portal. The firm may decide to add the new tool based upon the results of this study. The reliability of the study will include a test-retest form, which compares responses from the same participants at different times, (Hagan, 2014). The questionnaire will be administered to the same participants within a six month to one year period in between to allow MOCK DATA ANALYSIS 8 the participants to forget their original answers in between time periods so they can provide answers with a fresh mind. The scores should be dependable and consistent when comparing both responses. The significance of the findings is that the firm will have a better understanding of which means of communication help employees complete projects on time with little management oversight. The firm considered offering an option to telework one day a week for employees as long as they had the means to communicate effectively with no communication gap so they could stay in touch with other team members and management. The study partially supported the hypothesis that email is an excellent means of communication in strategy and technology consulting firms. The study did not fully support the hypothesis because written memos and instant messaging also contributed to preferred means of communication. MOCK DATA ANALYSIS Reference Hagan, Teresa L. (2014). Measurements in quantitative research: How to select and report on research instruments. Oncology Nursing Forum, 41(4), 431-3. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1542877176?accountid=35812 9