Obtaining information for effective management

Information overload is happening more and more these days so choosing the right information to help you manage is a skill in itself.

For anyone who has to gather, analyse, interpret and use information as a key part of their role.

The value of valid, accurate and timely information to the organisation
Basic means of data collection – questions, observation, surveys, source records
Basic questioning techniques
How to prepare and use surveys and questionnaires
Constraints on the availability of and access to data, including legal issues
How to validate data and information
Means of determining the value (validity, accuracy, efficiency, effectiveness) of information sources
Internal sources – documentation, standard reports, etc.
External published sources (inc. Government statistics)
Accessing the internet, use of search engines, usefulness of web-based materials
Obtaining information from the internet employing Boolean search terms (the words – and, or, not)
Analysing information
Reaching conclusions
Application of questionnaires in the workplace
Basic representative sampling techniques
Recognition of realistic response rates to questionnaires
How to design effective questions and response options
The importance of structure and appearance in questionnaire design
Pilot surveys to test reliability and validity
Administration of questionnaires by post, telephone or interview
Simple techniques for analysing the results of questionnaires